Loc Line Questions

[Gerryd]

Hi all,

A couple of quick questions:

1. Is the tool useful at all for assembly? LFS says no, just use brute force.....$35 tool so I have to ask....

2. Can pieces be dis-assembled once together, or are you stuck? Is there an easy way to disconnect if a mistake is made?

3. Can the 6" extension pieces be cut to size as needed? I assume I will just saw it to size.

4. I found this on the web, and thought one or two in sequence might be nice for me. I have two returns on opposite ends that I can connect to one or two of these.... Let me know what you think of the idea. Here is the link:

Loc-Line 1/2 inch Ball Socket Circle Flow Assy (Saltwater Aquarium Supplies > Plumbing Parts > Loc-Line > 1/2in )

Thanks in advance..........

 

[Tim McRae]

1. I use 3/4 locline and I like the tool but it didn't cost 35
Modular Pipe - Lockline: Premium Aquatics

2. disassembly is easy just bend till it pops apart.

3. I would never take a saw to it just use the number of links needed.

4. never used a piece like this so can't really comment.

 

[Gerryd]

Thanks for the reply........How much was yours????

Was 33, my bad........

Loc-Line 3/4 Inch Hose Assembly Pliers (Saltwater Aquarium Supplies > Plumbing Parts > Loc-Line > 3/4in )

Is the first place I looked, so no biggie........

 

[Tim McRae]

see link..........I paid 20 for 3/4 tool

 

[Gerryd]

Tim,

No link????


Anyhoo, Loc Line Home sells tool for $13........

modularhose.com - Loc-Line Modular Hose

 

[Tim McRae]

link is in frist post.

WOW modularhose.com has great prices.....thats where I'll buy from now on ty.

 

[torpedobarb]

I bought my locline at my lfs.. they were very reasonable, definitely worth it. I don't have the tool to connect it... I just had to push like hell!

 

[Gerryd]

All,

So tool could be useful and it takes some strength to connect.......

If my lfs is price comparable I will buy it there....I don't care if they are more, just within a reasonable range.

Does anyone ever disconnect this stuff? I have to think if it is that hard to assemble, then it will be a bear to dis-assemble.

Make sense?

 

[torpedobarb]

I have found that it is easier to take apart than put together. I took mine apart to add a Y to it for additional output. If you can afford the tool.. I would definitely get one.

 

[VaughnH]

My filter return is connected with a loc line connection. I have removed and reinstalled it once. I am very hesitant to do it again, because it was very hard to do without any tool. It would be easy to break something with the amount of brute force needed.

 

[tedr108]

Yeah, Hoppy, "easy to break something" is right. I thought I was going to break some of my tendons or ligaments when I assembled my Loc-Line.

 

[Gerryd]

Update - tips

Hi all,

Done. Split each outlet to a Y for four outlet nozzles rather than 2 and better control of each nozzle......

Okay, so things I learned that may help others:

Cost:

1. The LFS was at least 20-25% higher than the Loc line web site. I am sure this varies, but FYI........

Assembly

1. Use a towel to wrap around the pieces you are assembling. Helps keep hands from slipping and adds some padding as well.

2. Y fittings - I had two of these. Place the Y in the fleshy part of your hand between the thumb and index finger so that the elbow fits in nicely on your hand with one port on each side of your hand and the one to assemble facing out. Then push the pieces together.

3. Nozzles - Place wood that is wider than the nozzle over the nozzle. Place the extension upright on the floor. Use a hammer to tap the wood over the nozzle onto the extension. This is quick and easy.

4. Elbows - use options either 2 or 3 as appropriate or easy for you.

These things made assembly easy, and I used no tool.

Dis-assembly - totally recommend using new when/if possible.....

1. Tapered nozzles. I placed a towel around the JAWS of my pliers and then another towel on the extension and gently pulled/rotated it out. Came out easy and had been on for 5+ years. The wrapped pliers cause no damage/marks to the nozzle.

The towels helped a lot for cushioning and providing a larger more stable base for pushing/pulling.

After heeding all the warnings carefully. I can say that I have new Loc line installed and no injuries.......

Also, have to say that the OUTPUT from the divided return is noticeably less as I did one at a time and then compared. I like the better control, but it is not as strong as before. I guess the division really affects it, and I shouldn't be surprised, although I went with 3/4 with no restriction to a less diameter hose.

Thanks again to all.

I used almost all new so I didn't have to dis-assemble too much.

 

[VaughnH]

Gerry, the disassembly comes when those nice black plastic pieces start to accumulate BBA, and you need to remove them to be able to soak them in a bleach water mix to kill off and remove the algae. I did a disassembly for that once, but the next time I just wrapped it with a paper towel wet with Excel. The fish took care of removing the white algae for me.

My filter return is up very close to the light, so it is a prime breeding ground for algae. This is convincing me that I should put it down low and point it up to get the surface ripple I want.

 

[Gerryd]

Vaughn,

lol, I agree that

comes when those nice black plastic pieces start to accumulate BBA

Is why I cover them with Riccia and duckweed. This helps that issue a lot..

Have to say that the new Y and extensions really give me many more flow options/configs.

May be able to eliminate one of the smaller current pumps now for dead spots.....yay we'll see.

 

[Tom Barr]

They make a nice little plier for the loc line also.

Regards,
Tom barr

 

[jjhale]

Use wire to join the 1/4inch loc-line

Hi,

I've been having a lot of trouble connecting segments of 1/4 inch loc-line. It took me ages to figure out a way to connect them which worked every time. I used a bit of wire to get the leverage required to get the segments to snap together.

I've explaned it in my blog post:
How to join loc-line without using a special tool

Hope it is helpful to someone.

Joe

 

[shoggoth43]

Joe,

Very informative and ingenious. Thank you for sharing that. I suspect that will prove handy to many of us and the gorillapod idea I will definitely look into.

-
S

 

[inkslinger]

Hi Gerry?
Will I bought my loc-line, I added a drop of silicon lube and with little force it slip on and off very easy !, and you are able to adjust the nozzles to any direction with out any problem or force.
The silicon does not dry off as easy makes adjusting the segments much easier to move around. IMO

 

[Gerryd]

Great tip! A year too late for me, but I know for next time

How is your project coming along anyway?

 

[inkslinger]

Thanks for asking , Got the lazy's!! Got all the parts together just need to remove my old gear from underneath the cabinet. I have the pump connected to the nu-clear 533and the 547 and my mazzei is all setup just need to connect all to my intake and return. But Fishing Season is Here!!

Do have a question for you , I have my Eheim Noodles>EHEIM EHFIMECH and some EHEIM EHFIMECH from my Eheim filter witch would be best to use in my 533 , I did not want to use the Charcoal that came with the 533 filter?