anyone got a pex (plumbing) fish tank setup?

[Oreo]

Are you sure you weren't thinking of polybutylene tubing? It was used for years in mobile homes but is now illegal (at least in Oregon).

Honestly, I can't be sure. I'm no professional plumber, & the people I learned from / worked with may have been mistaken.

You guys make a good case here for PEX, although I also would prefer something bonded at the joints. But I had no idea that CPVC had such problems. I was under the impression that it was a wonder-material for residential plumbing with the exception of being a smoke hazard in the case of a fire. I also thought that PVC was ok for potable water, but would get soft from the temperature of residential hot water.

Sorry for the thread derail. Lots of good plumbing info here though.

 

[Dan F]

Honestly, I can't be sure. I'm no professional plumber, & the people I learned from / worked with may have been mistaken.

You guys make a good case here for PEX, although I also would prefer something bonded at the joints. But I had no idea that CPVC had such problems. I was under the impression that it was a wonder-material for residential plumbing with the exception of being a smoke hazard in the case of a fire. I also thought that PVC was ok for potable water, but would get soft from the temperature of residential hot water.

Sorry for the thread derail. Lots of good plumbing info here though.

Not a derail at all - It's all about the plumbing!

CPVC's problems (aside from a lack of rigidity/strength) show up years down the road. My parents used it on their house when they built it twelve years ago. Any time I have to work on it I cringe, if you're not careful cutting it it shatters. Some plumbers may disagree, but I can't stand the stuff!

I hear you about the joints not being bonded, but mechanical joints can be extremely reliable - threaded and flare joints are both very strong connections.

You're 100% correct about PVC, it's good for COLD potable water. In plumbing school they showed us PVC that was used for hot water. It blew up like a balloon before rupturing!

 

[Oreo]

Out of curiosity, how were you cutting the CPVC in your parents' house? And was it 3/4" or 1/2"? I'm thinking of those sheers that are meant to cut plastic pipe, but they apply a pretty good crush force before the pipe actually gives way to cutting. Obviously, the larger the pipe diameter the more force required to cut.

Also, lets say I had a 5' length of this old-brittle CPVC you're talking about. How brittle would you say it is? Could I flex this 5' section at all? Or could I shatter it just by grabbing one end & giving it a good shake?

 

[dmopar74]

old cpvc will shatter when using shear cutters every time, a hand/hack saw is needed for the old stuff.