Clear PVC?

75gal · 03/07/2015, 09:13 AM

I just had a thought that I would put clear PVC in for my plumbing. I know it's more money certainly, but I was wondering if there would be any fundamental issues with using it? I know it's food grade tubing so it should be safe right? Any advice would be great, this could be really cool!

HM3105 · 03/07/2015, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 75gal

I just had a thought that I would put clear PVC in for my plumbing. I know it's more money certainly, but I was wondering if there would be any fundamental issues with using it? I know it's food grade tubing so it should be safe right? Any advice would be great, this could be really cool!

I would be concerned about algae growing in there and clogging it up in addition to the bacterial coat.

ryeguyy84 · 03/07/2015, 09:33 AM

If there's any light around it won't be clear for long. You might get algae inside where it's hard to clean. On a positive note, you would see anything stuck in there

Stevenliu9 · 03/07/2015, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryeguyy84

If there's any light around it won't be clear for long. You might get algae inside where it's hard to clean. On a positive note, you would see anything stuck in there

First thing I thought too, clear plumbing with light=algae build up with no access for the clean up crew. I had a clear return tubing once and the algae build up got so bad it actually affected my return flow, pretty much like a clogged artery.

75gal · 03/07/2015, 11:12 AM

Ahhh didn't think about that. did you have a refugium light or something?

ryeguyy84 · 03/08/2015, 10:17 AM

My skimmer is clear and with my fuge light it turns purple in a few months.

ca1ore · 03/08/2015, 12:44 PM

I used to use clear PVC (though it isn't really clear). It didn't clog faster, necessarily, it just got a coating of algae, became completely opaque, thus making the incremental cost pointless.

03/07/2015, 09:13 AM	#1
75gal Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Connecticut Posts: 141	Clear PVC? I just had a thought that I would put clear PVC in for my plumbing. I know it's more money certainly, but I was wondering if there would be any fundamental issues with using it? I know it's food grade tubing so it should be safe right? Any advice would be great, this could be really cool!

03/07/2015, 09:33 AM	#3
ryeguyy84 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,753	If there's any light around it won't be clear for long. You might get algae inside where it's hard to clean. On a positive note, you would see anything stuck in there __________________ Current tank: 90G mixed reef. Current Tank Info: 90 gallon

03/08/2015, 10:17 AM	#6
ryeguyy84 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,753	My skimmer is clear and with my fuge light it turns purple in a few months. __________________ Current tank: 90G mixed reef. Current Tank Info: 90 gallon

03/08/2015, 12:44 PM	#7
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	I used to use clear PVC (though it isn't really clear). It didn't clog faster, necessarily, it just got a coating of algae, became completely opaque, thus making the incremental cost pointless. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

03/07/2015, 11:12 AM	#5
75gal Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Connecticut Posts: 141	Ahhh didn't think about that. did you have a refugium light or something?