Flexible Pipework Selection Advice
What flexible hose pipe should I use on my pond?
You would think that picking flexible hose pipe is a simple process, but there are many options. We sell a variety of flexible hosepipes and fittings for different purposes, but for pond installation we recommend our standard or heavy duty black ribbed (corrugated) flexible hose.
Black or Clear hose pipe?
Black hose as opposed to clear hose helps prevent the build-up of algae on the inside surface of the hose. Clear hoses will let sunlight in, helping algae to grow on the inside of the hose, over time debris can get caught up in this algae, leading to a narrowing of the clear passage through the hose which can cause a reduction in the water flowrate. A black walled hose will not let sunlight through and so prevents algal growth from blocking or restriction of the hose.
Why is the hose ribbed?
The flexible hosepipe we sell is ribbed (corrugated) in a very similar way to vacuum hose. The ribbing allows flexibility and increases strength whilst reducing the risk of the hose kinking, which can impact hugely on the flowrate through it. Although ribbed on the outside, the inside is almost smooth, so it doesn’t cause turbulence and restrict the flowrate.
Is Heavy Duty hose better?
We offer two grades of the black corrugated hose – Standard Flexible and Heavy Duty Flexible. The Standard Flexible hose has a lot more movement in it than the Heavy Duty and it will curve over relatively tight bends, but to do this the wall of the hose is thinner. This means that given time it is more likely to become hard and brittle and as such will need replacing. The Heavy Duty Flexible hose has a thicker wall making it strong and it will last much longer but it doesn’t bend anywhere near as well as the Standard Flexible hose. The thicker wall also makes this the better option if the hose is going to be buried over any distance. UV light in the sunlight is what causes plastics to harden so whichever hose you choose if you can keep it out of sunlight it will give it a much longer lifespan.
What size do I need?
When it comes to hose diameter, size matters. The smaller the diameter of hose the less water can travel through, the more frictional resistance is created which results in more back pressure for your pump to push against. Most pond equipment will take several different sizes of flexible hose, to minimise the resistance on the pump you should always pick the largest size which is compatible with all your equipment.
Metric / Imperial pipe sizes
Fortunately, most of the connection sizes are the same for all manufactures, however this is not the case for 1½” flexible pipe. With smaller sizes the metric / imperial sizes are consistent, ¾” = 20mm, 1” = 25mm and 1¼” = 32mm, but there are two versions of 1½”, the metric (European) version is 38mm internal diameter whereas the imperial (UK) version has an internal diameter of 40mm. Although this is a small difference it is enough to make it impossible to fit if you have smaller than you need, or difficult to seal if its too big. This can be tricky to get right so if in doubt contact us using our Ask a Question page or give us a call on 01778 341199 and we will be happy to help.
How much flexible pipe will I need?
The quantity of pipe you will need is specific to your pond and set-up, but we can give you some tips. First remember that when filtering a pond, the equipment should be positioned to ensure full circulation of all of the pond water, so the point where the water drops back in to the pond should normaly be as far away from the pump as possible. When measuring the pipe length use a rope or string to lay along the route the pipe will follow to make sure you allow for rises and falls as well as the distance. Once you have your length worked out you can either purchase pipe by the meter (in one continuous length up to 30m) or you can buy our Standard and Heavy Duty hose by the roll and save around 10% compared to the by the meter price.
How do I attach the flexible hose
To attach your flexible hose pipe we recommend flat Jubilee Clips with a foam strip which is placed over the hose before the clip is tightened. If you are using corrugated pipe, no matter which style of clip you use (flat or wire) it will sit over the ridges and won’t apply pressure evenly over the whole of the circumference of the hose. The result can be a slow weeping of water out of the connection which is difficult to stop. With our clips the foam strip we include is wrapped around the outside of the hose first, then when the jubilee clip is tightened the foam is forced down into the groove helping to create even pressure around the pipe and reduce the potential for leaks. As an added benefit the foam also helps to protect the hose from any sharp edges of the clips.