Tubing Type Help Needed

[Rufnek100]

So the tubing that came with some of the equipment I have thus far purchased is soft and flexible and plays well with others when it comes to handling it.

No problem I say, I'm going to build a nice transfer system with a small pump for my water changes and go down and buy some appropriately sized clear tubing from the local big box store. This tubing does NOT play well with others - it is stiff, won't release its coils no matter which way I twist it, etc.

To the eye they appear to be the same thing but they are obviously made of different materials. Can someone tell me what material to look for and where to get the "good stuff"?

 

[billdogg]

Depends on the size, I suppose.

A good way to get new vinyl tubing to uncoil nicely is to run some very hot water through it and then unroll.

 

[Rufnek100]

Thanks but I tried that and still have same issue once the tubing returns to room temperature. I'm wondering if the soft pliable hoses are made of some thing different - silicone maybe?

 

[billdogg]

What diameter tubing are you talking about? There are some that coil much nicer (python Siphon tubing comes to mind) and some that hardly bend without kinking (eheim green tubing)

Take a look at www.usplastics.com or www.savko.com They might have what you are looking for.

 

[Rufnek100]

5/8" id tubing - interesting you mention the python because I have the water changer and that tubing is so easy manage. The stuff I bought is about the same size (I've got it attached to an Eheim 1000 as a transfer pump) and it's pretty unwieldy.

 

[thegrun]

The very soft tubing you are probably thinking of is made from silicone (Bulk Reef Supply sells it), most aquarium tubing is made from vinyl.

 

[Rufnek100]

Thanks - that's what I thought. I looked at BRS but they don't sell it in 5/8" ID. But I bet I can find it on the web somewhere

 

[Rufnek100]

So an update to my quandary - I sent an email to Python Products today to ask about their tubing and someone called me back about 10 minutes after I sent it (yes, a live human being!)

I spoke with the gentleman, who was very helpful and told me that the tubing from the water changer kit I already have would work just fine for my application if I removed one of the fittings and just stretched the hose over my existing transfer pump.

I got home and tried it out - it works like a champ. He could have tried to sell me some more tubing but he didn't, he just helped me solve my problem. Thought I'd give those guys some props since it's refreshing to get help like that these days.

As a side note, he told me they make the tubing themselves on site from a proprietary formula.

 

[eb2292]

In case you need some more tubing, Home Depot sells vinyl tubing very cheap and its decently easy to manage after you run hot water through it. They carry pretty much all the sizes we would need