Plumbing Question

Does it make any real difference if you use tubing instead of hard plumbing the overflow and return? Are there any advantages/disadvantages of either?

 

Don't quote me i could totally be wrong but i think one advantage of tubing is you aren't having 90 degree bends which add to head pressure. I'm trying to figure out plumbing and hopefully doing it tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes or what else i find out. I would like to use all pvc for neatness which is an advantage. With tubing if you get clear you can see a blockage and fix it, but make sure you have ball valves or you lower your water table to prevent a mess. Just a few thoughts nothing concrete but looked like you needed a response.

 

I use tubing for my drains and returns- in my case it works well because- yes- no 90 degree bends to kill flow. I only have slight bends which the tubing can handle. Depends how you have your sump set up, though.

 

I agree the 90's arent good on head pressure but, what tubing are you using? If you use any kind of clear tubing you will have algae build up in them.

 

Soft plumbing:
Advantages; MUCH easier to install, Fewer hard bends for less head pressure, quiets vibrations in the plumbing.
Disadvantages; prone to kinking if not using spa-flex or reinforced hose, algae buildup in clear tubing.

 

I'm tagging in on this one gonna try to pick you brains a little for me to plumb my 125RR DT to my 40b sump. Is there any advatage of the pvc the besides neatness? I plan putting ballvalves off the bulkheads. Had planned on pvc but its a lot of work I have never done b4. I think reinfoced tubing might be better?

 

I think the differences have been answered correctly.Never add A ball valve to the overflow only the return.

 

Why is that ?

 

You never want to restrict the overflow with a valve or excess fittings. It is the return pump that determines your overflow and return rate, the overflow box will flow what the pump feeds it and balance out.

I use a mix of PVC and reinforced vinyl tubing. I like that tubing can have gradual bends for less head loss. A disadvantage of tubing is the inside diameter or the barbed fittings causes a restriction so to get around this I always upsize the tubing at least one size so the inside diameter or the barbed nipple does not cause as much head loss.
If I need 3/4" I use 1", if in need 1" I use 1.25 or 1.5" etc.

 

Because if you limit your overflow too much, you'll overflow your DT.