Aqua sobriquet
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I’ve read some good comments about using Silicone hose on canister filters. Anyone on here used it? The 16/22 PVC hose I’m using is not very flexible and I’m dreading removing it to clean it out.
Yes the PVC hose is a pain when it ages. You should use a heat gun to soften it up if you have to remove it from a hose barb. Silicone hose is the way to go next time around. Stays completely flexible forever. My advice if you are looking to purchase some is to only buy the thick wall version of the diameter you want. For example amazon sells some 16mm id x 18mm od, not the type you want, and the thick walled 16mm id x 21mm od. The thicker wall is far superior by having a higher burst strength and won't collapse when making tighter bends.I’ve read some good comments about using Silicone hose on canister filters. Anyone on here used it? The 16/22 PVC hose I’m using is not very flexible and I’m dreading removing it to clean it out.
Like these..... apparently there is a time limit on editing one's post???Yes the PVC hose is a pain when it ages. You should use a heat gun to soften it up if you have to remove it from a hose barb. Silicone hose is the way to go next time around. Stays completely flexible forever. My advice if you are looking to purchase some is to only buy the thick wall version of the diameter you want. For example amazon sells some 16mm id x 18mm od, not the type you want, and the thick walled 16mm id x 21mm od. The thicker wall is far superior by having a higher burst strength and won't collapse when making tighter bends.
As a side mote I am a bit paranoid about leaks so I use band clamps at all my connections. I would recommend the non perforated style clamp these
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The standard perforated work but because the silicone is softer than PVC the perforations in the clamp cut into the silicone hose. At best when you need to remove the hose you must cut the damage portion off when it comes time to reinstall and at worst it tears and causes a leak while installed. There are also smooth band plastic clamps like these that might work but I haven't tried them.
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Because silicone tubing has quite a few issues:If silicone hose is ok ,wonder why manafacturers don't adapt this
I disagree with just about every one of your points as from experience have not seen any of them in practice. I work with engines and we use silicon hoses, fiber reinforced and normal. They experience all kinds of oil and chemicals and don't degrade.Because silicone tubing has quite a few issues:
- It is very very expensive compared to standard PVC/polyurethane tubing. Quality silicone is maybe 10 times more expensive.
- Silicone is hard to clamp and can suffer from creep if using standard jubilee type clips, especially if the wall is thick. In industry there are special silicone hose tube clamps (with serations) , or "bodge it" using two clamps.
- Silicone is slightly permeable to gases, CO2 is one that can cause silicone to change either harden or soften depending on CO2 level. This can cause issues with clamps. This can be why silicone air hose goes hard in water.
- Silicone is slightly permeable to water, again this is why silicone hose can go hard in water.
- Silicone is prone to "twist collapsing", put a twist in it and it may collapse.
- Silicone hoses are slightly "sticky" and attract dust and dirt that can be an issue to wipe off. Not helped as silicone is slightly permeable to water.
- Silicone hoses are attacked by oils. An oily finger print on silicone tubing can lead to weakness.
- Silicone tubing from China vastly different than say silicone tubing from Germany, but many many times cheaper.
I disagree with just about every one of your points as from experience have not seen any of them in practice. I work with engines and we use silicon hoses, fiber reinforced and normal. They experience all kinds of oil and chemicals and don't degrade.
There are different grades of silicone hose and most of the time one can tell that by how expensive, or not, the hose is. I bought some cheap stuff from china and it was garbage, smelled weird, was extremely stretchy, and tore easily. Needless to say I didn't use it for the aquarium. I do use it in the shop for fluid transfer, oil engine and trans, brake fluid, coolant and what not and surprisingly it still held up.
You absolutely do not want to use any hose clamps with serrations as this will damage the silicone hose and cause tears. I do agree with your last point.
Yes fractional sizes work fine as well so 1/2" = 12mm, 5/8" = 16mm not an exact measurement but close enough. If going with fractional sizing then most thick wall 1/2" and 5/8" will have a 1/8" wall thickness.Agreed. Looking online a little further some pieces of reef equipment in the US comes with 1/2” and 5/8” Silicone hose as standard in lengths up to 80”. I’ve also seen a few German manufacturers are using it.
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Platinum Cured SiliconeSo far I’ve seen 16/21mm, 16/22mm, 16/24mm and even 16/26mm silicon hose. Sadly all of it is quite pricey. I’m going to try some 16/22 if I can get some quality stuff at a good price. There is also mention of Platinum cured and Peroxide cured, not sure what difference it makes and the consequences for Aquarium use? The former seems to be a premium product though.
The biomaster 350 has 16mm/ 5/8" hose barb connections. I would ideally like to source some 16mm/5/8" hose but if if this is all you can find then it can work if certain conditions are met. I do not have a Biomaster 350 but Fluval uses similar hose connections. I would recommend to spin off the stock hose capture nut on the in/out pipe assembly.Thanks for that, all useful information. Tunze seem to sell several sizes of Silicone hose but the the nearest I could find is this. It will fit my stainless inlet/outlet pipes fine with a clip or cable tie but likely too big for my Biomaster 350?
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I would use proper sized spring clamps like these personally...Thanks for that but I’m way ahead of you 😉. I’m not that keen on many filter hose fittings so I’ve added cable ties to my current hoses. As you say removing the nuts may be a better option for Silicone hoses. I’ve also thought of getting a spare Biomaster hose adapter and seeing if I can modify it to make it more suitable. I need to source the hose first. I’m still bulking a bit at the price and I have other expenses to deal with at the moment.
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The cable ties are on a slightly tapered part of the fitting so the clamps you suggest wouldn’t fit.I would use proper sized spring clamps like these personally...
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Cable ties will apply uneven pressure to the circumference of the hose and often leak from the connection point when used as hose clamps.
Roger that but, clamps come in many styles and sizes. They may not leak as the threaded collars and barbs will help seal but, I just figured I would let you know they aren't the right clamp for the application and will be prone to leaking. I was a mechanic for couple of decades and saw them leak many times when used as hose clamps. They also leak on my water change system with similar hose(its getting proper clamps soon).The cable ties are on a slightly tapered part of the fitting so the clamps you suggest wouldn’t fit.
I also don’t like the fact that unlike cable ties you have to remove the hose to fit them and tools are required.
No sign of any leaks with the cable ties.