Sch80

[Devi]

Looking at red PVC sch 80 and grey fittings. My LFS says this is not safe and over time my fish and coral will die. I am told to buy normal sch40 water grade PVC and paint them. Is this true? Bulk reef supply sells it, and some of the most beautiful sump set ups use it. I just find this hard to believe.

 

[KrisReef]

I've never heard this before, but that doesn't make it not true? It does seem strange because if 80 was "toxic" I think that would be more commonly publicized.

I like 80 with large pumps because it never cracks and leaks like 40 sometimes does. It's too thick to fail?

But lets see what the pro-plumbers say, ?

 

[Danj]

This strikes me as total bologna. The only difference between schedule 80 vs 40 is the thicker wall size - and yes, some coloring pigments, which some sch40 has as well. I know that the plural of anecdote is not evidence, but you'll probably find that the bulk of reefers on this forum all run sch80 somewhere, somehow - myself included - some of us for decades, and have had thriving tanks. I say go for it!

edit: I built a word sandwich, and it was delicious

 

[don_chuwish]

Looking at red PVC sch 80 and grey fittings. My LFS says this is not safe and over time my fish and coral will die.

Total BS. Use the sch80 if you like the look and don't mind the cost. I wish I hadn't bothered - more expensive and harder to find in a hurry than sch40. Especially the 'odd' bits. With a few fittings I just ended up getting sch40 white and spray painting it with Krylon gray primer.

 

[ca1ore]

Yah, PVC is PVC. I've never used Sch80 piping, but plenty of fittings over long periods of time.

 

[Even Further]

The LFS is probably referring to the furniture grade colored PVC.

Both Schedule 40 and 80 fittings/pipe are available NSF certified, for potable water plumbing.

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

I was told that hey put a UV protector on the Sch 80 fittings.

 

[dbl]

Have to agree this sounds a little far fetched. Use Sch 80 if you like, but it's definitely not necessary. As said, the difference is in the wall thickness and designed for higher pressures. And as @don_chuwish said, it's harder to find in a pinch. Agree is looks cool though, but a can of spray paint is only a couple of bucks.

 

[Bj’s Reef]

I have had sch 80 on my tank for years. I have never had a problem with it. The difference as mentioned above is wall thickness. You will not have any problems with it. Sch 80 is used in drinking water facilities everywhere. If it was a danger it wouldn’t be used.

 

[Johniejumbo]

I can tell you that your standard sch 80 pipe you get has no UV protective coating. It’s just as safe as sch 40. It also has the same outside diameter so sch 40 fittings can be used in a pinch. Really I see no need for sch 80 other than looks though. We don’t run near enough psi to matter which one we use.

 

[cracker]

Iv'e always used the white schedule 40 & never had A prob. I did quit using the purple cleaner though it was too much.

 

[steveb]

If you like they gray look you can get gray schedule 40 from us plastics.

The fittings are Spears, the pipe is George Fischer/Harvel.

 

[jschultzbass]

@Bulk Reef Supply have you heard of this at all?