Return Pump connection - what should I do to secure?

[daverf]

Of all the stupid noob things I have done...

I woke up this morning to the GFO tripped, no tank circulation, and a stand full of 2" of water. See the pic, I have an in sump return pump that connecting to braided vinyl tubing, then to pvc for my return. The braided vinyl tube has a screw-on metal clamp on the side that connects to the barb fitting for the PVC pipe, but I didn't use a metal clamp for the barb fitting on the pump. I didn't want to put a metal clamp in the saltwater. Well I paid for not having that end secure, as this is what broke down. The return pump barb fitting came loose from the vinyl tubing, and shot water out until the GFO got wet.

I got lucky that nothing died. And that my stand bottom is lined with PVC.

What should I do to secure the pump barb fitting to the vinyl tubing? Too bad I didn't silicone it before I filled the tank with water.

View attachment 8495

 

[Dr.DiSilicate]

Show the pic to ace hardware. They'll have a plastic clamp thingies. Can not remember the name. $.50 each.

 

[CRW Reef]

Supposedly you can use stainless steel clamps with the number 300 on them as they are pure stainless steel and don't have any nickel plating. However I would use plastic hose clamps if it were me. Not sure if ace, Lowe's or homedepot sells them but here is what I'm talking about.

http://www.marinedepot.com/Plastic_...Tubing-Plumbing_Parts-FT1513-FIFTTUHC-vi.html

 

[Haulin Oates]

If you can get it tight enough, you can use a zip tie right under one of the barbs. I ran a tank over a year that way without issue.

 

[Cake_Boss]

Show the pic to ace hardware. They'll have a plastic clamp thingies. Can not remember the name. $.50 each.

I don't think Lowes or HD sell them, Ace or McGuckin Hardware is where I've bought them.

If you can get it tight enough, you can use a zip tie right under one of the barbs. I ran a tank over a year that way without issue.

You're stronger than me, because I can't get those things tight enough. I always get a leak, but the crap ones that came with the TLF reactor hold up quite well

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[daverf]

Thanks again, everyone. Since I had the flood, maybe I should try the clamp, just to be safe. I'll head to Ace and see if I can find one.

 

[Haulin Oates]

You're stronger than me, because I can't get those things tight enough. I always get a leak, but the crap ones that came with the TLF reactor hold up quite well

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I have man hands!! No I'm a diesel mechanic so we have the good ones and I use them everyday!!

 

[freedominco]

I would get rid of the soft tubing all together and replace it with pvc.

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[daverf]

The whole reason I didn't PVC to the pump is because of the barbed fitting it has. I have the Quiet One below. I thought I'd have to convert to flex for the first part of the plumbing. But maybe I'll take the piece with me to the hardware store and see if they have a threaded piece that I can plumb PVC from?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004OWYY3O/ref=wms_ohs_product

 

[Haulin Oates]

I'm not familiar with those pumps but most outlets screw out and you can screw in a pipe fitting.

 

[mortimersnerd]

Most fish stores carry the little plastic clamps. You can get them plenty tight with a pair of channel locks. Even stainless will rust in saltwater-it just takes longer.

 

[daverf]

OK I got rid of the flex tubing and PVC'd it all the way to the pump thread. That's what I call jumping from 75% to 99.999% confidence (instead of just 90%). Never would have thought to do it if I didn't throw this question out there. Thanks hombres!!!