plumbing done on float

[SE18]

Over the weekend I did some finishing work on the float plumbing. See before and after photos. The green helps prevent CPVC deterioration and sorta kinda blends. A section of pipe is too high so I'm gonna take a heat gun to it to bend it to match the terrain.

 

[taherrmann4]

So by getting rid of the 2x4 it looks like this lowered your pond by 1.5". Are you happy with the effectiveness of the float?

 

[SE18]

Yes, very effective. After reading the Addy post on bogs, I wanted to lower the water level for the plants. Regarding the float, it works best by just turning on the spigot slightly (1/4 turn or so).

 

[addy1]

I used one of those in my arizona pond, it worked for years without an issue. Kept the water at the level needed.

 

[Waterbug]

Every time I see my exposed PVC I think "Boy I have to paint those". Just too lazy.

As a fail safe I use an automatic sprinkler valve to supply the float valve. Timer is set for just 1 minute per day in my case. If the float fails I don't have a flood. And I think the one I have now has failed as the water level seems high. This is in a vanishing type water feature, not really a pond, but same deal.

If you want to bend PVC I have a suggestion that's the cat meow. A heat gun can of course work, but always found it rather difficult. I'd get kinks, burn marks, burned hands. Really hard to keep enough of the pipe warm enough to get good bends.

Here's the video that turned me onto a really great, easy method. I haven't done anything as long as in the video but it does work great, very easy. I've taken to making my own sweep elbows complete with bell ends so no fittings are needed. Sweet.

 

[addy1]

Neat idea! heated sand would work well.

 

[SE18]

waterbug,

That is awesome! This will definitely come in handy with my future projects.

If you just need a few custom and minor curves, the heat gun will work but you have to continually move it around so it doesn't scorch the sides. In about 20 seconds it will suddenly become limp and be pliable for about 20 more seconds.

The only trick I know with sand and tubing is if you want to bend some brass or copper tubing, you can put sand inside, anneal the tubing and bend. this will eliminate kinks

Now, time for you to get your paint bucket!

:razz:

 

[Waterbug]

David, I'll never go back to a heat gun again, no matter the size. I hate to admit it, but I had a pile of PVC removed from a landscaping job and I spent a few hours just bending for fun. OK, I'm a little sick.

I'm not sure the video was clear, in this process you keep the sand inside the PVC during the bend, just like you said with the brass.

Small world. I work with copper a fair amount and some brass too. I never had too much luck with sand. I made my shower bracket using sand and the sand wasn't tight enough and the copper flattened a bit. Since then I switched to using Cerrobend. Hard to mess up, like bending a solid bar. And it'll work with small diameter and thin wall.

 

[SE18]

nice work; I did my own plumbing as well.

By copper, I was referring to the live steam engine I put together, the steam feed lines

 

[j.w]

Very clever idea w/ the sand Waterbug B)

 

[markd]

Nice! Any idea on the temperature of the sand?