how safe is pc/plastic pipeing

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bathawk

Polypterus
MFK Member
Oct 19, 2014
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Hi I have a selection of small catfish 2 sun catfish 2 pyjama catfish and 1 asian bumble bee catfish .My tank is heavly planted most of these catfish hide within the plants yesterday one of the sun catfish got his fin trapped in the mesh of roots from an anabus plant if I didnt see him I think he would have died . I have removed some of the anabus and managed to get some plastic/pvc pipe joints B&Q from Bwhich I can use as caves was wondering if this stuff is ok for the aquarium
 
If it is sold for the purpose of (potentially) carrying drinking water, it must be very safe for the fish too.

It's mostly the dirt, grease / oil, detergents, etc. that it may have on the surface that may matter. If it looks and feels clean, I'd just rinse it and use as is. If worried, can wash with a mild detergent and rinse well.
 
No, PVC is hazardous from production to disposal and that’s why it is called the poison plastic. There’s no safe way to manufacture, use or dispose of PVC products. PVC’s lifecycle uses and releases highly hazardous chemicals including dioxins and furans, vinyl chloride, ethylene dichloride, phthalates, mercury and other chemicals. In addition, PVC chemical plants pollute the air and groundwater of surrounding communities, harming the health of neighbors and workers such as in Mossville, Louisiana.

From both an environmental and health standpoint, PVC is the most toxic plastic. Here's why: Vinyl chloride, the chemical used to make PVC, is a known human carcinogen, according to the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
 
Here's more...

PVC has also been blamed for emitting chemical softeners called phthalates (in vinyl flooring), lead additives (in blinds), and toxic glues. For instance, one study of PVC shower curtains found that they released phthalates capable of causing nausea and damage to the liver and reproductive system. Vinyl chloride, an essential component of PVC, is a carcinogenic and potentially explosive gas with a mild, sweet odor. It can enter drinking water released from contact with PVC pipes, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Why don't you buy underground clay pipe products instead. They come in many diameters and shapes, plus they don't float. Check out this link http://missionclay.com
 
My local fish shop went through 3 large RO systems as he kept getting high TDS readings in the RO water, it turned out to be the black pvc pond pipe he was using.

Neat RO water is very unstable and is looking to re-mineralise, I think this causes it to leach anything back in, that is why you should not drink neat RO (I persoanally feel it should not be used neat in fresh water setups unless re-mineralised or mixed with tap.)

If you use clay pipes I would suggest putting them in a bucket of water overnight and take a before and after PH reading as I had one that sent the PH up, I broke it open and it had concrete inside and was porous I guess, I spoke to the local reclamation yard and he said it was not uncommon to have concrete in. In that instance you would need a pond concrete sealant or use another pipe.
 
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I use tap water I didnt buy the pvc ones it felt too rubbery I did get some standard plastic pipeing instead
 
No, PVC is hazardous from production to disposal and that’s why it is called the poison plastic. There’s no safe way to manufacture, use or dispose of PVC products. PVC’s lifecycle uses and releases highly hazardous chemicals including dioxins and furans, vinyl chloride, ethylene dichloride, phthalates, mercury and other chemicals. In addition, PVC chemical plants pollute the air and groundwater of surrounding communities, harming the health of neighbors and workers such as in Mossville, Louisiana.

From both an environmental and health standpoint, PVC is the most toxic plastic. Here's why: Vinyl chloride, the chemical used to make PVC, is a known human carcinogen, according to the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
So why do you suppose so many people get away with using it? Just looking to learn
 
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