So who uses ABS black pipe for there tank plumbing? I am going to use it but I know there has been alot of talk of only the white PVC being safe. I tend to disagree. So just throwing it out there.
ABS for plumbing
- Thread starter CANAMONSTER
- Start date
I disagree as well. I have used abs short term with success personally. Inevitably someone will chime in and say long term causes leaching. Well there is a guy here locally that breeds seahorses, tons and tons of them. And he had used abs his entire life, no issue. Some of his tanks are over 30 years old with 30 year old abs. And we know how fragile and finicky seahorses are, and what salt water tends to do to things. After seeing this, it was good enough for me to deem that abs doesn't have any affect on aquariums. Hope I'm right.
Right on Dave ! Also from all the research online I have done there is absolutely zero leaching from ABS, so long it's not fire retardant ABS.
It's Cheaper
Easier to obtain
And BLACK!
It's Cheaper
Easier to obtain
And BLACK!
Exactly, I believe the ID is generally the same but the OD varies, I believe it becomes more negligible at higher sizes but I think there is a difference. I know some bulkheads fit better than others with ABS, that's about as far as that knowledge goes though.
ABS in general comes at different sizes than pvc because it has different applications outside of the aquarium hobby. Not that it would matter here in this instance either but ABS has a far lower pressure tolerance than PVC.
I use an ABS "T" to connect two strainers on the intake of my closed loop circulation. It's been there for about 1.5 years now. I used it since it would be seen inside my tank and I didn't want to use the white PVC. I do use a white PVC to connect the T to the Bulkhead though.
I did a lot of internet research FWIW, and concluded that it was safe for my purpose. Although I do know there's still varying camps on this. To be honest a part of my logic was my bulkheads had some form of ABS as well, mixed material of not, so I took a chance.
I did a lot of internet research FWIW, and concluded that it was safe for my purpose. Although I do know there's still varying camps on this. To be honest a part of my logic was my bulkheads had some form of ABS as well, mixed material of not, so I took a chance.