Aquarium Safe Tubing

[ChicoRaton]

I am getting an AC 500 for my 55 gal, to be used in conjunction with my millenium 200 filter (160gph). The problem is that I'll have 500 gph on one side and 160 on the other, so it seems like filtration wouldn't be as efficient. my plan is to attach additional tubing to the AC 500 and run it under the gravel to a sponge prefilter on the opposite end of the tank. My question is what kind of tubing to use. I was planning on using clear flexible tubing available at the hardware store, but are there any tubing materials I should avoid? would I be better off using pvc? should I just stick a powerhead in the opposite end of the tank pointed towards the intake on the AC?

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

 

[vato]

I think you should be fine with the flexible tubing, just try and find the same thing that they have on cannister filters.

 

[cgrabe]

I think the clear flexible tubing would be fine, but I'd lean towards the reinforced tubing (that you can see the netting inside). In my experience, the tubing likes to collapse on itself it bent too tightly. The suction inside wouldn't help. You could also opt to use PVC elbows for any corners. I personally wouldn't use PVC for the whole thing though, because it woudl be good to be able to see inside the tube if you're trying to track down an obstruction, contamination, or lost fish (heaven forbid).