pipe sizes

[Margo]

When I started working on my new pond design, I was going to go with the set up I had on my old pond. Using 2" flexible pipe from the skimmer box to the waterfall box. But after much research I've come to think that rigid pipe is better for water flow and that bigger pipe even better still. My pump in the skimmer box has a 2" outlet and all the bulkhead fittings that came with the skimmer and waterfall boxes are I think 2" (although I do need to check for sure, they are in the garage).

So two questions, should I go with the schedule 40 rigid pipe? And should I find a way to make the pipes from the skimmer box to the waterfall box 3" pipe? I could buy 3" bulkhead fittings and not use the 2" that came with it or put on a pipe resizer at either end of the bulkhead but in my mind that would mess up the flow too much.

Thanks
Margo

 

[DrCase]

I like the sch 40 pipe

If your pump has a two inch outlet and is in your skimmer box you are not going to gain a lot going three inch

If your pump was sucking water from your skimmer box the three inch pipe would help a lot

 

[Meyer Jordan]

When I started working on my new pond design, I was going to go with the set up I had on my old pond. Using 2" flexible pipe from the skimmer box to the waterfall box. But after much research I've come to think that rigid pipe is better for water flow and that bigger pipe even better still. My pump in the skimmer box has a 2" outlet and all the bulkhead fittings that came with the skimmer and waterfall boxes are I think 2" (although I do need to check for sure, they are in the garage).

So two questions, should I go with the schedule 40 rigid pipe? And should I find a way to make the pipes from the skimmer box to the waterfall box 3" pipe? I could buy 3" bulkhead fittings and not use the 2" that came with it or put on a pipe resizer at either end of the bulkhead but in my mind that would mess up the flow too much.

Thanks
Margo

Either are fine. I prefer the FlexPVC because it is more versatile. If you need to plumb around an existing object such as a tree, shrub, large rock, etc., Flex is the answer because you can eliminate 45 and 90 elbows which only reduce flow due to head loss. It is also available in up to 100 foot rolls which eliminates the need for any connections that could fail sometime down the road. It costs more, but to me, it is worth it in time saved. Do not confuse FlexPVC with the corrugated flex pipe. Larger pipe only offers an advantage if the pipe run is long, i.e. over 50 feet.Then you may gain some flow.
Additionally changing to 3" bulkhead fittings requires a larger mounting hole. Might prove a tad tricky enlarging the existing hole for the 2" bulkhead fitting to accommodate the 3".

 

[sissy]

I just look at the flexible ones on dr foster and smith .They came down in price .The good ones with out the heavy ribbing and funny thing is the reinforced one are cheaper that the regular ones 2 inch 101 dollars for 50 ft and 2 inch regular is 109 dollars for 50 ft and they are both flexible pvc

 

[RobAmy]

Another vote for the Flex PVC. Great product and worth the cost to me. I have it above and below the ground with no issues. It takes schedule 40fittings also, you need the right glue for it, I use Christy's Red Hot Blue Glue. I use the 2" flex PVC from my skimmer to the waterfall filter. The length is about 50' may be a bit more with 4700gph going thru it.