Brass hose barb adaptor- Safe?

Reefahholic · 01/07/2011, 08:26 PM

I just got a 1/2" Hose barb adaptor for my mag-drive 5 pump that will obviously be used on the end of my flex tube connecting to my pump for filling my tank up when doing water changes. Since this brass piece will be exposed to the water, I was wondering if it would be safe for the fish and corals? Maybe I should have got PVC, but I couldn't find it at Lowes.

needmore-reef · 01/07/2011, 08:38 PM

were you looking for 1/2" FPT to 1/2" barb?

Aristarchus · 01/07/2011, 08:49 PM

a pvc hose barb is less than a buck, why not buy one instead? i do believe the brass will break down in the salt environment and cause issues

RRaider · 01/07/2011, 09:03 PM

Nope, brass is not reef safe.

The CHop · 01/07/2011, 09:06 PM

+1 on pvc brass is bad news. Your LFS doesn't carry them? There super cheap online. After shipping though who would know add them to another order. If not your local plumbing supply place should carry them. Like a supply place that a contractor would use. Hate to say it as well and it sounds funny but if you have one of those horticulture shops they will have one. I buy all my barb fitting and top off floats through the horticulture shop in my town. The guy looks at ya kinda funny when you say its for a fish tank but ya get to laugh inside.

Reefahholic · 01/07/2011, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by needmore-reef

were you looking for 1/2" FPT to 1/2" barb?

Actually, I think it is 1/2" Barb x 1/2" FIP. New at this, could be wrong.

Reefahholic · 01/07/2011, 09:12 PM

yeah, I figured that....wanted the PVC and they didn't have it so like an impatient kid, I bought the brass.

Thanks guys!

pimp4cheddar · 01/07/2011, 09:16 PM

Brass is no bueno...go plastic

rxx2 · 01/07/2011, 09:24 PM

Brass is made of copper and zinc, not good for a reef tank.

cakemanPA · 01/07/2011, 09:58 PM

Brass ====> bad

csal1-175 · 01/07/2011, 10:31 PM

Lowes has the pvc ones I have them on my Mag 7...

iwishtofish · 01/07/2011, 11:13 PM

I finally found my pvc barb fittings at Lowe's. They were in the next aisle over from the pvc couplings, elbows, etc...

Reefahholic · 01/08/2011, 02:14 AM

ok....im going back this morning.

can anybody recommend a good store to get PVC for plumbing? Do most of you guys get ALL your plumbing for standpipes and returns online?

USplastics seemed expensive..

evsalty · 01/08/2011, 02:23 AM

Lowes mostly or me since home Depot has shat for PVC stuff. Ace sometimes will carry things that Lowes and HD do not. For the barb fitting I usually get the nylon ones from Lowes. The only plumbing parts that I HAVE to order online are the actual bulkheads since none of those stares carry them. All 4 Lowes that I frequent all sell true union ballvalves and all the rest of the basic stuff.

Reefahholic · 01/08/2011, 09:44 PM

Just got back from lowes, and got another 1/2 barb and my tube barely fits it. Sure seems different from the other, yet both were 1/2"

I'll post a pic

Reefahholic · 01/08/2011, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefahholic

Just got back from lowes, and got another 1/2 barb and my tube barely fits it. Sure seems different from the other, yet both were 1/2" The other was just snug but this one is extremely sung!

I'll post a pic

cakemanPA · 01/08/2011, 10:16 PM

I would recommend putting the tubing in very hot water and then try that fitting again. I would want more tubing on the barb than that.

The CHop · 01/08/2011, 10:18 PM

yup hot water is the key. Also make sure to get a hose clap on it as well. It might just me being crazy but I put them on all my pvc fitting just tighten it down snug or you will break the fitting. Lets ya sleep better at night.

Reefahholic · 01/08/2011, 10:39 PM

thanks chop and cakeman, ill try the hot water.

yeah, never can be too safe in my book. like you said, makes you sleep better.

Grant W · 01/09/2011, 01:09 AM

another way to soften the clear tubing is with a heat gun or blowdryer

Reefahholic · 01/09/2011, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grant W

another way to soften the clear tubing is with a heat gun or blowdryer

i heated water in a measuring cup and got it almost to the end, but it's still lackin' about a 1/4"

i didn't think about the hair dryer, thanks..

cakemanPA · 01/09/2011, 09:01 AM

If you got it all on -1/4", you are good to go. And don't use metal clamps if you are going to clamp at all. If I had to use the hot water method to get the tubing on the barb, I did not clamp. If the tubing went on without needing to be heated up, I double plastic clamped the tubing

01/07/2011, 08:26 PM	#1
Reefahholic Moved On Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: League City, Texas Posts: 3,974	Brass hose barb adaptor- Safe? I just got a 1/2" Hose barb adaptor for my mag-drive 5 pump that will obviously be used on the end of my flex tube connecting to my pump for filling my tank up when doing water changes. Since this brass piece will be exposed to the water, I was wondering if it would be safe for the fish and corals? Maybe I should have got PVC, but I couldn't find it at Lowes.

