Are all pipe materials equal ?

[sroberts_]

I need to run some piping between my tank and sump as I'm relocating my sump to the garage, at present I use flexible hose, but this isn't an option with the distance involved.

What I'd like to know is if anyone has had problems or knows of any issues with using standard PVC pipe (32mm), such as that sold in various DIY stores (B&Q, Homebase etc)

I guess I'm concerned about long term leeching of toxic chemicals in the PVC into the aquarium water.

Danny at Watford Aq supplied me with some small sections of U-PVC piping a while back but I never used it, it's described as suitable for 'potable' water (whatever that is !http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif and is made by a company called VDL (not that I can find them on the web), and is a very dark grey (almost black), I've checked pricing on his website for the lengths and connections I need and it's going to cost me a fortune if I have to use that !

Any suggestions greatly appreciated. http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Andyb]

Do a search on the site and you will see all you want to know and more

[Cam]

Hi,

I use the standard B&Q ABS waste pipe in my system. I suspected that it was responsible for months of slime algae (cyano) problems, but it turned out not to be the case.

As to the long term effects of possible leeching, no one has been able to give an answer to this, not even Marley the pipe manufacturers!

If I were to set up a new system I would probably not use it just to be on the safe side.

Hope this helps,

Cam.

[robin]

ABS is as good as it gets. It's potable (drinking water) grade. Most of your continental equipment is supplied with grey metric ABS. TMC supply & use basic white Spears (US) solvent weld ABS swimming pool pipe & fittings on their supa-dupa professional kits like their multi UV units. You can get white Spears and similar a lot cheaper by visiting your local swimming pool supply outlet (e.g. my local supplier does a three section 1.5" sw ball valve in ABS for a tenner). Metric/Inch adaptors are available.

DIY store mains pressure pipe can be got in ABS - don't know if they do a suitable tank connector though, although JG Speedfit does one. Be aware that ordinary household pipes rarely fit other brands, and the fittings are (from my experience) very often incompatable with aquarium & swimming pool products. A DIY store 40mm just ain't gonna fit a 40mm aquarium tank connector. *http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif



Last edited by robin at Oct. 04 2002,08:08

[pavlo]

ABS waste pipe has a fungicide added during manufacture nand should not be used.

Hth


Paul

[sroberts_]

Thanks to all that have posted, after consideration of your comments, plus some other threads I've found on site, I'm going to pay Danny a visit afterall...

Cheers,

Steve. http://www.ultimatereef.com/ibv3/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[robin]

Yes Pavlo is right. Some ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) waste pipes are not potable. Potable ABS should have a seal or mark attesting suitability. However suitable ABS pipe and fittings are used for food & beverage processing, pharmaceuticals, swimming pools, chemical production, ultra pure water and potable water.

[sroberts_]

Picked up a truck load of grey VDL piping and fittings from Watford Aq. today.

[robin]

Don't know if anyone's noticed, but all the TMC professional equipment supplied for the trade is made up from Spears swimming pool pipe & fittings. Have a look at their multi UV and filtration sytems. 1.5" & 2" pipes and fittings obtainable at any swimming pool spares supplier. Anyone with pipecutters or a saw, and some solvent weld cement, can make these up, and probably at a fraction of the cost.