Air line, they don’t make it like they used to…

[MaloK]

In the 80's we where using 5mm medical grade latex tubing to make slingshots that lasted forever.

Today... You're going to get slapped in the face for trying it.

 

[Back in the fold]

He then waded into technical jargon and my eyes glazed.

Happens to me all the time .

 

[Magnum Man]

So my main air pump went out, so I’m buying a much better quality air pump… which may challenge my air lines even more??? My bigger tanks are all heavily filtered, and OK without air… but my 2 - 10 gallon holding tank racks ( 4 tanks total ) use air driven sponge filters… while cobbling up air lines to my back up pump for the sponge filters, I noticed inconsistent wall thickness on the last silicone tube I bought… so… finding better quality air line is a challenge, I think they are all made in China… so I guess I can hope the name brands ( I only recognize 2 or 3 names ) will be of better quality… I like to buy bigger rolls of the line… right now, I guess I’m looking at…

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003UTLLLA/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

With the better air pump, I might try running a couple lines to my 250 gallon, that I’ll be setting up this winter… if I choose to use the pump from my main group, those would be 25-30 foot lines each…

 

[Back in the fold]

Why do you think a stronger pump will stress your airlines ? As long as the connections are good and your filters and airstones aren’t clogged all should be well . Put a T in the line and a bleed valve if you’re concerned about excess pressure .

 

[TwoTankAmin]

I am not so sure the problem is in the airline but rather has to do with what happens to it in tank water. Consider how many new types of chemicals we use in tanks. Buffers, fertilizers, dechlor that does more than just that. The contents of the foods we feed has changed as well.

I changed over my pleco space some years ago from mostly hang-on filters and pump powered Mattens filters to a 100% air driven system using one of the pricey Jehmco piston pumps. Th system is not large. It has 3 racks of 2 tanks each and each rack has its own manifold to provide 6 outlets to each rack. The 3/8 diameter vinyl distribution lines are never in the water and they are doing just fine, Not stiff at all. But the lines which run from the manifolds into the tanks do get stiff and need replacing.

So it is my belief that it is not so much just the line itself which is the problem but rather things which are now common in the water which causes the problem. I use both vinyl and silicone lines. I find the biggest issue with the stiffness is when the line gets detached from whatever it is connected to in the tank. It then becomes difficult to get it back on securely as this requires that the line be flexible. And even when it goes back in place it won't stay that way.

 

[Magnum Man]

It may not actually be harder on the lines, as they all have a working pressure… the cheaper pump, being a piston pump, may actually not be as smooth, and pulse more than a better pump??? But it is a size bigger, so I may have to put a bleed of valve in the system… the current pump, is challenged on the 24 inch deep tanks

 

[Donya]

I am not so sure the problem is in the airline but rather has to do with what happens to it in tank water. Consider how many new types of chemicals we use in tanks. Buffers, fertilizers, dechlor that does more than just that. The contents of the foods we feed has changed as well.

I changed over my pleco space some years ago from mostly hang-on filters and pump powered Mattens filters to a 100% air driven system using one of the pricey Jehmco piston pumps. Th system is not large. It has 3 racks of 2 tanks each and each rack has its own manifold to provide 6 outlets to each rack. The 3/8 diameter vinyl distribution lines are never in the water and they are doing just fine, Not stiff at all. But the lines which run from the manifolds into the tanks do get stiff and need replacing.

So it is my belief that it is not so much just the line itself which is the problem but rather things which are now common in the water which causes the problem. I use both vinyl and silicone lines. I find the biggest issue with the stiffness is when the line gets detached from whatever it is connected to in the tank. It then becomes difficult to get it back on securely as this requires that the line be flexible. And even when it goes back in place it won't stay that way.

I also find that portions of originally flexible tubing that get even indirect sunlight or are anywhere near my light fixtures become discolored and rigid, even when dry. I can pretty much indefinitely reuse any tubing that has stayed dry, cool, and in the dark.