Does anyone else hate plumbing your tank as much as me?

[mnestroy]

So I purchased an external skimmer. Its supposed to be fed 1-1.5x tank volume per hour... I wanted to feed the skimmer from my overflow to get the greatest concentration of surface skim.

Well several hours into this I am ready to break something

Overflow Uses 1" Barbed and the skimmer uses 1/2" barbed.

I need to put a T in the drain line so I can send some water to sump, some to skimmer...(until i get the right 1-1.5x feed volume)

Well I went to Home Depot, and Mendards and both don't carry half the items I need. I wanted a 1" barbed to 1/2" barbed...

So the only thing I could rig up which is horible is 1" -> 3/4" -> 1/2"

My next issue is using all these adapaters etc the hoses start to crimp.

My final complaint is my skimmers output drain is 1 1/4" which I couldn't find any hoses or pvc adapters. I suppose I could use hard PVC but I like the flexibility of a hose.

If anyone has any advice to offer please help, I know my post is all over the place but I have so many issues I don't even know where to begin.

 

[phil5613]

1 inch threaded t with the 1/2 inch barb would work

 

[mnestroy]

Is there a place local to get these adapters?

 

[mnestroy]

Anyone know of any sites or stores that sell 1" barbed to 1/2" barbed?

 

[RobChuck]

Check with Savko.com I've ordered all of my plumbing parts through them and actually enjoy doing plumbing projects when I can easily find all of the parts I need online and not in jumbled aisles like at Menards or Home Depot.

 

[phil5613]

Between Home Depot and my local ACE I find most of my stuff. I have used the 1 inch T and the barb combo before worst case get a standard T and glue the threaded plug in for the barb

 

[Papajin]

I second the savko recommendation! You'll get your items next day (assuming you order early in the day) using their standard shipping. You'll save money, and they have a better selection that anyplace I've been locally. Just plan your plumbing out as best you can before ordering so you don't have to order 8 times.

 

[hansnfrans]

Savko and Ace. Ace usually has all the plumbing stuff you'd need.