What is the proper tubing to use for a softener drain line that uses a barbed male adapter on the control head?

I ask because another softener I had used a hard (still bendable) 1/2 tubing.... the only stuff I can find at the store is the soft clear stuff.


I currently have pvc drain line. I am concerned that if it clogs, it would damage the softener (fleck 5600)... is that correct? Where the clear plastic stuff, I could see a clog coming buts its nowhere near as durable and neat looking as the pvc.

Which would you use?



Edited 2 times.

a hose clamp may not squeeze the hard tubing tightly enough. use the soft..
if you do use the hard, heat the end slightly to soften it so the clamp will squeeze it better.

I use 1/2" pex and heat the pipe before forcing it on the fitting.

pex on the drain barb? Do I have to use a pex crimp or is a basic hose clamp sufficient?

Is good ol' pvc not recommended?

A crimp ring won't work, the size of the fitting expands the pipe too much. A worm gear clamp will be sufficient.