Tubing Review - 18 Types of Tubing Reviewed [56k warning]

[virtualrain]

Good work. Some flow testing, maybe? Theoretically smaller ID should restrict a lot. And eventually the difference between materials, maybe?

Thanks everyone!

One point I don't think I emphasized enough was that the higher durometer tubing really requires a lot more force to bend into such tight bends and therefore will place a LOT more tube torque on your blocks than a softer tubing. This is critical on blocks like the MCW-30 with only 2 mounting points and a relatively small base.

Mord, Cathar has a great article in the sticky section on the subject of tube sizes and flow rates. I think you will be surprised with the results.

[Sadhana]

Yep. That's the very excellent thread. Vote for sticky.

[Mord]

Mord, Cathar has a great article in the sticky section on the subject of tube sizes and flow rates. I think you will be surprised with the results.

Yes, I know the sticky very well. Actually I've put some theoretical calculations there in a excel graph. That's why I asked you about flowrates - cause the only simulation constant was the roughness of the materials.

Here, have a look:
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...&postcount=318

[virtualrain]

Yes, I know the sticky very well. Actually I've put some theoretical calculations there in a excel graph. That's why I asked you about flowrates - cause the only simulation constant was the roughness of the materials.

Here, have a look:
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...&postcount=318

Sorry Mord... didn't realize you were that deep into it. Interesting stuff.

[Martinm210]

Yes, I know the sticky very well. Actually I've put some theoretical calculations there in a excel graph. That's why I asked you about flowrates - cause the only simulation constant was the roughness of the materials.

Here, have a look:
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...&postcount=318

You know I've noticed that there are also likely differences in roughnessess between tubing. When I ran pressure drop tests on 3/8", 7/16", and 1/2" ID tubing I used different brands of tubing assuming the difference didn't matter, but the Masterkleer I used for the 7/16" ended up being suspiciously close to tht 1/2" cheap Home Depot brand I used. The 7/16" should have been theoretically in between the 3/8" and 1/2", but instead it was clearly closer to the 1/2".

So in the end frictional losses of small tubing do appear to me to be different depending on the manufacturer. In the end the total tubing friction loss is small in comparison to blocks, but there is something to it.

[virtualrain]

Based on the tubing I have here, it would seem that the higher the durometer of the tubing, the smoother and harder the surface and the less friction it would provide. The really soft tubing like the R-1000 or the Primoflex which is almost tacky (and collects dust and debris on the outside like crazy) would probably provide the most friction to the fluids passing through.

Martin... perhaps I'll send you some of the different tubing to test along with my elbow. Unfortunately, I only have a couple of feet of each which may not be enough to get any measurable difference? What lengths and what diameter woudl be best?

[vladimir]

Good job!

[ColonelCain]

Great job! Very much sticky-worthy!

Though, I would love to see a follow up with a long-term bend radius test.

[Bigchrome]

I find Tygon R3603 to be one of the worst there is for kinking, so maybe it would be a good idea to test for a longer period of time?

[Patriote]

A lot of work right here. +1 for sticky!

[Seolfor]

Excellent job virtualrain!

[migueld]

You know I've noticed that there are also likely differences in roughnessess between tubing. When I ran pressure drop tests on 3/8", 7/16", and 1/2" ID tubing I used different brands of tubing assuming the difference didn't matter, but the Masterkleer I used for the 7/16" ended up being suspiciously close to tht 1/2" cheap Home Depot brand I used. The 7/16" should have been theoretically in between the 3/8" and 1/2", but instead it was clearly closer to the 1/2".

Not directly related but.. I have some home depot 3/8" tubing and some stock Swiftech tubing on the same loop and the Swiftech tubing got very cloudy while the home depot tubing is clear as new. Pretty interesting eh?

The Swiftech tubing is a tad softer. So it seems that softer PVC will get much more cloudy than stiffer PVC. I like the home depot tubing btw, it's got a pretty decent bend radius. Its only drawback is the stiffness, but I think it's manageable.

BTW, very nice work virtualrain

[Martinm210]

Martin... perhaps I'll send you some of the different tubing to test along with my elbow. Unfortunately, I only have a couple of feet of each which may not be enough to get any measurable difference? What lengths and what diameter woudl be best?

I've always been testing full 10' sections, so a couple of feet would be difficult to measure, but thanks for the offer.

Is the Duraleen, the same thing as as this duraleen by saint gobain?
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/dupvctu7id5o.html

I was tempted to try some and see how it faired compared to 3603 and masterkleer. Masterkleer obviously has a higher durometer, was the Duraleen about the same durometer as 3603?

[stevecs]

Good review. I've always been partial to Tygon (probably due to my chemistry background). It would be nice if you were able to do some water loop testing with the samples to see how they react over time to uv lights, growth inhibitors et al.

[Eddie3dfx]

I appreciate the time and effort you put into this post.
Thank You
+15 for sticky

[Noob-ftw]

+1 for a sticky!

Awesome review!

[nestcrw]

This was great. Very helpful, thanks!
Sticky plz

[virtualrain]

I've always been testing full 10' sections, so a couple of feet would be difficult to measure, but thanks for the offer.

Is the Duraleen, the same thing as as this duraleen by saint gobain?
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/dupvctu7id5o.html

I was tempted to try some and see how it faired compared to 3603 and masterkleer. Masterkleer obviously has a higher durometer, was the Duraleen about the same durometer as 3603?

Yes, that's the Duraleen I was testing... from Sidewinder. As I noted in the OP, the Duraleen has a very similar durometer to the MasterKleer... stiffer than R-3603 but less stiff than R-3400.

-Chris.

[hoax]

great work virtualrain..thank you!!

+1 sticky

[kevinbo03]

I'm not gonna lie. People who google "tubing" and see a 40 picture, 4000 word article about 1/2" ID tubing will be a little surprised to find such an article existed!

Very nice, Its going to take me awhile to finish building some conclusions from all this information.

[Section8]

Can we get Tygon Silver added? This stuff looks amazing. It will keep your loop free of algae and bacteria but I would like to see some tests performed like bend radius and such.

http://www.tygon.com/Data/Element/Ne...00000000001801

Maybe??????????

[Martinm210]

Yes, that's the Duraleen I was testing... from Sidewinder. As I noted in the OP, the Duraleen has a very similar durometer to the MasterKleer... stiffer than R-3603 but less stiff than R-3400.

-Chris.

Ahh, I thought I saw it the first time I read through it then I missed it the second time around, but I see it now.

Guess I'll stick with the Masterkleer for my cheap tubing, thanks!

[gatti-man]

wow whats the price on teh tygon silver? neat stuff!

[[XC] leviathan18]

excelent review 5 stars for you pal

[qwerty69]

Sticky!