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air line tubing - silicone vs poly retic drip tube
http://byap.backyardmagazines.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=19608		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  mattyoga [ Nov 20th, '13, 13:43 ]
Post subject:  air line tubing - silicone vs poly retic drip tube
Whats the difference between using silicone air line tubing and just some black poly dripper tubing. They're both 4mm, just wondered what the pro's/cons were?
Author:  Charlie [ Nov 20th, '13, 16:16 ]
Post subject:  Re: air line tubing - silicone vs poly retic drip tube
Im assuming that the poly dripper stuff probably wont hold onto air stones too well? Just guessing.
Author:  mattyoga [ Nov 20th, '13, 16:18 ]
Post subject:  Re: air line tubing - silicone vs poly retic drip tube
It seems to - I've been using both in my system - being black you can't see if there is water in the air line for the poly tubing - though you can get clear poly tubing.... I think maybe the silcone maybe less likely to flatten.
Author:  Charlie [ Nov 20th, '13, 16:20 ]
Post subject:  Re: air line tubing - silicone vs poly retic drip tube
Yea, and crimp over. The silicone tubing seems to go hard and brittle after a while though Ive noticed.
Author:  savarin [ Nov 21st, '13, 08:50 ]
Post subject:  Re: air line tubing - silicone vs poly retic drip tube
Charlie wrote:
Yea, and crimp over. The silicone tubing seems to go hard and brittle after a while though Ive noticed.


Wow, I always thought it was the opposite. The black poly get harder over time, the clear standard airline gets very hard over time.
I've never used silicone as an airline into water but on my welders gas supply it is still very soft and flexible after 8 years.
Author:  nat [ Nov 21st, '13, 09:02 ]
Post subject:  Re: air line tubing - silicone vs poly retic drip tube
Iv found the black poly one harder to make go around sharper corners
Author:  Charlie [ Nov 21st, '13, 10:59 ]
Post subject:  Re: air line tubing - silicone vs poly retic drip tube
Yea thats what I meant sorry, the black poly line will prob crimp on sharp corners
Author:  mattyoga [ Nov 21st, '13, 12:36 ]
Post subject:  Re: air line tubing - silicone vs poly retic drip tube
Another question - how much pressure loss occurs in 4mm air pipe - eg what is the longest practical run for a typical sized air stone?

I'm guessing its better to use say a 13mm poly pipe if going any distance then run 4mm off that. Will take the system a little longer to pressurize when starting, but once pressurize should minimize losses.
Author:  Charlie [ Nov 21st, '13, 12:59 ]
Post subject:  Re: air line tubing - silicone vs poly retic drip tube
I run 10mm silicone hose about 4 meters to my DWC then a manifold into 3mm silicone to air stones
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