having trouble connecting 1.5" hose to adapters

[rockypandora]

Hi all, I have an UltraKlean 2500 UV filter kit between my Aquascape aquaforce 2700 pump and my Big Bahama Filter Falls. Between all of these parts is 1.5" diameter corrugated hose. To attach the hose to the UV filter, the kit came with these barbs that you saw off the skinny parts and you end up with the size barb you need to go into your hose. However, to get the right size barb into the hose, I have had to use a blow dryer and boiling hot water to warm up the hose enough to wrangle it over that barb. One of them just broke and I scraped my hands up badly trying to get that stupid hose over a new barb. There has to be an easier way to do pond plumbing.

I called Webb's water gardening and they mentioned a metric hose that is slightly larger but that they are out of stock. They said it was green but I can't find that anywhere on line. Does anyone have any suggestions about where I can purchase better fitting barbs or hose? The barbs shown coming out of the top of this filter are the kind I'm talking about: https://www.amazon.com/Aquascape-95...ical-Sterilizer/dp/B00GMOI7JE?ref_=ast_sto_dp

 

[poconojoe]

I have struggled exactly the way you have described. I even used a slightly smaller barb fitting and added layers of electrical tape until the hose fit.

But, I have to say that most of that so-called pond hose, the corrugated type you describe, is crap. It is short lived and will leak or quickly split open. I went through a few rolls of that stuff and then I discovered schedule 40 flex PVC. Flex PVC will be the last hose you will buy. It's walls are thick and it's completely compatible with all rigid PVC fittings, primer and glue. For connections that you want to be removable, use rubber Fernco couplings. Flex PVC comes in white or black. I prefer black, which is less noticeable.

 

[Lisak1]

Agree 100%. I don't know why they persist in selling pond equipment with low quality, hard to use hose and couplings. There's nothing better or easier to use than flex PVC. Glue the fittings if it's appropriate or, like @poconojoe said, use Fernco for anything that you many want to remove in the future.

 

[j.w]

and welcome @rockypandora

 

[rockypandora]

That's so helpful and good to hear that I'm not the only one. I looked it all up on Amazon, though I have bought a few wrong parts for the pond this way because I have trouble figuring out exactly what I need until I get the wrong thing. I would love to purchase from a pond supplier who "knows". Anyone have any good leads for me?

 

[poconojoe]

You can usually find hose barbs and other fittings in hardware stores, Lowe's or Home Depot.
I ordered my 1-1/2" black schedule 40 flex PVC from Amazon. I got a 25 foot roll for $50.

 

[GBBUDD]

There's flexible pvcs then there is crush proof . the crush proof has a clear spiral wrap and is by far the cheaper of the two. Warmth and SOAP liquid soap is tougher to work with just get some on your hand and it's like walking on ice in street shoes. Rub a bar of soap all over it and see if it helps if not go to the heat and liquid soap you can also cut a small bevel on the inside of the pipe and or on the hard fitting from the pump or waterfall spill way. getting it started is 3/4 of the battle.

 

[rockypandora]

Hi Poconojoe, it's me again with the stubborn tubing , I bought the 40 flex PVC recommended by you, poconojoe. This is what I bought, was this correct? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OL8N36/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's not as flexible as I had hoped and my barbed fittings slide in and out of it so the inside diameter is a little too large. I don't think a hose clamp on there would be enough to keep water from spraying out because of how hard and thick the tubing is. Before I return it to Amazon, is there a way I can still us it? I need to order some new fittings anyway to attach it to my filter so maybe if I can find the right ones that will screw into my filter, pump, and waterfall, and fit into this tubing, I won't have to start over.

The fittings I need to screw onto my filter and pump, etc, are these: https://webbsonline.com/Item/95083

The part that screws into the filter rotates independently of the barb that you fit inside it. If there is a better alternative to these, I'd love to know about it.

THanks for any guidance, I hope I can get this resolved soon. Temps are rising next week and my fish are in murky water.

Rochelle

I have struggled exactly the way you have described. I even used a slightly smaller barb fitting and added layers of electrical tape until the hose fit.

But, I have to say that most of that so-called pond hose, the corrugated type you describe, is crap. It is short lived and will leak or quickly split open. I went through a few rolls of that stuff and then I discovered schedule 40 flex PVC. Flex PVC will be the last hose you will buy. It's walls are thick and it's completely compatible with all rigid PVC fittings, primer and glue. For connections that you want to be removable, use rubber Fernco couplings. Flex PVC comes in white or black. I prefer black, which is less noticeable.

