Pond Boss Forums AERATION Systems questions Airline transition

I am wanting to run 3/4 in. Non weighted tubing about 300 feet and am wanting to change to a 1/2 in. Weighted airline at the waters edge. What would be the best thing I could use between the transition between the different sizes?

I am not a pro. FWIW IMHO a barbed reducer fitting and some hose clamps should get it done.

Hopefully, one of the experts will be along to tell you the correct method.

Another non-expert but I think Bill D. is on the right track. My only other recommendation would be to use stainless hose clamps since these will most likely be buried or in the water.

Put the junction in a box near the water but not in. Later when you want to move the diffuser, add one, leak-check, change hose, isolate a problem, etc ... you may well want access to that joint. Don't want to hit it with a mower, but inaccessible in the dirt may not be ideal either.

Not an expert either but will share my experiences.

Barbed connectors in the correct combination of step down size can be difficult to find. Sometimes the big box stores have some different size combinations in the area where various connectors are at but coming up with the exact match you need can be frustrating. Another problem with the step down barbed adapters is often the barbed portion is very short. This is fine on softer hoses but they always worried me using them on the more semi-rigid pipe like the black plastic water pipe in a roll that I used.

The black plastic water pipe that comes in a roll like I used has special connectors for its use. The barbed portion is a lot longer than some other type connectors. One way you can use these is to use one of these connectors hose barb x male pipe thread. Then use another connector that is barbed to fit the other hose size but also goes to pipe thread. Then use a female pipe thread plastic threaded coupler to join them together. These special fittings made especially for this black pipe will be located at the same place with the black plastic pipe, if they have them. At a Lowes store the black plastic water pipe is located in the section where home water well pump systems are located (not in the regular plumbing section so difficult to find if you don't know what you are looking for) and the fittings are located with the pipe. Other stores I have found the pipe but no special fittings to use with it.

One other option if you are ordering stuff on line, is some places that sell the sinking tubing make a connector that has multiple sizes of barbed connectors on both ends. You just shove the connector into the pipe as far as it will go up to the biggest size barb each hose will go on, and clamp it. I got some of these to use when I was going from 3/4" black plastic pipe all the way down to 3/8 sinking. I cut off the smallest barb portion (think it was 1/4) on each end with a knife so as not to unduly restrict air flow and would recommend doing so if you use this type connector.

Several ways of doing it. Main thing is that it does not leak, does not unduly restrict air flow, and does not come apart. I'm a fan of using double hose clamps in places where I sure do not want a connection to come apart. Like under water or buried under ground. Heat and cold might cause expansion/contraction to pull a joint apart. I put one clamp on and tighten it, then put the second clamp on a quarter turn (so the worm gear on the clamp is not in the same position on the line) different and tighten it, both positioned in such a way that they are over the barbed portion of the connector.

Just the ways I have done it.

Edit: Some of the black plastic pipe can be a challenge to get the barbed connector pushed all the way in, especially in cold weather. Takes some pretty good muscle. Warming the end of the pipe can make things slide together much easier and the clamps clamp down better around the pipe. Just don't get carried away with the heat. If the pipe gets too soft it will tend to buckle when pushing the connector in.

I've seen some setups that utilized a small fortune in fittings trying to jump from one size/style to another. Real plumbing nightmares. They work, but if you can find a reduction coupler you will be all set with a minimum of hardware.

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=28690&catid=551