Plumbing hoses

[RayAllen]

Where can I get softer plastic or latex hoses from? All the hoses at Home Depot/ Lowes seem to be harder rubber/plastic. I normally use pvc, but I want to use hosing for my return because it eliminates elbows that you get when using pvc. I also need it for my overflow Ace is building.

Thanks
Ray

[edawgm]

Are you talking about something like this? If so I found this at http://www.usplastics.com



Home (http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/default.asp?) << Tubing & Fittings (http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/category.asp?catalog%5Fname=USPlastic&category%5Fname=118&Page=1) << Tubing (http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/category.asp?catalog%5Fname=USPlastic&category%5Fname=18308&Page=1) << Polyurethane Tubing (http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/category.asp?catalog%5Fname=USPlastic&category%5Fname=7512&Page=1) http://www.usplastic.com/images/products/tubing/56500p.jpg Urebrade® Reinforced Polyurethane TubingOpen mesh polyester braiding incorporated within the wall of flexible, ether-based polyurethane. Offers much greater pressure capability then unreinforced polyurethane tubing. Resistant to weathering, tearing, impact, abrasion, radiation exposure, oils, greases, and fuels. Containers no plasticizer which could migrate and cause flow contamination or tube hardening. Naturally transparent for visual contact with the flow. Resists attack from UV rays making it a good material for outside use. NSF 61 listed. Temp. range: -90°F to 175°F. Priced per foot; sold in 10 ft. intervals only.

Other InformationPage ToolsCatalog Page Number: P-265
http://www.usplastic.com/images/printepageicon.jpg Print This Page (http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=USPlastic&category%5Fname=7512&product%5Fid=8376#)
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This product is available in following variations: Item No.DescriptionSold ByIn StockWorking PressureStd LgtList PriceQty 56504 (http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/variant.asp?catalog%5Fname=USPlastic&category%5Fname=7512&product%5Fid=8376&variant%5Fid=56504)Reinforced Polyurethane Tubing: 3/4" ID Nom. x 1-1/32" OD Nom.
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FootYes (http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=USPlastic&category%5Fname=7512&product%5Fid=8376#)100 PSI at 70 degrees F.- 19 lbs. per 100 ft.100'$3.9056505 (http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/variant.asp?catalog%5Fname=USPlastic&category%5Fname=7512&product%5Fid=8376&variant%5Fid=56505)Reinforced Polyurethane Tubing: 1" ID Nom. x 1-19/64" OD Nom.
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FootYes (http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=USPlastic&category%5Fname=7512&product%5Fid=8376#)80 PSI at 70 degrees F.- 26 lbs. per 100 F.100'$5.7056506 (http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/variant.asp?catalog%5Fname=USPlastic&category%5Fname=7512&product%5Fid=8376&variant%5Fid=56506)Reinforced Polyurethane Tubing: 1-1/4" ID Nom. x 1-23/32 OD Nom.
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FootYes (http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=USPlastic&category%5Fname=7512&product%5Fid=8376#)75 PSI at 70 degrees F.- 52 lbs. per 100 ft.100'$9.5556507 (http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/variant.asp?catalog%5Fname=USPlastic&category%5Fname=7512&product%5Fid=8376&variant%5Fid=56507)Reinforced Polyurethane Tubing: 1-1/2" ID Nom. x 1-15/16" OD Nom.
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FootYes (http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=USPlastic&category%5Fname=7512&product%5Fid=8376#)50 PSI at 70 degrees F.- 57 lbs. per 100 ft.100'$10.8256508 (http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/variant.asp?catalog%5Fname=USPlastic&category%5Fname=7512&product%5Fid=8376&variant%5Fid=56508)Reinforced Polyurethane Tubing: 2" ID Nom. x 2-1/2" OD Nom.
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FootYes (http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=USPlastic&category%5Fname=7512&product%5Fid=8376#)250 PSI at 70 degrees F.- 6 lbs. per 100 ft.100'$1.2656501 (http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/variant.asp?catalog%5Fname=USPlastic&category%5Fname=7512&product%5Fid=8376&variant%5Fid=56501)Reinforced Polyurethane Tubing: 3/8" ID Nom. x 5/8" OD Nom.
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[MissT]

Home Depot should have the vinyl tubing that is fine for this... I don't know if this is what you were originally talking about, but I've always had luck when using it, especially when plumbing off Mag pumps. The flexible PVC/ Spaflex is way too rigid for returns but good for drain plumbing, but the Vinyl usually works really well for that sort of thing.

[erikharrison]

The vinyl is a pain to stretch at first. I have some wide blade scissors that I put in the end to expand the tubing to fit over an end. I think that stuff Ernest posted is food grade vinyl, it's used alot to run tubing from the concentrated soda boxes through a carbonation system. I would say that you just have to look at the inner to outer diameter ratio and maybe look for one that's thinner.

[RayAllen]

Erik it is a pain to stretch. Im going to just use pvc on the return. Hopefully i manage to go to HD only once, lol.

[Bill S]

Home Depot sells the reinforced tubing. I've used it quite extensively. So far, no problems on the drain side of things.

[erikharrison]

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Try to not use as many elbows as possible! Use 45s instead!

[captexas]

You want softer tubing that is more flexible? What size? I've found small rolls of 3/4in. inside diameter black tubing sold at Home Depot that is actually labeled for aquarium use. It is usually sitting on one of the lower shelves. I've used it a lot on all my tanks over the years.

[caferacermike]

Yeah HDepot sells everything you need. You don't need braided line as your system is not going to contain any pressure that could cause any bursting. If you have issues getting it to fit on a barb, boil some water and dip the end into the boiling water for just a few seconds.

[captexas]

I always hated using that braided high pressure tubing. It's hard to get on the barb connectors and the trying to get them back off is almost impossible. Plus they are clear so light gets through and helps algae grow inside.

[txstateunivreefer]

with any vinyl tubing what i do is fill my bathtub with HOT water then dip it in there afterwards whlie it is cooling hold it in the position that you want it and it will change its "memory shape"

[jroescher]

If the weather is good, just lay it out in the sun.

[mojo]

You can also bake it in the oven at 350 for around 5 minutes, but wear some gloves when you take it out!