01/07/2011, 08:49 PM	#3
Aristarchus Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Tri-cities, WA Posts: 272	a pvc hose barb is less than a buck, why not buy one instead? i do believe the brass will break down in the salt environment and cause issues __________________ New tank: CFI Fabrications 120g 48x24x24, 40g sump, Metal Halides 2x250w DE HQI and 2x110w VHO Super Actinics, Closed Loop w/ Oceans Motions 4-way via Dolphin Amp Master 5600/4700, Neptune Apex Lite, TLF-150 Phosban Reactor, AquaC EV-120(skimmer to be replaced soon)

01/07/2011, 10:31 PM	#11
csal1-175 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Balto.Md Posts: 92	Lowes has the pvc ones I have them on my Mag 7... __________________ Current Tank Info: 48x36x24 Rimless, RKE,Eheim,5 AI Sol super blues,MP40 x2,SWC200 Xtreme,Geo kalk reactor,Korallin Cal reactor ....

01/09/2011, 01:09 AM	#20
Grant W Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Petaluma,Ca Posts: 2,840	another way to soften the clear tubing is with a heat gun or blowdryer __________________ Really honey, I'm not going to buy anything at the fish store I'm just going to have a look. The Other Pres. at Wine Country Reefers. Current Tank Info: 120 gallon SPS dominant tank, custom lighting, etc, etc

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01/07/2011, 08:38 PM	#2
needmore-reef Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 425	were you looking for 1/2" FPT to 1/2" barb?

01/07/2011, 09:03 PM	#4
RRaider Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 703	Nope, brass is not reef safe.

01/07/2011, 09:06 PM	#5
The CHop Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pleasant Hill, CA Posts: 34	+1 on pvc brass is bad news. Your LFS doesn't carry them? There super cheap online. After shipping though who would know add them to another order. If not your local plumbing supply place should carry them. Like a supply place that a contractor would use. Hate to say it as well and it sounds funny but if you have one of those horticulture shops they will have one. I buy all my barb fitting and top off floats through the horticulture shop in my town. The guy looks at ya kinda funny when you say its for a fish tank but ya get to laugh inside.

01/07/2011, 09:12 PM	#7
Reefahholic Moved On Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: League City, Texas Posts: 3,974	yeah, I figured that....wanted the PVC and they didn't have it so like an impatient kid, I bought the brass. Thanks guys!

01/07/2011, 09:16 PM	#8
pimp4cheddar Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Orlando, Fl. Posts: 762	Brass is no bueno...go plastic

01/07/2011, 09:24 PM	#9
rxx2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 1,092	Brass is made of copper and zinc, not good for a reef tank.

01/07/2011, 09:58 PM	#10
cakemanPA Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hummelstown, PA Posts: 2,353	Brass ====> bad

01/07/2011, 11:13 PM	#12
iwishtofish Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 4,949	I finally found my pvc barb fittings at Lowe's. They were in the next aisle over from the pvc couplings, elbows, etc...

01/08/2011, 02:14 AM	#13
Reefahholic Moved On Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: League City, Texas Posts: 3,974	ok....im going back this morning. can anybody recommend a good store to get PVC for plumbing? Do most of you guys get ALL your plumbing for standpipes and returns online? USplastics seemed expensive..

01/08/2011, 02:23 AM	#14
evsalty hmmmmmm Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NW Mesa, AZ Posts: 3,531	Lowes mostly or me since home Depot has shat for PVC stuff. Ace sometimes will carry things that Lowes and HD do not. For the barb fitting I usually get the nylon ones from Lowes. The only plumbing parts that I HAVE to order online are the actual bulkheads since none of those stares carry them. All 4 Lowes that I frequent all sell true union ballvalves and all the rest of the basic stuff.

01/08/2011, 09:44 PM	#15
Reefahholic Moved On Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: League City, Texas Posts: 3,974	Just got back from lowes, and got another 1/2 barb and my tube barely fits it. Sure seems different from the other, yet both were 1/2" I'll post a pic

01/08/2011, 10:16 PM	#17
cakemanPA Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hummelstown, PA Posts: 2,353	I would recommend putting the tubing in very hot water and then try that fitting again. I would want more tubing on the barb than that.

01/08/2011, 10:18 PM	#18
The CHop Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pleasant Hill, CA Posts: 34	yup hot water is the key. Also make sure to get a hose clap on it as well. It might just me being crazy but I put them on all my pvc fitting just tighten it down snug or you will break the fitting. Lets ya sleep better at night.

01/08/2011, 10:39 PM	#19
Reefahholic Moved On Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: League City, Texas Posts: 3,974	thanks chop and cakeman, ill try the hot water. yeah, never can be too safe in my book. like you said, makes you sleep better.

01/09/2011, 09:01 AM	#22
cakemanPA Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hummelstown, PA Posts: 2,353	If you got it all on -1/4", you are good to go. And don't use metal clamps if you are going to clamp at all. If I had to use the hot water method to get the tubing on the barb, I did not clamp. If the tubing went on without needing to be heated up, I double plastic clamped the tubing