ABS plastic tubing; safe in a reef?

merseyman · 02/26/2007, 06:55 PM

... plumbing my 120g. using mostly pvc, but i have an area where a 2" pipe and siphon will be in the virtual center of the tank, and I'd prefer to use some ABS that I saw at HD for the simple reason that it is black rather than white. Is ABS reefsafe, chemistry wise? Thanks,

usmcsgt · 02/26/2007, 07:09 PM

i used it

oxbeard · 02/26/2007, 07:54 PM

I actually did a google about this very topic over the weekend. Had a piece of black ABS I was going to use but while I was drilling some holes in it I noticed a smell to it. Got concerned and figured I better research before I put it in the tank(sump actually).

Found a couple Q&A online aquarium articles about it. Both basically said that it could leach chemicals back into the water and that is why it wasn't approved in the US for supply lines, approved for drainage only. Not sure it it is exactly the same thing you're talking about, but it is the only black pipe I have found locally.

Decided against using it myself. Too big of a risk if there are questions about it.

sidelines24 · 03/04/2007, 06:24 AM

Next frag swap at Down Under is april 21 at 3 pm thanks Kevin

02/26/2007, 06:55 PM	#1
merseyman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: san francisco Posts: 381	ABS plastic tubing; safe in a reef? ... plumbing my 120g. using mostly pvc, but i have an area where a 2" pipe and siphon will be in the virtual center of the tank, and I'd prefer to use some ABS that I saw at HD for the simple reason that it is black rather than white. Is ABS reefsafe, chemistry wise? Thanks, __________________ ...there's not necessarily always tomorrow... Current Tank Info: 120g, 4-sided starphire, "island" overflow. Being built!

02/26/2007, 07:09 PM	#2
usmcsgt Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Pensacola Fl. Posts: 999	i used it __________________ There are no such things as limits to growth, because there are no limits on the human capacity for intelligence, imagination and wonder. -- Ronald Reagan Current Tank Info: 100 Gal Mixed reef Cube.

02/26/2007, 07:54 PM	#3
oxbeard Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 80	I actually did a google about this very topic over the weekend. Had a piece of black ABS I was going to use but while I was drilling some holes in it I noticed a smell to it. Got concerned and figured I better research before I put it in the tank(sump actually). Found a couple Q&A online aquarium articles about it. Both basically said that it could leach chemicals back into the water and that is why it wasn't approved in the US for supply lines, approved for drainage only. Not sure it it is exactly the same thing you're talking about, but it is the only black pipe I have found locally. Decided against using it myself. Too big of a risk if there are questions about it. __________________ You seem somewhat familiar. Have I threatened you before? Current Tank Info: not enough, planning for 500g expansion

03/04/2007, 06:24 AM	#4
sidelines24 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: garner Posts: 20	Frag Swap Next frag swap at Down Under is april 21 at 3 pm thanks Kevin