Return plumbing

[Cymonous]

I have a 65g cycling with a 20L sump. I am using clear tubing from the return pump to a barbed inlet off the bulkhead from the bottom of the DT. I have tried using zip ties to hold the tubing to the return pump, but the tube keeps coming off. Does saltwater eat zip ties? Because I was sure the zip ties were tight, but they were pretty loose this morning when I found the tube off again.

My DT has a corner overflow with one drain and one return in the same corner. I have the drain going straight down to the sump. The return has the clear tubing going across the sump to the other end of the tank for the return pump.

What else can I use to keep the clear tubing attached to the return pump?

I can't use metal clamps correct?

 

[RobinsonFam1]

dont use stainless clamps. they typically will rust etc...

get rid of the hose barb and use pipe. sounds like you could be using the wrong size hose too. i know that with my hoses/barbed fittings i cant hardly get the hoses off without cutting.

 

[Cymonous]

I kinda figured on the clamps, just double-checking.

The clear tubing stays on the barbs no problem on the bulkhead to the DT. I have no hose barb on the return pump. The tubing just goes over the outlet of the return pump. It has a bit of a snug fit. I tried a tubing one size smaller and it would not fit over the outlet of the pump.

 

[fishgate]

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/catalog/product/view/id/1711/

 

[RobinsonFam1]

are you using the stock/factory fitting on the pump? which return pump are you using?

ive seen it several times before where the supplied hose barbs dont work/fit. replace the factory one with a new one from hardware store that does fit the hose. you may have to get adapters etc to make it all fit the pump

 

[Cymonous]

Fishgate: I believe that is what I need. Thanks!

Robinson: I got this pump used and the outlet I am using is part of the casing. It is not threaded on the inside or outside of this outlet.

 

[Cymonous]

Fishgate: I know those may be easier to assemble and tighten, but do you know if those are the same material as zip ties? Does anyone know if saltwater dissolves zip ties? Or the reason the zip ties loosened up?

 

[Shaummy]

If the hose is coming off the pump, then the clamps above aren't going to help that, since there is no barb on the outlet to hold the vinyl on there. In other words it's too smooth to hold it in place long term.

Without knowing what kind of pump it's a little tough to figure out a solution for you. Any chance you can snap a picture? There must be ways to get it converted to a barbed fitting from what you have now.

 

[Cymonous]

Sorry, I forgot to mention that part. It is a Rio pump. I have attached a picture of what it looks like. I am using the outlet on the top of the pump.

 

[fishgate]

Fishgate: I know those may be easier to assemble and tighten, but do you know if those are the same material as zip ties? Does anyone know if saltwater dissolves zip ties? Or the reason the zip ties loosened up?

They are hard plastic. I don't think they dissolve in saltwater and are inert. I use them in my tank but none below the waterline.

I think you could also use SS worm clamps just make sure they are 100% stainless including the screw part.

 

[crazylawyer]

I have no experience with the new Rios, but plenty with the older models. The outlet is metric. Rios were sold with friction fit hose barbs that slipped onto the outlet and gave you 1/2-3/4" barbs. Assuming this is still the case, check with Rio or the importer for a replacement barb. Alternatively, try using a metric tubing-generally provided by Ehiem, sold by most of the online stores. Stainess hose clamps will probably work. They will rust over time, but are cheap to replace.

 

[Cymonous]

If I go with the clamp, can I maybe wrap it or cover it? Can you use something like Saran wrap (Edited) in a saltwater tank? I already have the SS clamps and if I can use them safely, I would rather use what I already have.

 

[sleepydoc]

There are different grades of stainless steel. Most SS clamps will rust in salt water. Not quite sure how you plan to use Saran Wrap, but I can't think of a way that would significantly change anything. (AFAIK Saran Wrap is safe to use in tanks, though )

 

[Cymonous]

With the clamp in place, just above the top of the pump. I would wrap the whole clamp with saran wrap to help prevent saltwater from reaching the clamp.

 

[MrIcky]

get a short length of pvc pipe and use pvc glue to glue it to the pump. then get a slip to hose barb adapter and pvc glue that to the other end of the pvc pipe.

 

[Dapg8gt]

^^ that. Just bring pump to hardware store and test fit a piece of PVC over it and glue it on with adapters to hose barb fitting of choice

 

[RobinsonFam1]

which rio?

go to taam rio website and get the correct parts is my suggestion if you cant get any hoses to fit it.