PVC pipe reef safe?

[HawkeyeDJ]

I realize my fire fish has no 'safe hole' to run to. I have no appropriate-sized rock available, so I want to build one for him.

Is pvc pipe an acceptable material? I have some 1/2 inch schedule 40 that is just the right size. Any downsides to this plan?

 

[Joe31415]

You can do that, yes.
However, if you have a sand bed and big rocks they'll burrow under the rocks.

 

[Nick Steele]

Nope it’s safe!

 

[HawkeyeDJ]

You can do that, yes.
However, if you have a sand bed and big rocks they'll burrow under the rocks.

Thanks! I'm looking forward to this little project. I'll try to post pics when I'm done.

 

[mfinn]

PVC pipe does work for caves. I've seen people silicone sand and rock rubble to the outside of the pipe to make it look a little more like a natural cave.

 

[Peace River]

As many have already suggested, PVC can used in both freshwater and saltwater aquariums. In fact, PVC is commonly used in quarantine tanks to create a quick aquascape for the fish to hide and the PVC can also be easily cleaned for reuse. Good luck!

 

[HawkeyeDJ]

PVC pipe does work for caves. I've seen people silicone sand and rock rubble to the outside of the pipe to make it look a little more like a natural cave.

Yes, that was my plan as well.

 

[HawkeyeDJ]

OK, here is the finished project. It's the white rock in the front left. It has a 1/2 inch PVC pipe running through it. It's about 3.5 inches long.

Apologies for the photos. Still learning that part.

 

[Joe31415]

Apologies for the photos. Still learning that part.

If you can switch your lights to all white, that'll help. However, for me, the easiest thing to do is point a flashlight at whatever you're taking a picture of. That'll wash out all the other colors from your lights.

 

[nothing_fancy]

Maybe this goes without saying but I will say it anyway, be sure to clean any pvc you get from a hardware store thoroughly in case there are any oils or greases left on the pvc material.

 

[SlugSnorter]

I realize my fire fish has no 'safe hole' to run to. I have no appropriate-sized rock available, so I want to build one for him.

Is pvc pipe an acceptable material? I have some 1/2 inch schedule 40 that is just the right size. Any downsides to this plan?

yes, just make sure theres nothing on it, and make sure to rinse it before putting into tank

 

[SilvermistInc]

What do you think our sump plumbing is made of?

 

[nuxx Verified Sponsor]

Think about all your tanks plumbing

 

[HawkeyeDJ]

Think about all your tanks plumbing

Plumbing? What's "plumbing"? I have a 24 gallon AIO. No sump, no refugium, no skimmer. and no plumbing.

 

[nuxx Verified Sponsor]

Plumbing? What's "plumbing"? I have a 24 gallon AIO. No sump, no refugium, no skimmer. and no plumbing.

Meant in general

 

[HawkeyeDJ]

What do you think our sump plumbing is made of?

Is there any difference in ABS and PVC as far as aquarium applications?

 

[Stomatopods17]

I use PVC in pretty much everything aquarium related.

Its a cheap life hack for stacking rock easier, it makes great hidey spots and burrows for certain animals that are hard to construct them out of rock for, and its for the most part what we use for the plumbing because what else attaches to overflow bulkheads.

For burrows I often go the extra mile and use a nail filer/sandpaper on the inside, just to make it less smooth for little shrimp and crab feet to attach on easier, otherwise some of them can't climb or hang off it.

The only thing I've always wondered about PVC is the ink they use to write on it. Usually its bar coded and labeled directly on the pipe and for years I always sandpapered that off just out of paranoia of something leeching from it.

ABS AFAIK is basically the same thing just some different capabilities, I've always just called it 'black PVC' which is less noticable inside the aquarium, I don't think it matters in hindsight bar aesthetics for aquariums, just one is more expensive.

 

[Desert Sea]

Is there any difference in ABS and PVC as far as aquarium applications?

ABS is not as useful in aquarium use as PVC is. You’re not going to find pipe and fittings under 1 1/4” in ABS. For piping the average aquarium most plumbing will be 1 1/2” or less. The fractional pipe and fitting sizes in PVC are readily available.

 

[CoralB]

What everyone else said