Sched 20 PVC Pipe Safe? & What about glue?

[DeathStalker]

Hi all!

I've been wanting to re-plum my FX6 and I thought that I could use some 1" inside diameter clear vinyl tubing and 3/4" Sched 20 PVC pipe. Unfortunately, I found out the hard way (after spending $60 on the blasted vinyl tubing!) that the OUTSIDE diameter is too large for the tank adapters of the FX4/5/6. So I'm wondering if I should just try the 3/4" PVC pipe as the conduit over the edge and into the tank, but I've found conflicting reports on whether it's "safe" or not. I KNOW that the stores and stuff all use PVC in the back, but no idea what glue/cement is safe with it. I've thought about trying to do the bending with sand and a hair dryer, but not sure I really want to do that.

I am beyond pissed that the outside diameter is too large (because it was RIDICULOUSLY hard to get on the in/out value stems).

Thanks.

 

[Oughtsix]

I would never use schedule 20 PVC on anything! Schedule 40 PVC is the thinnest I would consider using for anything.

I have a yard full of Schedule 20 pipe for irrigation that I have been replacing one piece at a time when it breaks over the past 15 years because the original installer wanted to save probably $50 on the cost of pipe for the whole install.

I use over the rim PVC inlets all the time. There is nothing wrong with using PVC for this. All of the PVC cement you buy at the hardware store is drinking water safe after it has set so any of it will by fine for aquarium use.

P.S. I often use the NPT to barb fittings found in the Poly Pipe section of Lowes / HomeDepot for connecting tubing to PVC. I also have never had much luck bending PVC, I usually just use a couple PVC elbow fittings to go over the edge of my tanks.

 

[DeathStalker]

Ok, I was worried about the loss of water pressure with the elbows. Right now I just used the Sched 20 of the drop lines into the tank. If I ever end up needing to replace them for Sched 40, that's no big deal ?