3/8" PVC fittings?

[fishay]

I'm trying to plumb an eheim 1250 return pump into my existing return line but the eheim uses 3/8" fittings and I can't seem to find them anywhere. Any ideas where I could find fittings of this size?

[KrazyKuch]

Rona should have 3/8" barb fittings that screw into 1/2" or 3/4" female adapters

[fishay]

Checked Rona (Burnaby), Home Depot, Andrew Sheret and Milani Plumbing but none of them had any fittings smaller than 1/2".

[Binare]

I'm trying to plumb an eheim 1250 return pump into my existing return line but the eheim uses 3/8" fittings and I can't seem to find them anywhere. Any ideas where I could find fittings of this size?

you sure about that? my 1250 uses 1/2" OD and 5/8" OD. Not aware of any pump that would use 3/8"

[fishay]

Yup I took the pump with me to Homedepot and Rona, the 1/2" fittings definitely won't fit the output opening on the pump. Before buying it I checked the specs online and it said 1/2" output which is why I was also surprised when none of the 1/2" fittings would fit :sad:.

[Binare]

By chance are you looking at the dark grey fittings? If you are those are 1/2" ID, you need 1/2" OD. Check the irrigation stuff, same isle.

[fishay]

I looked at the irrigation parts too and they had the size I needed at Home Depot but the parts were made of a thin cheap looking black plastic that should only be used in cold water applications (according to the label) so I didn't wanna risk it. I found a nearby irrigation store with 3/8" PVC fittings but I can't check it out until they open on Tuesday due to the long weekend.

[intarsiabox]

I looked up the specs and it said that the diameter of the out take is 1/2" but the nipple out is 3/8". I don't have one of these pumps myself but can you just unscrew the 3/8" nipple from the 1/2" pump fitting and then just use standard 1/2" plumbing parts? Are you trying to fit tubing or pipe to the discharge of the pump? I would think 1/2" tubing with 1/16" wall thickness would fit the nipple that comes with it.

[shrimpchips]

Hmm, I can't remember how I'm doing this (I'm away from my tank), but I think I just used spaflex PVC (.5") and slipped it over the barbed fitting that came with the eheim. Fits perfectly and has been running for 10 months now.

[Binare]

Shrimpchips is right. There is no such thing as 3/8" plumbing. 1/2" ID hose fits the 1/2" OD barbed fittings they come with. My 1250 and a lot of other pumps have been running just fine with no leaks using the irrigation fittings for years, they are identical pretty much.

[fishay]

*UPDATE*


Went to an irrigation supply store where I was able to get a 3/4" to 3/8" (MIPT x FIPT) PVC threaded reducer fitting. I screwed this over the existing nipple and then used another reducer fitting to get up to 1" and then simply plumbed into my existing return line. I could have done like some of you said and just slipped the clear vinyl tubing over the nipple but I wanted to hard plumb it in to my existing 1" line so an adapter fitting was necessary. :biggrin: