ABS vs PVC and Silicone Question

WhyteLocust · #1 (**permalink**) 06-07-2008, 08:49 PM

Hey all,
Just picking up some equipment to hopefully begin construction in the next couple of weeks and I seem to have hit a snag.
I'm trying to find PVC piping for the supports for my false bottom and in all of my searching all I can find are 10 foot lengths. I have noticed though that the ABS pipes come in much more manageable (and portable) lengths.
Is ABS a suitable substitute for PVC for this purpose?

Also, I've noticed a couple of times that people specify to get GE Silicone I instead of GE Silicone II. What is the difference?

Waterkeeper · #2 (**permalink**) 06-07-2008, 09:35 PM

GE II has a mold inhibitor that can leach into your water.
It seems to be debated... Many claim to have used type II with success in 3-5 year old tanks. I used type II
ALWAYS buy type 1 if available (it was hard to find in black).

If you don't don't have any option but to buy 10ft lengths of PVC then you can just use the connectors. My homedepot sells the PVC in 3 ft lengths too but you have to search around to find them.

Green Ghost · #3 (**permalink**) 06-08-2008, 12:40 AM

As Waterkeeper said, that's the debate (the mold inhibitor). I use Type I also but the other side of the argument is that once it's cured it's completely safe.

I'd also recommend Type I if available over Type II

I'm no plasitics expert but wasn't there something in the news recently about ABS leaching out some kind of hormones or something? Was it ABS that they were using as fillings for teeth? I can't remember exactly right now. Maybe someone else knows for certain.....

Devil_Boy · #4 (**permalink**) 06-08-2008, 06:41 PM

ABS and PVC i remember awhile back like years ago i had the same question and searched the internet and found that abs does leach something into the water where as pvc is safe. Thats why abs is used for sewer; i think maybe its just a lower grade plastic or something, couldnt tell you the exact reason though.

Waterkeeper · #5 (**permalink**) 06-08-2008, 10:25 PM

There are studies saying that all plastics leach something into the water over time and they say it's best to stay with plastics marked with the code 7 other than polycarbonates...

check this link out Facts on Plastic
check this link out Greenpeace International PVC Alternatives Database

before you go getting all riled up about the toxicity of PVC and call your congressman, I will remind you that probably 75% of the homes of people who will read this post use PVC piping, and probably 100% of you have drank water from a PVC source...

WhyteLocust · #6 (**permalink**) 06-08-2008, 11:09 PM

Good call on the PVC connectors, it hadn't even dawned on me that that would be a good alternative. I went down today and picked up some 1 5/8" high x 2" diameter PVC connectors for the falsebottom supports. They're actually made for gas line but the guy at Home Depot figured it should still be safe for this application. (PVC is PVC afterall, right?)

So far I've called every major hardware store in town and none of them seem to carry GE Silicone I in black. The closest I came was clear, white, and almond sold at the same location. I'll try calling aquarium supply shops tomorrow but I have no doubt the prices will be jacked through the roof for "aquarium silicone".