are these materials safe to use for water changes ?

[stevediaz1]

hello I'm trying to create a system with a dual outlet y valve for my water changes to make it easier and i want to know if the materials I'm using are safe for my aquarium I'm not sure wether the materials I'm using are metal,brass & also the store had a zinc y valve but i didn't purchase it still i would like to know wether its safe to use so will some one tell me if its safe to use or not i tried to find plastic because its the safest i think but i wasn't available at home depot

 

[C.Eymann]

no, they will be utterly destroyed by the saltwater in a short period and possibly leach undesirable compounds into the water while they corrode

 

[pyithar]

i wouldn't use the metals. i think you could get the pvc y valves at the home depot. i saw them not too long ago at the home depot website.

 

[Ron Reefman]

If the valve is just being used when you are pumping water and they are dry when you aren't doing a water change, you'll be OK. The speed at which harmful metals leach or corrode out of a single fixture like that is very slow.

I am curious, what is the purpose of the 'Y' outlet? You're sending salt water to two places at once?

 

[kmbyrnes]

A simple PVC manifold will do the job and pose no risk to your system.

 

[MondoBongo]

i have an all plastic version of those Y fittings that i got from Lowe's. works quite well for tank stuff, and no worry about metals leeching. if you stop by Lowes/HD the plastic ones should be in the same section as the metal ones, near the houses and other lawn/garden stuff. they might be a little harder to find in winter depending on where you live, but there is always amazon.

this is more or less what i got:

http://www.amazon.com/LASCO-15-4041...qid=1450364140&sr=8-1&keywords=plastic+hose+y

 

[Sk8r]

brass is composed of copper, which is a poison. Any white metal will corrode rapidly. Plastic or polystyrene is your best route. Salt water will rapidly dissolve any metal (gold is immune, but...) Stainless and aluminum are somewhat protected, but even so, over time, no.

 

[PAXpress]

brass is composed of copper, which is a poison. Any white metal will corrode rapidly. Plastic or polystyrene is your best route. Salt water will rapidly dissolve any metal (gold is immune, but...) Stainless and aluminum are somewhat protected, but even so, over time, no.

This has actually forced me to rethink the Y valve I use on the connection between my RO/DI and my waterline. Was using brass...started up a return and ordered a plastic one!

 

[stevediaz1]

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

 

[stevediaz1]

here is the glue i intend to use for the pic is it safe if i use it with my aquarium

 

[CStrickland]

I'd use the cement, just make sure it is cured first (not stinky anymore). From your description I wouldn't worry too much about the valve either. As long as you rinse the salt off it after you're done it sounds like a tiny amount of exposure. But I'm not as careful as lots of people, you may hear different opinions.

This has actually forced me to rethink the Y valve I use on the connection between my RO/DI and my waterline. Was using brass...started up a return and ordered a plastic one!

Do you mean where the water comes in to the rodi? That can be anything you have around, it gets filtered.