Hi hawkiefreind,

First find the sizes of the pipes that you need to connect tubing or pipe too. If you are connecting PVC or ABS pieces together there are "couplers" that you can glue to the end of the pipes for a permanent connection. For temporary connections there are fernco fittings that are rubber and join two pieces together and make a tight fit by using hose clamps that you tighten.

If you are connceting flexible hoses there are hose barbs fittings that most pond supply stores or internet stores sell.

Get the sizes of the pipes, what type of hose or pipes you are connecting to and let us know so we can help you.

Regards,
Lisa

Take both parts to home depot or your hardware store of choice and ask one of the nice people in the plumbing section for what you need.

Thank you both so much. I wish I could explain it all to you, or explain it all (or know what to bring in) to a hardware store.

Maybe if I try bit by bit. First I need to install the bottom drain (sold separately) to the Savio Living Filter. I only have the flexible 2" kink free, because I thought this hose would work for everything. The thingy that it's supposed to fit into for the bottom filter is the same size as it. I can't do anything else until I get that done.

You just need a connector. Take a pc of the tubing to Lowes or Home dept and look around for a fitting that fits both. The type of tubing (size, diameter and wallthickness) will determine what type of connector you need. Some has to see the tubing to tell you for sure. Cut off a few inches and take it with you.

Post a pic of the tubing and drain. We should be able to tell you.

OK. Thank you. I am going crazy not knowing how you connect these things.

First pic is the Savio filter turned on its side to show the drain hole.

2nd pic is the doohickey things that would be at the end of the filter's drain tube (intended for a garden-y area a few feet away)

3rd is the tubing, 2" non kink.

There are some other parts that I think would go into the hole in the SAVIO.

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Hi again Hawkiefriend,

I am looking at your parts and pieces in the pics. The valve you have shown is called a knife valve. It looks to be made out of ABS. There are two types of plastic plumbing. ABS is black, and PVC which is white. To connect black to white such as the valve to the white fitting shown you would use All purpose Glue/Cement from the plumbing dept. White (PVC) to White requires purple primer applied to the pipes being glued then PVC cement. See the white piece there? The larger end will fit a PVC pipe in to it that you need to glue.

Now behind that valve I see Barb fittings. These are made for the tubing to connect to. The non kink tubing just fits over it snugly.

You have two different types of plumbing going on. You have the barb fittings which connect non kink tubing, and the hard plastic PVC and ABS fittings. The non kink tubing is used above ground, and the ABS/PVC will be below ground.

The hole in the Savio will have a bulk head fitting in it. This fitting basically screws together with a rubber gasket that forms a watertight seal. ABS or PVC pipes are then connected to that bulk head fitting. The best thing to do is get a beginning plumbing book get familiar with the pieces and parts. As suggested before go to Home Depot and ask questions, and also see how things fit together and develop a plan. Then before you glue anything dry fit the pieces to see that everything fits. Then get back to us on the forum.

Regards,
Lisa

I'll probably be accused of being a pond snob, but unless you can't return it I would strongly suggest getting Flex PVC tubing and rubber couplers. I don't see what zone you are in but if 'hawkie' is Hawkeye state, you would be well advised to use Flex PVC to avoid freeze issues. It is more expensive but I am yet to have to replace it due to freeze, the same cannot be said for antikink or 'standard' PVC. Unless you are burying that rather deep I would at least consider the cost difference versus replacement cost.

The rest of the info is excellent and can only agree strongly, but if you are in Iowa I would consider different hose.

Watershaper, we don't have freeze here. We're coastal SoCal. We don't even have much rain. :)

Lisa, thanks. Here's the thing -- nothing seems to fit snugly into the 2" nonkink. I am wondering if I need some kind of adapter? Yes, I will be getting some kind of local pro advice or this filter will never get installed. I am so grateful to you for your advice.

I had no clue there would be different glues for different things. The instructions on both of the items (pump and filter) infer a LOT of knowledge I do not have.

I have a follow-up question to some information posted by Watershaper and others. I'm a bit stuck, like Hawkiefriend, on connecting all the tubing and fittings. I'm building a pond in MN, where freeze damage is a concern (obviously!). I have a Pondmaster 3000 (model MDWP30, from Danner Mfg.). I want to minimize friction for maximum flow and was planning to use 2" Flex PVC. The pump came with multiple parts for the outflow. One part is a smooth-walled with an O.D. of 1 7/8"; another part has a "barbed" outer wall and the O.D. on that part is 1 1/2"; these parts are rigid, black plastic, possibly ABS. I planned to take these parts to Home Depot with a peice of hose and get the help with the fittings or adapters needed. My question for Watershaper, or anyone who can help, is about the "rubber couplers" mentioned above. What are the rubber couplers, and most importantly, where can they be found? Thanks.

I think Watershaper is referring to Fernco couplings. They are a band of rubber that fit over the pipes and are tightened with metal clamps.
They can be found at hardware stores, big box stores as well as plumbing supply stores.

Here is a link that might be useful: Fernco couplings

Your fitting with a 1 7/8 OD is 1.5" pipe and you have your choice. In MN you probably have Menards and they will have what you need. If you want to be able to remove everything then I would use a 1.5" to 2" fernco fitting with the 1.5 end going over the pump supplied part and the 2" end going over your 2" flex. Or you can get a 1.5 to 2" pvc reducer and glue to both the pump fitting and the flex pvc. Use flexible glue for the connection at the flex pvc and all purpose plastic pipe glue of the other connection. Use the same primer for both connections.
Mike