Good quality thick wall tubing should do the trick with less friction loss and chance of collapse. I dont know if they have Spaflex in 3/4, but its neat stuff,compatable with std fittings. The cheap thin wall vinyl tubing is prone to collapse and clear gets nasty looking algae build up in it as well

 

Okay, so now Im ready to do all the final plumbing since moving everything. I have to set the line going from the overflow box and the return line from the sump to the spray bar. Its all 3/4. Wich would be better, flexible tubing or PVC? Im thinking PVC for the added security of cemented joints and the overall strength, but flex tubing wouuld seem to offer better water movement with no 90s. Opinions and experiance please! Thanks.

Robert

Like Doug, I don't know if spa flex comes in 3/4" or not, I haven't seen this size anyway. You can run 1" if you wish however. Come off the pump with a 3/4" to 1" fitting and then run 1" spa flex. If you decide that you want regular PVC at any point then you can simply change it using a 1" union.

If you go with clear tubing make sure that you wrap it with something (I wrapped mine with electrical tape but duct tape would be good too), this will help to keep the algae build up down.
Steve

 

I used flexible PVC from savko.com for most of my plumbing. It uses std fittings and you can avoid 90s. It also helps isolate pump vibrations. I love the stuff.

 

If your using PVC you can use 45's instead of 90's (when possible) to reduce head pressure.

 

Thanks everyone, tomorrow Ill go a shopin! See what I can find in the flexable stuff. Thanks again.

Robert

 

We always use schedule 40 PVC. We also use 90 degree elbows occasionally - if the tank has 2 overflows... otherwise we go straight up. However I've had no problem with 90 degree angles, often we have to torque the return pump back anyway... so no problems with flow.

I've seen a few people express concern with elbows but if it's only a 4' head and there is "enough" pump, this should not be a problem, IMO.

Jenn