Why PVC for inline reactor?

M

Mooch28

AC Members
Dec 24, 2004
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Toronto (Brampton)
Everyone always suggest using PVC piping, but why? Why cant you just use the regular black piping to build a reactor? Ive had a small black pipe as such, sitting at the bank of my tank for month without any ill effects. Its for my loaches to hide in if your wondering why......

I really dont see what the difference is?
 
The black piping is the one called ABS, right?

If it is, I believe you can use it as well, as I've seen instructions (will have to dig up the links if you want them), for building a DIY CO2 reactor with both PVC and ABS
 
Darkblade48 said:
The black piping is the one called ABS, right?

If it is, I believe you can use it as well, as I've seen instructions (will have to dig up the links if you want them), for building a DIY CO2 reactor with both PVC and ABS
Click to expand...

Yes ABS is the right term i believe. Its just that ive heard people say PVC is better, but i see no logic in that.........

Thanks.
 
I've heard that the ABS "leaches" certain undesirables over time, but I could be completely regurgitating crap! :eek:
 
Well price isnt an issue really, because its not costing me much anyways. Plus most hardware stores dont carry a variety of PVC piping. In total ABS will cost me 18 dollars canadian to build a 2 feet by 2 inch reactor plus bioballs. With PVC id probably save like 2-3 bucks, and with all the hastle id go through finding the right PVC parts, id rather pay that extra 3 bucks or so.......

Oh and as for leaching with ABS?, like i said ive had a small ABS pipe in my tank for my baby loaches, and it hasent leached a single drop in months. This is just a myth i suppose........

Thanks again guys!
 
I was advised at one time to use PVC, as it is not code to use ABS for drinking water installation in housing. I believe it had something to so with chemical composition, but can't remember what the problem was.
I would go with PVC for that reason, since they are comparable in price.

Len
 
Len, That was the same thing that I thought of also. I know that ABS is allowed for drainage/waste water, but not for feed lines. I don't know, however, if it is because of the bursting pressure of ABS, or chemical leaching.
 
I have seen ABS used for pressurized water delivery and it does burst far too easily. There are abaout a million things sold for aquariums made out of ABS plastic, but I am no chemist, and therefore hate to speculate. Either way I would put far more trust in PVC based on pressure capabilities alone (I know, an impellar doesn't build much pressure).
BTW MOOCH, I took pictures last weekend in hopes of sendingg them to you this week, but now I am in Ohio and my Digital camera complete with pictures is in the lost and found area in Atlanta air port. I should have something for you by Saturday. BTW if you have snails skip out on the Hagen ladder Idea. the thicker the bio-film gets on my ladders, the more snails get in the way of the bubbles. It's about to drive me knuts !!!!
dave
 
daveedka said:
I have seen ABS used for pressurized water delivery and it does burst far too easily. There are abaout a million things sold for aquariums made out of ABS plastic, but I am no chemist, and therefore hate to speculate. Either way I would put far more trust in PVC based on pressure capabilities alone (I know, an impellar doesn't build much pressure).
BTW MOOCH, I took pictures last weekend in hopes of sendingg them to you this week, but now I am in Ohio and my Digital camera complete with pictures is in the lost and found area in Atlanta air port. I should have something for you by Saturday. BTW if you have snails skip out on the Hagen ladder Idea. the thicker the bio-film gets on my ladders, the more snails get in the way of the bubbles. It's about to drive me knuts !!!!
dave
Click to expand...

Thanks Dave, no worries on the pictures. Im running my C02 through my wave maker and easily getting 30-35ppm of C02 concentration in my tank with just 2 bubbles a second. Appreciate the help though Dave!

Anyways, so is see the reason now why ABS is no good, you guys have any idea where i can get 2 inch PVC pipes along with all the attachements for them? I checked out some big hardware stores such as Homedepot, Building Box, and Rona, but non of them carry what i need for PVC.
 
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