ABS reef safe?

tim_s · 04/02/2012, 06:04 PM

Hi Everyone,

Honestly!~ I can never get a straight answer here, I live in Canada which with the popularity of flex tubing has made PVC obsolete in most cases, outside of visiting specialized stores, ABS is far far far more popular than PVC.

I ran into an issue where I could not find an adapter to take 3/4" NPT to 1 1/2", in-fact I bought most of my pieces from Florida on my recent visit.

I find my self in the exact same position where I am looking for a specific piece that sensible work around within the tight space is not easily possible whereas the ABS counter-part is readily available.

Question: Is ABS potable?

** This is a tough research topic in the fact that it is 50% 50% on whether the answer to this question is yes or not.

The store I would looking to purchase the pieces from is Home Depot

porksmash · 04/02/2012, 06:17 PM

Nearly all bulkheads people use are ABS and I don't see them killing things. I'd say it's fine.

tim_s · 04/02/2012, 06:45 PM

This is what I figured.

tkeracer619 · 04/02/2012, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porksmash

Nearly all bulkheads people use are ABS and I don't see them killing things. I'd say it's fine.

^^ this

daplatapus · 04/02/2012, 10:18 PM

Yup, when I was looking into it the only real difference was that ABS isn't pressure rated, we only use it in drain systems not supplies. The PVC is rated to take pressure.
Now I don't know if you can ABS cement though (the yellow stuff). I used the grey pvc cement and everything holds really good.

04/02/2012, 06:04 PM	#1
tim_s Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 36	ABS reef safe? Hi Everyone, Honestly!~ I can never get a straight answer here, I live in Canada which with the popularity of flex tubing has made PVC obsolete in most cases, outside of visiting specialized stores, ABS is far far far more popular than PVC. I ran into an issue where I could not find an adapter to take 3/4" NPT to 1 1/2", in-fact I bought most of my pieces from Florida on my recent visit. I find my self in the exact same position where I am looking for a specific piece that sensible work around within the tight space is not easily possible whereas the ABS counter-part is readily available. Question: Is ABS potable? ** This is a tough research topic in the fact that it is 50% 50% on whether the answer to this question is yes or not. The store I would looking to purchase the pieces from is Home Depot

04/02/2012, 10:18 PM	#5
daplatapus Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Port Alberni, B.C., Canada Posts: 895	Yup, when I was looking into it the only real difference was that ABS isn't pressure rated, we only use it in drain systems not supplies. The PVC is rated to take pressure. Now I don't know if you can ABS cement though (the yellow stuff). I used the grey pvc cement and everything holds really good. __________________ 130 lbs Tonga LR, GFO and Carbon reactors, Tunze ozmolator ATO, 2- 20 gal QT tanks, Current Tank Info: 80 gal display 48L X 24H X16D, 2 MP-40's, Odyssea 2-250W MH 4-HO T-5 Actinic's, 80 lbs Aragonite sand, 4 - 150W titanium heaters, Reeflo Baracuda return pump, 150gal sump, Filter Guys Reef Miser 6 stage + 1 Dual RO/DI, LifeReef 48" Skimmer

04/02/2012, 06:17 PM	#2
porksmash Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 137	Nearly all bulkheads people use are ABS and I don't see them killing things. I'd say it's fine.

04/02/2012, 06:45 PM	#3
tim_s Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 36	This is what I figured.