 

[rockypandora]

Hi Poconojoe, it's me again with the stubborn tubing , I bought the 40 flex PVC recommended by you, poconojoe. This is what I bought, was this correct? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OL8N36/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's not as flexible as I had hoped and my barbed fittings slide in and out of it so the inside diameter is a little too large. I don't think a hose clamp on there would be enough to keep water from spraying out because of how hard and thick the tubing is. Before I return it to Amazon, is there a way I can still us it? I need to order some new fittings anyway to attach it to my filter so maybe if I can find the right ones that will screw into my filter, pump, and waterfall, and fit into this tubing, I won't have to start over.

The fittings I need to screw onto my filter and pump, etc, are these: https://webbsonline.com/Item/95083

The part that screws into the filter rotates independently of the barb that you fit inside it. If there is a better alternative to these, I'd love to know about it.

THanks for any guidance, I hope I can get this resolved soon. Temps are rising next week and my fish are in murky water.

Rochelle

Uh-oh, maybe I bought the wrong thing, I just found this review on the Amazon site for this product:
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2017
Size: 1.5-Inch by 25-FeetVerified Purchase
This tubing is really high quality...very thick...had to cut it with a hack saw. Definitely the finest quality that we've had for our koi pond...but might actually be bordering on "overkill" for some applications. Not very pliable compared to other tubing that we've had, even when filled with water. More challenging to get down into the water and out-of-sight than other tubing that we've had. Had to use a borderline ludicrous amount of plumber's tape and crank the tubing clamps down like a maniac in order to get the new pond pump barb fittings to not leak and spray water all over - in my estimation, because of the thickness and non-pliable nature of the tubing.

 

[poconojoe]

The schedule 40 flex PVC is the exact outside diameter as normal ridgid PVC. It can be glued using the same primer and glue. It fits into any ridgid PVC fitting of the same size.

Here's what I did... I don't know if it will work for you. It depends on if the threads on the filter are the same threads as a pvc threaded coupling.

I didn't use the barbed fittings. I screwed a threaded PVC coupling directly onto the filter. The threads were the same, I hope your's are the same too.

Then screwed a male PVC adapter into the threaded coupling. You can glue the flex PVC into that if you like, but that would be permanent. If that's ok, then fine.

Or, if you ever need to take the connection apart for maintenance or winterizing, you can use a Fernco coupling.

I wanted the latter, so I glued a short piece of ridgid PVC to the male adapter.

Then I used a rubber Fernco coupling to connect the flex to the ridgid.

I hope this makes sense. I had some pictures, but I deleted them from my phone. I'll have to check if they are backed up on my computer.

 

[brokensword]

Like PJ said; don't use the barbs. Your connections and hose will be vastly superior to what came with your pump. To make getting the hose off the pump easier, consider using a union after the adaptor.

 

[poconojoe]

Like PJ said; don't use the barbs. Your connections and hose will be vastly superior to what came with your pump. To make getting the hose off the pump easier, consider using a union after the adaptor.

Good point. Good lookin' out brokensword!

A union is a more solid and secure way of making a serviceable connection. Far superior than using Fernco couplings.

 

[poconojoe]

And a suggestion to anyone that does use stepped sized barbed fittings like the ones that are linked in post #8:
Those type are designed for several different size hoses. If you're using a hose that fits the larger steps, be sure to cut off the smaller steps or the water will be hitting a restriction. Just use a hacksaw.

 

[GBBUDD]

Thats the only flex you want to use . for a piece of mind the other stuff doesn't hold a candle to the other. Yes it is not super flexible Warming it up can help with it's ability to bend especially this time of year. Those one size fit's all fittings are ok but will fail quickly witha little freeze. getting the correct pvc fitting and plumbing that to a union and then have the union glued ontot the pipe it the only way to go. the ferncos have there place but if you want worry free then its the union and glue. This will allow for maintenance and also shutting down in the fall but keep the gasket in a ziplock bag to keep it from drying out.

 

[poconojoe]

Thats the only flex you want to use . for a piece of mind the other stuff doesn't hold a candle to the other. Yes it is not super flexible Warming it up can help with it's ability to bend especially this time of year. Those one size fit's all fittings are ok but will fail quickly witha little freeze. getting the correct pvc fitting and plumbing that to a union and then have the union glued ontot the pipe it the only way to go. the ferncos have there place but if you want worry free then its the union and glue. This will allow for maintenance and also shutting down in the fall but keep the gasket in a ziplock bag to keep it from drying out.

Great advice!