PVC VS ABS

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
G

Gprime

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Sep 2, 2008
306
0
0
Ottawa
Just doing the plumbing for my 120g reef tank and can hardly find any PVC locally and was wondering about using ABS, i know most people use PVC but is there anything wrong with using ABS? Are there any chemicals in it that will overtime leach out into the water? Or is ABS perfectly safe to use? I have some PVC pipe , the only real problem i was having was finding the fittings for it such as sanitary tee's and street elbows etc... There's a glue/cement or w/e that bonds the 2 together, anything i should be concerned about with using that as well? (IE: being harmful to any life in the tank)

Also i dont want to spend a ridiculous price on "aquarium safe silicone" in a fish store so is there anything i can buy in a hardware store that's reef safe? Like a specific brand from home depot/Lowes.
 
Home Depot and Lowe's don't have PVC in Canada?

You can use 100% silicone with no mildew protection(important). It is the exact same stuff they bottle up and sell at LFS's for 3-4 times as much.
 
They do but, they dont have the fittings i need (right sizes)

do you know anything about abs? or abs to pvc glue?
 
Oatey regular strength pvc cement will also bond abs to abs or abs to pvc.

Deburr any cut pipe. Prime the pipe and coupling that is accepting it, and do the same with the glue. Insert pipe into coupling, give it a slight twist, AND HOLD FOR 15 SECONDS. Most people dont do that, and that is the source of the leak, if there are to be any. As the plastic softens from the glue, it also swells slightly, pushing it out just a little.

There is nothing wrong with using the cement. Something relatively similar is used to chemically weld the seams of an acrylic tank.

And on that note, dont get the cement on anything acrylic. It will craze and possibly crack.


If you can find PVC, check the schedule. Typical bulkheads are a schedule 40. If doing pvc to abs, dont be afraid to play with the parts in the store to make sure that match up. Ive made trips back because I was too afraid to look like a dunce in the aisle playing with fittings.


For threads, you can use Teflon tape, Teflon paste, or silicone grease. I prefer silicon grease and Teflon tape, depending on what it is I am doing.

Have fun!!
 
Sometimes you will need a different cement, but if you have the one heathd is talking about you should be in the clear.

As far as the bulkheads and the such go, look for stuff on www.marinedepot.com

It might not be the cheapest, but you should be able to get everything you need there.

Im a teflon tape guy, but Im not afraid to give a good dose of silicone wherever there is any doubt.

+1 for the walk through on pvc cementing as well.
 
alright thanks guys, also about the silicone i picked up some GE 100% silicone clear and it doesnt say anything about mildew/mold prevention and what not so im assuming its safe to use?

i never user marinedepot, shipping prices are retarded. 150 to ship the light fixture i want, that's without insurance. and they have the bulbs i need but cant ship them for some unknown reason.

i much prefer BRS, better prices and more reasonable shipping charges. only ~$60 bucks for the fixture and bulbs with insurance to ship.
 
Gprime;4898805; said:
alright thanks guys, also about the silicone i picked up some GE 100% silicone clear and it doesnt say anything about mildew/mold prevention and what not so im assuming its safe to use?

i never user marinedepot, shipping prices are retarded. 150 to ship the light fixture i want, that's without insurance. and they have the bulbs i need but cant ship them for some unknown reason.

i much prefer BRS, better prices and more reasonable shipping charges. only ~$60 bucks for the fixture and bulbs with insurance to ship.
Click to expand...
GE type 1 silicone is safe for use, even though it says not for aquarium use. Type 2 is good if you want black silicone. Many people have debated about the additives in type 2 causing problems, but I have used it with zero problems.
 
clemsonguy1125;4901085; said:
From my understanding, ABS is used in cooler climates due to the cold weather. PVC becomes brittle in cool weather.
Click to expand...


ABS is more porous. if it gets to cold it'll split rather then crack and break like PVC.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom