Clear Flexible PVC Tubing — Plastic Hose for Air, Water, Aquarium & Pond

The ID (inner diameter) determines what fits inside the tube — match it to your barb fitting, nozzle, or pipe OD. The OD (outer diameter) matters when the tube must fit through a grommet, bulkhead, or sleeve. For example, if your pump outlet barb is 6mm, select a variant with 6mm ID. Wall thickness (OD minus ID, divided by 2) affects flexibility and pressure tolerance — thicker walls are generally stiffer and handle higher pressure.

Flexible PVC tubing is generally rated for low-to-medium pressure applications. Thinner-walled sizes (e.g., 1.6mm ID × 3.2mm OD) are typically suited for gravity-fed or low-pressure air and water lines. Larger sizes with thicker walls can generally handle more pressure. For high-pressure applications, contact us to confirm the rating for your specific size before ordering.

Clear flexible PVC can be used outdoors, but prolonged direct UV exposure may cause the material to yellow and become brittle over time. For outdoor pond or garden irrigation runs, routing the tubing through shaded channels or conduit will generally extend its service life. For permanent outdoor installations with heavy sun exposure, UV-stabilized tubing may be a better long-term choice.

Yes. The ID of each variant is sized to fit standard metric barb fittings of the same nominal diameter. For example, 6mm ID tubing typically fits a 6mm barb. For push-fit or compression fittings, match the OD of the tubing to the fitting's stated tube OD. Always verify fitting compatibility with your specific connector before installation.

Clear flexible PVC tubing is widely used in aquarium and pond applications for air lines, filter return lines, and water circulation. The material is generally inert in water at ambient temperatures. If you are using it in a sensitive aquatic environment, allow the tubing to flush with water for a short period before connecting to livestock tanks, as is standard practice with any new plastic tubing.

Use a sharp utility knife or dedicated tube cutter for a clean, square cut. Avoid scissors on larger diameters, as they can compress the tube wall and leave an uneven edge. For very small diameters (under 5mm ID), a sharp craft knife on a flat surface gives the cleanest result. Deburr the cut end lightly before pushing onto a barb fitting.

For a single short run (e.g., connecting a pump to a filter), 1m is generally sufficient. For aquarium setups with multiple connections or pond installations with longer runs, 5m or 10m rolls reduce the number of joins needed. Note that not all sizes are available in all lengths — check the variant selector for your chosen ID/OD combination.