is 5/8" too big
 

I just recieved 50' of 5/8" tygon that i got really cheap on ebay. I have to say i am disapointed in it. It kinks really easy, almost as bad as vinyl, mabey thats just because i havent really unrolled it yet. I just wanted to know if 5/8" will perform as good as 1/2", i was thinking it might be too big. I have an ehiem 1250 and noticed the outlet is smaller than the inlet, to increase pressure i guess, but will using the same diameter tubing in the outlet and inlet degrade flow or not matter at all. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Well, you'd have alot of fun finding blocks that didn't restrict a 5/8" channel.

I do have tons of 5/8" barbs to sell to ya though :D

No thanks, barbs are not a problem. I got the 5/8" tubing because it was really cheap ($28.00), not as much for the greater flow. What i really wanted to know is if the 5/8" tubing would reduce water pressure, thus causing a slower flow rate. I was thinking i would just replace the 1/2" barbs on what ever block i get (this will be my first rig) with 5/8" barbs with 1/2" threads.

Actually, the female anat... oh, sorry. We're talking watercooling here.

Well... bigger diameter means slower flow, but that doesn't really matter since you're only concerned about flow speed through your block and radiator. Of course... doesn't that mean lower pressure within the tubes = trouble keeping them patent? But the 1250 flows a lot of water... just stick it in a sink-full of water and turn it on. Make sure your girlfriend / wife isn't around to see you do this.

/me pulls out the car analogy's

is a 5.7L V8 too big? some say it's too heavy, takes up space, etc. Some people say it's better to get more power out of, and torque.

if you have a big case and a custom waterblock, 5/8" might be just fine, but with a maze3 or any other production waterblock, there is just no point to run 5/8"

You meant that the other way around, I think!

The bigger tubing will give you less flow speed, but the same flow rate.

There's nothing wrong with 5/8 tubing, it's just not necessary. At the flow rates we usually have, the difference in flow resistance between 1/2 and 5/8 tubing is not worth mentioning.

If I was you, I'd get 5/8 barbs that'll fit a 1/2 NPT connection, and sell it. Call it a "Custom tubing upgrade kit".

Thing is, I already know what you paid for it...:D

Yeah, that's what I mean. Er, and what I thought I said. Eh... I'm tired. :)

Thanks for your help. Ive also had problems with the tubing kinking, its not near as good as i thought it would be. its almost as bad as vinyl. Is this just because its a bigger diameter than 5/8 or am i not the only one with this problem.

it depends on the wall thickness....so, whats the wall thickness?? if its 1/16" or 1/8" it would kink easy id imagine, but with 3/16" or 1/4" it probably wouldnt kink nearly as easy.

Im pretty sure its 1/8, it might also be because its been coiled up and not really unrolled yet, so it still has its "memory"

try to use the memory to your advantage...

can i heat tygon like you can with vinyl, so it will keep its shape when it cools

actually, bigger hose would cause less resistance in the system. The total flow rate would increase. The blocks/rad would still be limiting factors, though.