Clear plastic U-tube

[magma]

Anyone here from the SF bay area know where I can get my hands on some clear plastic U-tubes? I'm having a hard time finding them even on the internet.

thanks

[MikeKimC]

Easy to make your own ... stuff a damp paper towel tightly at one end of a Clear plastic or PVC pipe *I prefer PVC tubing ... no algae * then fill it with dampend sand *as fine as possible* now tap the plugged end gently so the sand packs* and plug the other end of the pipe. Now your ready to bend it! Slowly Rotate the pipe over a heat source *I prefer doing this over a cooking element of a stove* as the pipe gets hot it will distort *start loosing its shape! gently pull and bend it into a U shape! *you need to pull it so it does'nt Kink* when its bent to your satisfaction ... run it under cold water... pull the towels from the ends and rinse the sand out of it ... Now cut it the the size you need and WALLA!!! Instant U tube ... custom fitted to you specs! Try it ... its easy and best of all CHEAP!!!

Mike

[yardboy]

I would say that the clear is best so you can see if there are any bubbles forrming, but mine gets coated with corraline so fast it just as well be opaque to begin with. Thanks for the info, I'd never seen it laid out before.

[yousuredo]

you could use 2x90 degree elbows as well....

[Geoff]

Originally Posted by yardboy

I would say that the clear is best so you can see if there are any bubbles forrming, but mine gets coated with corraline so fast it just as well be opaque to begin with. Thanks for the info, I'd never seen it laid out before.

the reason algae and coralline are in there is because there is light in the tube.

G~

[Doug1]

Originally Posted by Geoff

the reason algae and coralline are in there is because there is light in the tube.

G~

Thats true but if they are so overgrown you can't tell if there are air bubbles in there, you prolly have flow rate issues as well
FWIW I always laid a folded dish towel over my HOB overflow, keeps, dust and noise down, and helps with algae in the tube, somewhat

[yardboy]

Originally Posted by yousuredo

you could use 2x90 degree elbows as well....

I wouldn't say as well, since the transitions aree not as smooth and restrict flow somewhat. I've seen several people try it without as much success.

[Geoff]

Originally Posted by yardboy

I wouldn't say as well, since the transitions aree not as smooth and restrict flow somewhat. I've seen several people try it without as much success.

ohh, ohh this method sucks.

go with a nice round bend. those 2 90degree bends seem to catch air.

G~

[tdwyatt]

PVC plumbing "P" trap. If needed yuu can tapin a vent hole to remove air (I prefer to suck out the air with an installed piece of airline), and will have a smooth radius. I used one for 5 years, and you can run the ID up to 5cm or more.

HTH