Chiller Hose ?

[The Saltwater Kid]

My friend just bought a chiller and has a question...

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9599716#post9599716 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ron Sarquiz
Hi All,
I am getting ready to hook up a chillier and am interested in using black rubber hose, instead of the clear plastic hose. The black hose is more pliable and easier to work with. Since it is a more insulated hose though and not specifically made for saltwater use, (it is something like the hose that would be used in a car radiator to transfer the water from the engine to the radiator) I am worried that I might end up putting material in my tank that might be problematic if the rubber breaks down over time. Any thoughts?

Any body able to help with this?

 

[The Saltwater Kid]

bump

 

[bderos]

I don't think I would use that hose. The clear rubber hose is the way to go. Using the clear hose will also help you notice if there is a clog in the hose.

 

[383camaro]

I got some black hose from lfs. Its the same as the clear but light dosen't penatrate. my clear hose would clog with alage, black hose has has not cloged.

 

[The Saltwater Kid]

why wouldn't a black rubber hose work?

 

[Bri Guy]

It might work, but IMO its not worth saving a couple of bucks to even "possibly" taint the tank.

But food grade products, or products used in food processing usually are OK for tanks.

Just watch out for metal.

 

[The Saltwater Kid]

This is not made of metal. He ended up using it and so far, so good. This rubber hose looks like what you'd see in the engine of a vehicle...like radiator hose.

 

[Bri Guy]

Let us know the outcome, so we can learn by there mistakes!! lol

 

[DarG]

Some aquarium suppliers sell a black vinyl hose made safe for aquarium use. I would use that instead of risking anything by using a radiator hose ...

 

[The Saltwater Kid]

I'm not saying that this is a radiator hose...just that it looks like it. I was trying to give an accurate description is all .

 

[Henry Bowman]

You need to ensure that it is a food grade product. Vinyl and flex PVC are the most readily avaliable within the hobby and what I'd stick too. If it is rubber "like a radiator hose" I'd be really worried about what it'd put into the water?