Pumps

I am using two identical magnetic drive pumps, Teel/Dayton model 1P677A. The pump has 5/8 O.D. ports for inlet and outlet connections. On the input side of the plumbing, I use rigid 5/8 O.D. copper tubing. This will eliminate any possible collapsing that may be caused by suction.
I use a three inch piece of plastic tubing, along with two hose clamps as couplings throughout the plumbing.This is quick and inexpensive, and most importantly, allows any strain on the pump housing to be relieved. I have heard of others who hard connect, only to find a cracked pump housing because of some stress caused by slight misalignment.
The ball valves are mounted onto a metal panel for support with two U-bolts each. Plastic 5/8 hose barbs to 1/2 inch NPT connect to the clear plastic tubing. Hose clamps make a secure connection. I eliminated all quick disconnects, and have plumbed the rig in such a manner that only one switch is needed. The tubing is soft, and is easily pinch/folded and slipped off and then on to the other ball valve when I change from recirculation to sparging. I might spill a few drops at the most, and the whole switch takes less than a minute. An electric screwdriver with a hex bit is very handy for quick hose clamp changes.

I originally used the ball valves to adjust the flow rates, and I found this difficult to do because sometimes a few grains will clog up the partially open ball valve, causing what appears to be a stuck mash, but is really just a clogged valve. A big improvement was to install a fan motor speed controller for the recirculation pump. Now, I can open the ball valve fully and adjust flow rate with the motor speed.

The clear tubing is nice because through it I can see the wort circulating, and when first doughing in, the liquor appears very cloudy. As the enzymes perform the conversion, I can easily see the changes to the liquor which finally turns very clear and transparent; clear enough to read newsprint through the tubing. I know conversion is done then, as dissolved starch is translucent, whereas dissolved sugar is transparent.

The Pumps and Plumbing