Plumbing question - Vinyl Tubing vs. Rigid PVC

[rgentry123]

I am going to plumb a new tank this coming weekend and was debating on the pros/cons of going either way. The vinyl tubing seems to be the easiest to setup, but it seems like most people go with rigid PVC so I'm just wondering what the benefits are? My current tank is a mixture of both really, vinyl tubing connects the return pump and then I have pvc connecting to my skimmer and water intake section.

Is there a substantial vibration reduction either way? Or flow reduction? Thanks!

 

[jbvdhp]

Have you tried or thought of using braided vinyl?


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[Potatohead]

I used vinyl tube. It's way cheaper, easier to run, and quieter.

 

[Capiross1]

Think the down side of using vinyl tubbing is it can restrict flow at the fittings quite a bit, why not go with the best of both worlds and do flexible pvc it's not much more then flex tubing

 

[Deefish714]

Think the down side of using vinyl tubbing is it can restrict flow at the fittings quite a bit, why not go with the best of both worlds and do flexible pvc it's not much more then flex tubing

+1 I use flex pvc on all tanks. rigid when need to be. but also flexible

 

[rgentry123]

I'm fine with braided vinyl as well. I would go the flex pvc but I don't have anywhere that sells it locally and I want to stay on schedule for a transfer this weekend.

 

[Bent]

Flex PVC.

 

[soulpatch]

I'm fine with braided vinyl as well. I would go the flex pvc but I don't have anywhere that sells it locally and I want to stay on schedule for a transfer this weekend.

Home Depot sells spa flex in various diameters to meet our needs for the tank plumbing.

 

[rgentry123]

Home Depot sells spa flex in various diameters to meet our needs for the tank plumbing.

Ok, there is a HD a little further away but still a reasonable distance so I'll check them out.

 

[Capiross1]

I'm fine with braided vinyl as well. I would go the flex pvc but I don't have anywhere that sells it locally and I want to stay on schedule for a transfer this weekend.

I seen some 1 inch at lowes just a couple days ago it's right with the vinyl stuff, what's funny is I've asked them before if they sell it and I was told no I think a lot of people don't know what it is so it wouldn't hurt to just go look

 

[Wazzel]

Vinyl tubing has a smaller ID than PVC and the fittings have an even smaller ID so lots of flow losses.

Spa-flex also has a smaller ID and rougher surface than rigid PVC so the losses are greater for the same length of pipe.

While it may seem like it is better to remove fittings to save head, in most cases you are better of going with rigid.

 

[jgraz]

Amazon. you will not find the ultra flex and cheaper then there. The spa flex is still to stiff for our purposes. Ultra is the way to go

 

[jrp1588]

I use powerheads for flow, so maximizing my return flow wasn't really that important to me. Vinyl was a lot easier and quicker to set up. I HATE spaflex. That stuff is incredibly rigid to the point of being almost useless in my opinion. I'd hate to force it to bend in a direction it doesn't want to bend in, and have my bulkhead resisting that force. I'm told there is truly flexible PVC out there that is great to work with, but Spaflex ain't it.

 

[jgraz]

Vinyl tubing has a smaller ID than PVC and the fittings have an even smaller ID so lots of flow losses.

Spa-flex also has a smaller ID and rougher surface than rigid PVC so the losses are greater for the same length of pipe.

While it may seem like it is better to remove fittings to save head, in most cases you are better of going with rigid.

The losses with spa flex are negligible, and only recognized on a runs that use no fittings, the first elbow you use and that gain is gone. The ID is also barely recognizable. Once you move to Ultra flex, rigid cant even come close.

 

[jgraz]

I use powerheads for flow, so maximizing my return flow wasn't really that important to me. Vinyl was a lot easier and quicker to set up. I HATE spaflex. That stuff is incredibly rigid to the point of being almost useless in my opinion. I'd hate to force it to bend in a direction it doesn't want to bend in, and have my bulkhead resisting that force. I'm told there is truly flexible PVC out there that is great to work with, but Spaflex ain't it.

That would be the ultraflex I mentioned. I can't even begin to explain how flexible it is. If I could post a link I would but I'm pretty sure I'll get killed for it lol.

 

[Wazzel]

The losses with spa flex are negligible, and only recognized on a runs that use no fittings, the first elbow you use and that gain is gone. The ID is also barely recognizable. Once you move to Ultra flex, rigid cant even come close.

Not according to the chart. Bends in flex add losses up to 50% more, depending on the severity of the bend. Elbows do not add near the loses people think they do. It is not a foot of loose, per fitting.

 

[d2mini]

I used rigid for most of my new build except for a few inches of silicone tubing (with barbed connectors) at the return pump and at the drain bulkhead to soak up vibrations and allow for less precision on the measuring and cutting of the pvc.
Also allows my true unions ball valves to be connected to pvc pipe, making it sturdier.
Not worried about the little bit of loss from the barb fittings.

 

[plecoco]

I've always used vinyl because it's easy to flex and super cheap.