Lowes Gray PVC

[CafeReef]

Where I do really like the fittings and colors available for PVC from BulkReefSupply, after adding up the cost, I cant find myself spending $100 on fittings and pipe that I can pick up from Lowes for cheaper. Lowes also has the added advantage of being local so if I need another 90 or decided to change my design part way through, I can swing by and pickup what I need.

Question is. Is this stuff reef safe for my aquarium? It is in their sprinkler section so I would assume there would be no issue so figured I would ask.

Union:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_23489-1814-PVC+08710++1200___?productId=3695990&pl=1&Ntt=3/4"+pvc

Pipe:
can't find a link, but Lowes has 3/4" gray PVC for $10 for 10 feet next to their sprinkler/irrigation along with all their gray fittings.

As a second question. Does anyone know of a clear primer and clear pvc cement that I could use? I really dont want to use purple primer if at all possible.

 

[71xlch]

Grey is fine. Tons of people use it. The electrical 90's offer a sweeping 90 vs the hard 90 in white.

 

[sirreal63]

If this is for the nano it won't make much difference, if it for a larger tank skip the sch80 pipe.

There is zero benefit to using sch80 pvc and several reasons not to use it. You lose inside pipe diameter which increases friction loss, something you don't want. The only way to get around this is to use larger pipe and that only increases the cost significantly.

 

[Fitz19d]

For us non handy people is the sch 80 the grey he's talking about or the typical white?

Building my 300 and clueless on piping options other than this time around I know I want a lot of unions to actually be able to unhook things.

 

[sirreal63]

Sch80 is grey, and labeled as sch80 on the fittings. Electrical conduit is also grey but not in the plumbing section.

 

[Fitz19d]

So for a large tank, especially with a basement sump, you would say use the white pvc instead? Or go get the electrical grey stuff?

 

[sirreal63]

Use the white, no reason not to.

 

[Fitz19d]

And I imagine its preferable to the flexible stuff due to friction loss etc, especially since I'm going to have like 16 feet of head? (Makes it a little more of a pita but I dont want to have to upsize an already expensive pump just because I chose inefficient piping.

 

[sirreal63]

The key is the I.D. which you want as large as possible for the return pump, the pump mfg. should have a head chart for the different piping sizes.

 

[moatdaddy]

i used clear tubing from lowes for return on my DC6000 Jabeo. It is one piece to my return, no 45 or 90s needed, plus if a giant worm grows in it i can see it!!. For my down flow i did us white pvc though. I need to control exactly where my water dumps into the sump, with the return its connect pump to flow nozzle.

 

[Fitz19d]

I had clear on my old 55g, I didn't like that because algae grew in it from enough ambient light.

 

[d2mini]

What Jack said.
No reason to run gray shedule 80 when white schedule 40 has pressure ratings well above anything we would ever need for our application.
Spend your plumbing money on good valves, but not the straight pipe and fittings.
Clear is ok but expect algae growth and the need to replace it. Not to mention the flow restriction at the barbed fittings.

 

[camaroguy]

I bought furniture grade PVC from Home Depot in Red and White. It was a little more expensive than the regular stuff, and I had to order it online and have it shipped. I think it was a bit cheaper than the BRS prices though.

It is true that highest priority is quality parts before colors though.

 

[Germanwerks]

Ive heard you have to be careful with using they grey pipe in the electrical section as some of this pipe has chemicals in it to help prevent bleaching and what not. It's not the same as sched 80. Sched 40 is more then enough. If a different color is what you seek you can always spray paint with krylon after.

 

[hcl2195]

Cafereef to answer your second question, yes there is a clear primer. It comes in a yellow and white can. The all purpose glue is opaque, and the can color is red and white. The brand is oatey,hope this helps.

 

[d2mini]

Cafereef to answer your second question, yes there is a clear primer. It comes in a yellow and white can. The all purpose glue is opaque, and the can color is red and white. The brand is oatey,hope this helps.

Is that Primer... or Cleaner?
I've use Cleaner in a white/yellow can but haven't seen clear primer locally.

 

[hcl2195]

Cleaner and primer do the same thing.

 

[CafeReef]

Cafereef to answer your second question, yes there is a clear primer. It comes in a yellow and white can. The all purpose glue is opaque, and the can color is red and white. The brand is oatey,hope this helps.

Thanks!

 

[d2mini]

Cleaner and primer do the same thing.

They are two different products.
The primer actually softens the pvc and helps create weld between the two pieces.
The cleaner is just that... a cleaner. Gets the dirt/grease off.

 

[davehead86]

They are two different products.
The primer actually softens the pvc and helps create weld between the two pieces.
The cleaner is just that... a cleaner. Gets the dirt/grease off.

I find that the primer gets the stuff off the pipe well. And makes it great for the cement. Ive never used the cleaner, any benefit? Seems like no but ...