is spa flex ok t use?

[JeffDubya]

First, for the sake of discussion... the stuff with ridges in not "Spa-Flex." Spa-Flex is a patented, flexible PVC product. The stuff with ridges is just flexible hose.

Even if you can fins flexible hose with a smooth interior, keep in mind that unless you buy special fittings, you will not be able to get as secure of a seal as using true spa-flex. And even then, since PVC essentially welds plastic parts together, getting anything close will be difficult.

In fairness, the flexible hosing you guys have referred to more than once probably is more easily manipulated and bent than spa-flex. But I have been completely amazed at what a wonderful, versatile product SF has been for me in my projects.

Keep in mind that with the ribbed interior flexible hose, you WILL get a build up of detritus, and in the long run that will become a nitrate factory, or worse.

Even if it's harder to find or more expensive to purchase, buying the real spa flex will be better in the long run. With the other you risk loss of livestock, failure of materials, and eventually - doing the whole project over, and doubling your expenses (or more.)

 

[JeffDubya]

Can sort of see it in this picture. Mine has white ridges as opposed to blue.

Looks like you're using a little of both...

 

[Toddrtrex]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11161224#post11161224 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JeffDubya
Looks like you're using a little of both...

Yea, the "real" spa flex is for my return. The stuff shown in the OP, is for my drain.

 

[JeffDubya]

Probably smart, much more head pressure in that line than in the drain

 

[Toddrtrex]

Yea, the drain part is just slipped onto the end of the bulk head. Will try to get a close up picture of that.

EDIT -- here is the picture.
The one on the left is the drain.

 

[spoon671]

My hoses came pre-fabbed from Marineland.

 

[bureau13]

I don't think "real spa flex" will suit the OP's purposes. Its not really all that flexible, compared to other flex tubing, its just flexible compared to hard PVC. Other than that however the stuff is great, I've used it extensively.

jds

 

[spoon671]

https://www.marineland.com/store/1-14-Flexible-Hose---30-for-Tidepool-SOS-P377C0.aspx

This may or may not work for you.

 

[seagirl]

thanks guys. i went to HD last night and tried out the white stuff, it just wasn't flexible enough to give me the up and down movement i need.

thanks for the link spoon- so that stuff has not grooves on the inside?

Toddrtrex- where did you get the clear hose with the white rings?

 

[spoon671]

No grooves on the inside. I think that it's the grooves on the outside that give my hoses it's flexability. They are pretty flexable and will not kink.

 

[Grevious]

I picked up some 1" Spa-Flex from Home Depot yesterday and used it to plumb my overflow into my ReefFlo 250. It was very easy to work with and no leaks. I will def. use this stuff in the future for plumbing. Highly recommend.

 

[spoon671]

Grevious, please tell us what types of fittings/glue you used to build it all. Thanks...

 

[RokleM]

Real spa-flex uses standard fittings. It is literally flexible PVC with all the same dimensions as much as possible. I've always taken Savko's advice and use IPS Weld-On PVC 795 (cement for flexible and rigid pvc pipe). It however does not carry the NSF seal. Standard NSF primer can be used. Installation is the same as normal PVC with some exceptions. The "easiest" way to install is glue both pieces as usual and give it a twist in. However, some claim that will cause issues. I try to push it in like normal, and if I have to twist I go equal in both directions. I have yet to have anything leak.

Just my 2 cents...

 

[Grevious]

I used the same primer and pvc cement that I have used on the hard PVC. Pushed it together tight, no twists. Again this was such an easy process that I will most likely plumb all future equipment with the Spa-flex. $2.20 per foot at HD in Cincinnati.

 

[kdblove_99]

Seagirl,

You can use a heatgun on the spa flex and make it do what you want

I got mine at Lowes for like $2.09 a sq ft but savko sells it for i think around $.89cents a SQ FT

 

[spoon671]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11180370#post11180370 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kdblove_99
Seagirl,

You can use a heatgun on the spa flex and make it do what you want

This is true. You can get a heat gun for less than $15 and don't be ascared. Think of it as a super hairdryer.

 

[Grevious]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11181471#post11181471 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spoon671
This is true. You can get a heat gun for less than $15 and don't be ascared. Think of it as a super hairdryer.

:lol: "Super Hair-Dryer"