Best way to stretch out end of flexible tubing

[travie]

I need a way to stretch out the end of my flexible tubing that I'm connecting to my overflow box. I need the end to be stretched out like 1/8 of inch in diameter. I need suggestions asap. Thank you.

[Drumachine09]

Hold it a few inches above a lighter to soften it, and then press it against a conical object to open the end up.

[Nautilus29]

Heating it up is the best way to do it, if not the only way.

[RainMan]

A pair of small needle nose pliers works good as the "conical" object. Plus you can try to open them up with the handle to stretch it out. I use this method all the time on vacuum tubing.

[travie]

How long should I heat it up?

[Drumachine09]

Not long, just enough to get it soft.

I just tried a bit of tubing so I could give you an accurate answer. I noticed that when it is becoming stretchable, the end where you cut it gets a bit wavy. Hope that helps.

[travie]

Thank you. I will go try again. I wasn't trying the whole couple hours inbetween my posts though.

[Billythefish]

Just nibble it with your front teeth (if you have any. Lol) then lick it and stick it!

[gem]

If you heat a cup of water in the microwave like 2 min. or on the stove almost to boiling....then all you have to do is dip it in the hot water and hold it for like 30 seconds and it will be very soft and stretch easily.

[cocoa_pleco]

stick it in boiling water for 10-20 seconds

[travie]

As soon as I get home I will try it with boiling water. I will let you know if it doesn't work. Thanks for alll thelp so far.

[travie]

I put it in boiling water for 10-20 seconds. Currently have the handles to needle-nose pliers in it.

[RainMan]

How did it work out? Pretty exciting stuff. LOL

[travie]

I got the hose to size and on the overflow box. But my whole plan of connecting tanks is on hold/ruined possibly under the present conditions... Grr... Having a basement that makes your floor not able to hold two tanks in the same square of flooring.

[RainMan]

That sucks... isn't that the way of life? If it's not one thing it's another.

[travie]

So pretty much, I will have to wait until I'm out of college and have my own place before I can connect my two tanks.

[Billythefish]

I got the hose to size and on the overflow box. But my whole plan of connecting tanks is on hold/ruined possibly under the present conditions... Grr... Having a basement that makes your floor not able to hold two tanks in the same square of flooring.
Thats bad news may be you could sit your tanks on top of each other and have wall brakets to take some of the stress! Just an idea

[travie]

I don't know if the parentals would agree/want to go through the work.

[PUNISHER VETTE]

Little late now but i tried the lighter technique on the small vinyl tubing and it never really works for me. It might stretch it out some but it hardens after that and is basically useless.

I've never heard of the boiling water technique but that sound a lot better then the lighter one and will definitely try that next time i need to stretch a hose.

[travie]

Definitely try the boiling water. It worked the best for me, and it gave me the results I wanted.