I have to use barbed fittings and clamps to connect flex hose to PVC.

Heat the end of the flex (not so flexable) pvc pipe with a hair dryer. after a little bit it will be soft and expanded then put it on the barbed connector. it should fit much better. it will shrink back down to the normal size and should have a pretty tight fit. a clamp may be needed to make sure their is no leaks

What type of PVC hose? I use spa flex (Tiger-flex) and have never had a problem. I do use the PVC cement (IPS Weld-On PVC 795) intended for flexible pipe for my connections. After primer and cement they do slide together easier if your using the right stuff.

Are you using pvc cement to glue it together?

lsst - yes I'm using pvc cement.

I'm using the hose that came with the Pond Kits with Savio Components from Pondliner.com The hose is the waterfall/biofall bottom drain.

I have an extra fitting so DH did the gluing with his "super human brute strength" grunt as he shoved it in. It is now holding water and will hopefully last.

If it doesn't I'll saw it off and try again with the extra fitting. Would just a regular saw work on flex pvc? (hope I don't jinx it)

RexAnne

Here is a link that might be useful: description of kit here

DH used to use a saw on pvc pipe, until he got a tool for cutting pvc pipe at the hardware store. Greatest thing since sliced bread. We live on a farm and there is a need for keeping supplies on hand at all times. Lots of broken water pipes due to human or horse activity. Someone forgets where the water spigots are and backs over them or some similar error in judgement. Haven't heard the last of that one yet. Glenda

You can use a regular saw. If it is holding water, you should not have a problem.

My only tip, at least the flex PVC I use, is too stiff for barbs and clamps. The stuff is too strong to crimp to a barb, its gotta be slip fittings and glue. Otherwise the suggestions sound good.

Hose clamps should work fine. When I am working with plumbing hose or irrigation hose I take a thermos of boilimg water to where I am working. Put the hose end in the hot water and it will get soft in a matter of seconds without the need of an electric line. Sandy

great information, thanks ponders

I need to connect from 3 inch flex PVC to 3 inch rigid PVC. Does anyone know of a source for such a connector?

I thought I'd bring back this posting as it's sort of the trouble I'm having. I have a barbed hose adaptor 1-1/2" (not sure it's pvc but it's black plastic) and am having trouble slipping the 1-1/2 black kink-free hose onto it.

So, are my options:
-heat the end of the hose using a hair dryer or hot water;
-sand down the barbed end a bit;

Not to worry as a hose clamp is part of the setup and will be applied afterward.

Anything else? Would wetting it with vaseline or some type of lubricant (something that's reasonably fish safe) help? I know sometimes you can sort of twist the barb end as you are pushing it into the hose but I can't really get a good grip on the barbed end as it keeps 'swiveling' in the base that screws onto the pump (Hard to explain).

Any advice/help is appreciated. The other end of the hose that goes onto the aquascape microfalls fits just right.

Regards and Thanks,
Glen

Glen, heat it in hot water. That way, you heat the hot and wet it at the same time. It should slip right on as long as you heat it long enough. Make sure you put the clamp around the hose before you slide it on.