Reclaiming used PVC pipe

[luvinbluegills]

I wasn't sure whether to put this here or in the General forum, but I figure starting here is probably where I find the folks fastest who've done this.

I've got a few old lengths of PVC in various sizes that have accumulated in the basement after repairing lines over the years. They HAVE been used and therein lies my question; generally speaking, is it safe for me to scrub that pipe and use it for cover in my aquariums?

I know that PVC isn't supposed to either absorb or (to any appreciable degree) leach anything into the water, but is there any risk using pipes that have carried sewage? The plan would be to cut them down to less than 12" pieces, discard the ends on which adhesive has been used, boil the remaining pieces, scrub them inside and out, boil again and rinse.

What say ye?

 

[Oughtsix]

Sewage is usually carried in black ABS pipe and fresh supply water in PVC.

PVC can get brittle over time. Especially if it is exposed to UV (sun light). That Said I have 10 year old PVC in my pile in my shop that I use when needed. PVC pipe is pretty cheap so it is not worth the risk of using questionable pipe (to me at least). I would never use anything than schedule 40 PVC in any project (home plumbing or Aquarium). Schedule 20 is just too thin and breaks too easy.

 

[Inglorious]

PVC is cheap enough that I would feel much safer just buying it all new then worrying about some type of contaminant getting into my tank.

 

[luvinbluegills]

Sewage is usually carried in black ABS pipe and fresh supply water in PVC.

PVC can get brittle over time. Especially if it is exposed to UV (sun light). That Said I have 10 year old PVC in my pile in my shop that I use when needed. PVC pipe is pretty cheap so it is not worth the risk of using questionable pipe (to me at least). I would never use anything than schedule 40 PVC in any project (home plumbing or Aquarium). Schedule 20 is just too thin and breaks too easy.

D'oh! I forgot ABS is the output line. I was just thinking of the gunk inside the PVC and now I really don't know from where it came! I'll probably get a new piece since I expect to rearrange the tank where I need it this Friday, and maybe I'll go ahead and clean the old pipe over the weekend for the future. Thanks!

 

[luvinbluegills]

PVC is cheap enough that I would feel much safer just buying it all new then worrying about some type of contaminant getting into my tank.

You do make a good point! Maybe I'll experiment on a tank full of leftover baitfish. There's always some of them floating around.

 

[Oughtsix]

The PVC in my shop has cob webs and sawdust in it. I just blow it out with an air compressor. I haven't worried too much about contaminants because I know where the PVC came from. I use it for irrigation system repair, aquarium plumbing and an occasional home plumbing project.

Tip: The yellow tinted PVC is called CPVC. It is made for carrying Hot water and has a slightly different diameter than regular PVC so regular PVC fittings won't work with it.