Project 58!! (Image intense)

[Maxx]

The open ports in the back were originally plumbed w/ more Spa flex...since I had it lying around. But that was a huge PITA so I'm going w/ rigid PVC for them. I also managed to figure out how I could best configure the return from the pump to the OM unit to limit stress, and work around my other equipment....like my skimmer. Things were just humming along, until I ran out of parts...
I need two more 45 degree elbows in 1" diameter and more 1" PVC.
I havent taken any pics of that part just yet. I want to wait til I'm finished w/ dry fitting the pieces.....hopefully tomorrow or Sunday.
Nick

[Craig Manoukian]

[Witfull]

looking real good!

[strat]

yeah. looking great!

(nice hands too)



strat

[Maxx]

LOL Strat...
She's been hinting that her hand would look better w/ a ring on the finger...........wish I could DIY that.
Nick

[Curtswearing]

LOL bud....I've missed some of this thread.

Ya got my number when some two-person jobs are in order.

BTW...Lookin' great!!!

PS....on the whole ring thing...don't forget I have connections.

[Maxx]

Thanks Curt,
I was just teasing. Your help has already been invaluable. I have a wedding to photogragh tonight, so no new updates beyond what is already up. I'm back on days again so I will attempt to get the remaining supplies tomorrow after work. I plan on buying extra just to be on the safe side, and to have some practice pieces.
Nick

[strat]

well you could DIY the ring, but it might not go over too well if she finds out, lol. its amazing how much weddings cost. here i was thinking in my brain dress, rings, and honeymoon. theres a heckuva lot more i found out. shoes, hair thing, makeup, hairstyling, blablabla, yikes, im glad its over for me. now i can save up for my tank

take care man

strat

[Travis]

Glad to see I'm not the only one who's been in plumbing hell.

I have been practicing a good 1-1.5 week "pouting" period every time something goes wrong. The plumbing guy at home depot must think I'm stalking him or something by now... LOL. No project lasts this long!!!

Anyway, I do have a Q for ya.

I got some spa-flex also for the return, and find it just as... well, uncompromising. It seems like gluing the spa-flex into rigid pvc would be a very tight squeeze. Do you think the boiling water thing would be a good idea before gluing it into rigid PVC as well?

T

[Maxx]

now i can save up for my tank

yeah, see I'm trying to get that part of it out of the way first....then I can be broke and accept it. Well........thats the theory anyway.....

The plumbing guy at home depot must think I'm stalking him or something by now

Travis, thats hilarious! Mine knows me by name....sigh, its never pretty....

I got some spa-flex also for the return, and find it just as... well, uncompromising. It seems like gluing the spa-flex into rigid pvc would be a very tight squeeze. Do you think the boiling water thing would be a good idea before gluing it into rigid PVC as well?

Honestly, I think it would work, but I dont think its what you want to do. I'm not really 100% sure, but I dont think that the glue will seal the deal with the Spa flex. I would think a better deal would be to buy a slip/Female Pipe Thread (FPT), adapter in the correct size and a Male Pipe Thread (MPT) / Barbed adapter. The Slip end on the Slip/FPT adapter gets glued to your rigid PVC. The MPT part of the MPT/Barbed adapter screws into the FPT part of the slip/FPT adapter which leaves the barbed end to connect (with the boiling water) to the Spa-flex. Make sense?
Nick

[Travis]

Wow Nick, I heard just the opposite... that the spa-flex never really takes to a barb fitting and it should be glued like PVC. One of us is gonna have a leak.

[mps9506]

Originally posted by Travis
Wow Nick, I heard just the opposite... that the spa-flex never really takes to a barb fitting and it should be glued like PVC. One of us is gonna have a leak.

I was told the same as you Travis. I never resorted to spa flex though after trying to help a buddy use it in plumbing. After spending hours wrestling with the stuff, I decided I would never use it ahgain, and just deal with the head pressures by going with a bigger pump
Easy way out.

FWIW Travis, we did use boiling water and a heat gun to route the flex pvc where we wanted, and slip in place with pvc glue.
The pvc ALWAYS flexes in the opposite direction you want it to go in.

Mike

[sharks]

WOW looks great Nick
I can't wait to get mine plumbed and see the OM unit in action.
Congrats now lets see the complete dry assembly.

[Craig Manoukian]

Where dem pics Nick?

[Maxx]

Originally posted by Travis
Wow Nick, I heard just the opposite... that the spa-flex never really takes to a barb fitting and it should be glued like PVC. One of us is gonna have a leak.

ROFL......man you have no idea how bad thats gonna make my life! Actually I think I'm gonna cheat and run either Zip ties orplastic hose clamps (if I can find em in plastic and if I can get em to fit.) just to be on the safe side. I was using the barbed adapter on Spa flex on my lil 20 gallon and had no leaks for over a year. But to be fair that wasnt under alot of pressure like this will be either.
After seeing how tightly this has attached, I dont think I'll really have a problem with leaks in all honesty though. I goofed a couple of times when doing the spa flex to barb operation, and had do over........the barbs never came free from the spa flex and ALWAYS needed to be cut loose.....which was am excercise in patience and skill, (two things I'm short on...!)
I'm off tomorrow, so a trip to Lowes or HD for plumbing fittings etc is definately in order. As soon as I have it all dry fitted, pics will follow.
Nick