Quick plumbing question...

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

What do most of you use to keep the plumbing from hanging off of a bulkhead and stressing it? I know zip ties can work but the ones I have are too small. This is 2" plumbing. Any ideas? Im sure there is something obvious to use but I can't think of anything right now. Also how did you attach whatever you used to the stand?

Thanks.

[mr_alberta]

I've seen some people use something like this (http://www.savko.com/portal/click-clamp.asp). I think they make plastic versions for smaller pvc pipe/conduit, but for larger pvc you might be stuck with metal.

[TRS]

I used Rigid PVC clamps from Home Hardware. Totem and Home Depot sell them too. HTH

[mark]

I used the zip ties with the screw eye (just double them up) plus the metal strapping with the holes on my 2" runs.

[Jason McK]

At Home Depot they have PVC straps like the ones pictured in mr_alberta's link. They are kept where the glue is. That is if you are screwing them to the wall.
J

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Well my tank is on a 1" piece of plywood that is the top of the stand. I was hoping to have something support the pipes from above. It would be about 1' from the bottom of the plywood to the pipes. Im not sure if the PVC straps would work. I need something to attach to the plywood and then come down and around the pipes. I guess bigger zip ties might work.

[Delphinus]

Is the holder itself going to be subject to spray from the tank or sump? If not then I'd just use some metal strapping. I don't know the name of the stuff but it's like the most standard thing you can get at any hardware store, it looks like tape but is metal, has holes along the centerline at 1cm (or thereabouts) intervals so you can screw it onto a wood surface and so on.

If it is subject to salt spray then I'd just use a large zap strap (you can get them in pretty mondo large sizes). For a 1' drop you may need to daisy-chain them but they'll work fine.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

How would you recommend attaching the zip ties to the plywood?

[mark]

Here's (http://www.houseneeds.com/shop/plumbing/misc/allroundstrappingbuypage.asp)the type of strap I use if hanging a distance. Also good for securing ballasts and other parts and pieces.

Never done it but water spray a concern could thread it through some heat shrink and use nylon fasteners.

[mark]

How would you recommend attaching the zip ties to the plywood?

Get the ties with eyelets that I mentioned . One type here (http://www.thesitebox.com/Category/5704/eyelet-cable-ties.aspx) .

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Thanks. I may look into the strapping and heat shrink today at HD. What exactly is the heat shrink? I mean it sounds very obvious but Im not sure. Is it like the stuff used for wiring?

[Delphinus]

Mark's stuff is the stuff I was trying to describe. That should work well.

If you do end up using cable ties though, you can get these little stick-on cable tie mounts for them (again available more or less anywhere that sell these sorts of things .. HD/Rona/etc. or electronic supply stores)
http://management.goemerchant.com/StoreData/p/peteselectric/Images/D10_CableTiesMounts_1.jpg

[mark]

Thanks. I may look into the strapping and heat shrink today at HD. What exactly is the heat shrink? I mean it sounds very obvious but Im not sure. Is it like the stuff used for wiring?

It's a plastic tubing that shrinks when heated.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat-shrink_tubing

Might have a hard time finding long lengths from Home Depot but if go to a electrical supplier can get in meter lengths or rolls to 50' or more.

[mark]

And lots of the holders are made to take a screw. Depending on type might need a countersunk head screw for clearance of strap.

Mark's stuff is the stuff I was trying to describe. That should work well.

If you do end up using cable ties though, you can get these little stick-on cable tie mounts for them (again available more or less anywhere that sell these sorts of things .. HD/Rona/etc. or electronic supply stores)
http://management.goemerchant.com/StoreData/p/peteselectric/Images/D10_CableTiesMounts_1.jpg

[Captainhemo]

I think Home Depot actually carries some strap iron that comes pre coated with some kind of plastic. You just need to cut to lenght and then seall up the cut ends with a bit of silicone. You can also vover up any retaining/fastening screws with a dab of silicone