Tubing or PVC Pipe (Need Qiuick Response)

[Cypress Point Pond]

The preferred sized tubing for my new pump and filter is 1 1/2 corrugated tubing. Will accept 1 1/4. Unfortunately, I'm having a difficult time locating name brand 1 1/2.  Lowes' has a brand called Smart Pond but the price seems too low to be high quality.  Comments please.

What do you think about using PVC pipe instead of flexible tubing?  Comments please.

[Pam]

I don't see why pvc wouldn't work as well, but it's not flexible so the design would have to be very well executed. Not sure what configuration that you are planning. Have you looked at the tubing (hose) in the plumbing section that is sold by the foot? While it's not specifically marketed for ponding, we have some black rubber tubing that I believe is 1.25 that has been in use outdoors for 12 years with no leakage issues. It reminds me of the hose used for auto cooling systems and it's quite flexible. We have replaced the clamps several times in that time period because they get rusty and can't be loosened if needed. The price was amazingly low and in this case I don't think that more expensive provides that much higher quality.

[Cypress Point Pond]

Thank you

[howardTheHumble]

I like to have about two feet of flex tubing between the pump and the rigid PVC.  Look for a product called SPA FLEX.  It is like a hose but has support built in so it does not collapse.   It may be on the expensive side buy you only need a few feet of it.

Use the long sweeping PVC elbows rather then the 90 degree variety.  Each of the 90 degree bends decreases the flow.   Larger pipe helps to reduce flow two.  Maybe look into 2inch instead of 1.5 for the PVC section.  Just a suggestion.

[Cypress Point Pond]

Thank you.

[howardTheHumble]

Just a note.   I wonder why they specified corrugated tubing.  Seems to me that it would reduce the flow over non corrugated.  Maybe because of the flex but you can get several types that flex without corrugation.

[Cypress Point Pond]

Just a note.   I wonder why they specified corrugated tubing.  Seems to me that it would reduce the flow over non corrugated.  Maybe because of the flex but you can get several types that flex without corrugation.

May be because of the 1.5 diameter.

[cmund]

 I know this is an old thread but the corrugated tubing that I've seen, usually marketed as Kink-Free Tubing, is actually smooth inside and corrugated outside. 
Carol

[dperry]

Again, an old thread, but, particularly if you live in warm areas, be wary of burying flexible tubing.  It is known to be attacked by termites, producing multiple pinholes in the tubing.  If you are having trouble with mysterious water losses, live in an area with termites, and have buried flexible tubing (both corrugated and flexible PVC)  suspect tiny pinhole leaks caused by termites burrowing through.
 http://www.riverpoolsandspas.com/blog/bid/28778/Swimming-Pool-Plumbing-Rigid-PVC-vs-Flexible-PVC-Which-is-Better

Don