How to connect spa flex?

silverwolf72 · 06-25-2006, 05:22 PM

How do you connect spa flex to your pvc fittings? Where is the best place to get the proper fitting? Went to Home Depot yesturday and figured out that they use the OD for their pvc. Never thought doing the plumbing would be this hard to figure out. This is last thing I need to figure out before I can finally add water to my tank.

BoomerD · 06-25-2006, 05:52 PM

IIRC, there is a special PVC cement for Spa-Flex. I've used the regular low VOC stuff for low pressure connections however.

silverwolf72 · 06-25-2006, 05:56 PM

do you use a barb connectoin or or glue it strait to a union?

Kensn · 06-25-2006, 06:46 PM

It is glued in the same manner as rigid, you use the same fittings.

Charlie97L · 06-25-2006, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverwolf72

do you use a barb connectoin or or glue it strait to a union?

yeah, barb is really only for the bendy clear tubing. edit: vinyl! that's what i was thinking of.

cracker · 06-25-2006, 07:21 PM

In my experience with pvc flex it is a little more difficult to get a proper seal than rigid. use extra glue and allow extra time for it to cure properly.

Kensn · 06-25-2006, 09:53 PM

I think it is important to let it soften with the glue before inserting it into the fitting, and getting it into the fitting fully.

Scouter Steve · 06-25-2006, 11:03 PM

You are all saying glue, I'll have to go the other way and say barb fitting. I just did it on my 120 with 1 1/4 and 3/4 spa flex.

BoomerD · 06-25-2006, 11:30 PM

While you MAY be able to use a barbed fitting with spa-flex, it's not how it was meant to be used. You use it in place of rigid PVC, and treat it the same. Never hurts to "pre-soften" it with primer before gluing either. Then, apply glue to both the tubing and inside of the fitting, put together with a good twist to spread the glue evenly and reduce the possibility of leaks, and hold it together with pressure for a couple of minutes till the glue sets a bit. Probably not necessary, but I've had it try to back out a couple of times, so I do it that way...

Kensn · 06-25-2006, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scouter Steve

You are all saying glue, I'll have to go the other way and say barb fitting. I just did it on my 120 with 1 1/4 and 3/4 spa flex.

I suppose you could.. But it is made to replace rigid, and use the same fittings... Barbs are going to knock down the ID some....

06-25-2006, 05:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
silverwolf72 Fire Coral Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lake Forest California Posts: 64 View Gallery Karma Komment	How to connect spa flex? How do you connect spa flex to your pvc fittings? Where is the best place to get the proper fitting? Went to Home Depot yesturday and figured out that they use the OD for their pvc. Never thought doing the plumbing would be this hard to figure out. This is last thing I need to figure out before I can finally add water to my tank.

06-25-2006, 05:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
BoomerD Reef Shark Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 5,637 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How to connect spa flex? IIRC, there is a special PVC cement for Spa-Flex. I've used the regular low VOC stuff for low pressure connections however. __________________ Intelligence is not knowing all the answers, but knowing where and how to find them! www.google.com

06-25-2006, 05:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
silverwolf72 Fire Coral Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lake Forest California Posts: 64 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How to connect spa flex? do you use a barb connectoin or or glue it strait to a union?

06-25-2006, 06:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
Kensn Reef Lobster Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Auburn Wa. Posts: 1,252 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How to connect spa flex? It is glued in the same manner as rigid, you use the same fittings. __________________ Ken When the ebbing tide retreats Along the rocky shoreline It leaves a trail of tidal pools In a short-lived galaxy Rush

06-25-2006, 07:21 PM	#6 (permalink)
cracker Acropora Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: North East Florida Posts: 1,787 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How to connect spa flex? In my experience with pvc flex it is a little more difficult to get a proper seal than rigid. use extra glue and allow extra time for it to cure properly.

06-25-2006, 09:53 PM	#7 (permalink)
Kensn Reef Lobster Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Auburn Wa. Posts: 1,252 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How to connect spa flex? I think it is important to let it soften with the glue before inserting it into the fitting, and getting it into the fitting fully. __________________ Ken When the ebbing tide retreats Along the rocky shoreline It leaves a trail of tidal pools In a short-lived galaxy Rush

06-25-2006, 11:03 PM	#8 (permalink)
Scouter Steve Neon dottyback Join Date: May 2006 Location: Somers Wisconsin (Kenosha County) Posts: 683 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How to connect spa flex? You are all saying glue, I'll have to go the other way and say barb fitting. I just did it on my 120 with 1 1/4 and 3/4 spa flex.

06-25-2006, 11:30 PM	#9 (permalink)
BoomerD Reef Shark Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 5,637 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How to connect spa flex? While you MAY be able to use a barbed fitting with spa-flex, it's not how it was meant to be used. You use it in place of rigid PVC, and treat it the same. Never hurts to "pre-soften" it with primer before gluing either. Then, apply glue to both the tubing and inside of the fitting, put together with a good twist to spread the glue evenly and reduce the possibility of leaks, and hold it together with pressure for a couple of minutes till the glue sets a bit. Probably not necessary, but I've had it try to back out a couple of times, so I do it that way... __________________ Intelligence is not knowing all the answers, but knowing where and how to find them! www.google.com

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