ABS Plumbing??

[luke]

In the past when I plumb things on my tank, I have always used PVC or food grade vinyl. But I was at home depot today and found the part I needed in ABS plastic. Has anyone used or heard of anyone using ABS as plumbing material??? Will it leach anything into the water??
Thanks
Luke

 

[broomer5]

Luke,
I've always used PVC too. ABS is manufactured from some nasty stuff, but so is PVC for that matter.
Don't know right off hand enough about either PVC or ABS to answer.
Good question - and well worth exploring.
Here's a few links that may help.
<a href="http://www.greenpeaceusa.org/media/factsheets/plastic101text.htm" target="_blank">http://www.greenpeaceusa.org/media/factsheets/plastic101text.htm</a>
<a href="http://www.buildinggreen.com/features/pvc/pvc.html" target="_blank">http://www.buildinggreen.com/features/pvc/pvc.html</a>
<a href="http://www.nsf.org/newsletters/plumbing01-1/page2.html" target="_blank">http://www.nsf.org/newsletters/plumbing01-1/page2.html</a>
Later - Broomer

 

[fishoutofwater]

when i set up my store i used all pvc for the saltwater system. overflows and returns. this was up and running for over 5 years. no problems. still use pvc to this day.

 

[luke]

Like I said I have always used PVC (with zero problems). But the part I need uses a coarse thread count and PVC comes in a fairly fine thread (comparitivly speaking). The ABS part fits, but will it cause me problems?
Broomer5 - I read the links. Thanks for the info. Can;t say it makes me feel good about either plastic But it did seem to say that PVC has the most additives (which they mentioned could leach). They said ABS requires antioxidants. I still don't know if I trust it (ABS). I think I am going to the big plumbing store in town to see if they have the part in PVC.
Luke