are these materials safe to use for water changes ?

redfishbluefish · Dec 17, 2015

SeahorseKeeper said:
I only see one thread.

Someone has already merged the two together.

stevediaz1 · Dec 17, 2015

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
I can't tell how you intend to use that, but if it is all water leaving the tank, that brass is OK. If any water enters the tank through it, it is not OK.

I sorry i didn't explain myself correctly that the device I made was not permanently plumbed into the aquarium having a all in one tank won't allow me to do any plumbing and I don't have any intentions if doing so but I did want to make my water changes easier as do we all and I made this' device I only use it when I do water changes its independent from my tank i take the device i place a u shape pvc pipe in the tank with a pre determined height for extracting an exact amount of water i choose then i close one valve on the device shown prior and i open the other valve allowing me to pump new fresh saltwater with the same hose never having to take it out of the tank therefore avoiding water spills over my carpet when I'm done I'm careful not to drop any water on the floor but i have a question is this glue safe to use with the pvc pipe ill be using to glue together the part of the pic will be submerged in the tank while be extracting the water then ill be removing until the next water change

jadwv2210 · Dec 18, 2015

No idea about the PVC cement pictured, but using that valve to pump water back into your tank is not a good idea. It contains brass and copper which are toxic to all invertebrates (corals, snails, etc.). Not to mention the saltwater will probably corrode these materials quickly. Even for periodic use it is not a good idea. Hope this helps.

jeepsehawk · Dec 18, 2015

You can find that split valve in pvc/plastic anywhere. Since you are not using full time but only for water changes it is ok. Now if you are using that as a permanent part to tank it not ok, salt oxidizes metal an leaks chemicals to your tank. I would not use it regardless since pvc is cheaper and is available in your local walmart store.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 18, 2015

The glue should be fine once dried. Just do not have the new salt water contact any metals on its way to the tank. The risks may be low for a quick pass, but why do it?

stevediaz1 · Dec 18, 2015

Thank you everybody for all your help I appreciate it I would not have been in this hobby if it wasn't for all the help I get from all the loyal hobbyists thanks a million every body

trahelyk · Dec 21, 2015

Just tagging along on this thread. I have a saltwater mixing station in my garage, and I would like to pump new saltwater from there to the tank in the living room for water changes. My thought is to purchase an RV-style drinking-water-safe hose for this purpose, cut the brass connectors off, and replace them with plastic connectors. I'm pretty sure the hardware store sells plastic garden-hose-mending kits that would work for this. Alternatively, I could rig something up with vinyl tubing, but I think that would be more expensive. Thoughts? Would either way be reef safe? Has anyone else done this?

mfinn · Dec 21, 2015

I've used rv drinking water safe hoses for general water transfer, and I have looked around for hoses to use that were flexible and easy to store, but really haven't found anything except for the hose you get with the python water change systems.
It's not terribly expensive, very flexible and comes with plastic fittings.

trahelyk · Dec 21, 2015

I would love to use the python hose, since I already have one, but it isn't long enough.

Wait... they make extensions!

timkenagy · Jan 5, 2016

stevediaz1 said:
I sorry i didn't explain myself correctly that the device I made was not permanently plumbed into the aquarium having a all in one tank won't allow me to do any plumbing and I don't have any intentions if doing so but I did want to make my water changes easier as do we all and I made this' device I only use it when I do water changes its independent from my tank i take the device i place a u shape pvc pipe in the tank with a pre determined height for extracting an exact amount of water i choose then i close one valve on the device shown prior and i open the other valve allowing me to pump new fresh saltwater with the same hose never having to take it out of the tank therefore avoiding water spills over my carpet when I'm done I'm careful not to drop any water on the floor but i have a question is this glue safe to use with the pvc pipe ill be using to glue together the part of the pic will be submerged in the tank while be extracting the water then ill be removing until the next water change

If I'm understanding right the answer is no don't use it.. I say this because you're using it to put new saltwater into your tank and it cannot come in contact with brass. The old water leaving the tank is fine because you wouldn't care if it's contaminated by the metal. Hope that helps?

Ps.. Please use periods as I ran out of breath reading your last post