What is wrong with vinyl tubing?

[Arwen Vaughan]

I am new and was thinking of using a small length of vinyl tubing (because it is flexible) to connect my pump to the main PVC plumbing for my AP system. What is the deal with vinyl...is it really bad to use in these systems? What about the vinyl tube used for the aeration stones? Does this stuff leach carcinogens or other toxins at "room temperatures"? Should I replace it with somethings else...if so, then what?  

[Roger]

I use vinyl tubing in my system and have had no problem.  I've also used vinyl tubing in my hydro systems for years without problems.

[Alex Veidel]

I also used a small length of vinyl, I'm not sure it makes a difference. The only downside I can think of is that it is transparent, so if you have it in the light it can promote algae growth. I'm not sure about chemical leaching or anything like that.

[Arwen Vaughan]

Ok, I am feeling better about it now. If you veterans of aquaponics don't know of any problems with vinyl, then I don't think I need to worry. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't an obvious rookie mistake. Thanks!!

[Vlad Jovanovic]

Hi Arwen. You can also use the search field at the top right corner to look up topics that interest you. (Like vinyl and its potential problems). Sometimes answering the same questions about the same topics over and over gets tedious or time consuming for folks...

http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/photo/my-new-garden?comment...

http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/quick-connect-...

http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/vinyl-billboar...

http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/diy-heater-bui...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phthalate

There is much more on this site on the topic of vinyl than just the above threads. But basically, it's not the vinyl, but rather the plasticizers that make vinyl soft and pliable that is the problem. The molecular bond between the vinyl and its plasticizer is a weak one, (since no covalency exists between the two) so the plasticizer does leach out over time.

Studies do indicate many of the most common vinyl plasticizers are carcinogenic and can disrupt the normal functioning of the endocrine system. Many of those plasticizers have been banned or phased out already in Europe and some other parts of the world.

That's it in a nut shell. And that's why many folks choose to avoid vinyl that is soft or pliable. 

Polyethylene is a good quality/low cost replacement for vinyl, should you wish to avoid it.

Using vinyl in your system isn't one of those things that will kill your fish in a heartbeat or anything...I doubt you would notice any problems with your system or anything...

It might be likened to say...smoking cigarettes. Many people use cigarettes for years and years with no problems, until one day....you arteries are a bit harder (which is a type of problem that is hard to notice yourself), or you have trouble breathing when it's cold outside (which is a type of problem that is easy to notice yourself)...etc...

[Arwen Vaughan]

Thanks Vlad!!

Sorry for the redundancy. I'll be more diligent with my searches from now on. I searched for vinyl and found mostly pond liner discussions...or conflicting info on tubing....but didn't search thoroughly enough I guess. I am learning the terms and acronyms to search on too. Thanks for the wonderful summary though. I will go ahead and replace the small length with polyethylene. It sounds like the best thing to do. Cheers!

[Alex Veidel]

Although, I will say Vlad, that it is good practice for the lesser experienced, un-veterans like me to get some practice in answering questions :) It's helped me develop the best way to teach and explain principles and concepts. Plus I get to test my knowledge against the rest of the aquapons and see if what I'm learning is viable.

Vlad Jovanovic said:

Hi Arwen. You can also use the search field at the top right corner to look up topics that interest you. (Like vinyl and its potential problems). Sometimes answering the same questions about the same topics over and over gets tedious or time consuming for folks...

http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/photo/my-new-garden?comment...

http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/quick-connect-...

http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/vinyl-billboar...

http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/diy-heater-bui...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phthalate

There is much more on this site on the topic of vinyl than just the above threads. But basically, it's not the vinyl, but rather the plasticizers that make vinyl soft and pliable that is the problem. The molecular bond between the vinyl and its plasticizer is a weak one, (since no covalency exists between the two) so the plasticizer does leach out over time.

Studies do indicate many of the most common vinyl plasticizers are carcinogenic and can disrupt the normal functioning of the endocrine system. Many of those plasticizers have been banned or phased out already in Europe and some other parts of the world.

That's it in a nut shell. And that's why many folks choose to avoid vinyl that is soft or pliable. 

Polyethylene is a good quality/low cost replacement for vinyl, should you wish to avoid it.

Using vinyl in your system isn't one of those things that will kill your fish in a heartbeat or anything...I doubt you would notice any problems with your system or anything...

It might be likened to say...smoking cigarettes. Many people use cigarettes for years and years with no problems, until one day....you arteries are a bit harder (which is a type of problem that is hard to notice yourself), or you have trouble breathing when it's cold outside (which is a type of problem that is easy to notice yourself)...etc...

[Adam Vicknair]

Just trust the tried and true methods, and use pvc. Have you ever tasted water that has sat in a garden hose? That is why I wouldn't use it. Just get a threaded pvc union so you can easily disconnect the pump for cleaning. Also I have never heard of flexible vinyl tubing used extensively for potable water applications. Some industrial applications of this stuff are in potable water systems I admit, but heres a great example. Have you ever tasted water from a fridge tap that didn't taste like plastic? No thats because they use vinyl as supply lines.

[Larry Glaser]

as a new comer to this forum are you updating all new info and new technique  to each post ? Is it possible that re-asking a question may cause new info to be added to this forum? or are all answers to questions definitive? Please let me apologize up front if I should in the future ask a question that you deem not worth folks time.  I'm sure I will!

Vlad Jovanovic said:

Hi Arwen. You can also use the search field at the top right corner to look up topics that interest you. (Like vinyl and its potential problems). Sometimes answering the same questions about the same topics over and over gets tedious or time consuming for folks...

http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/photo/my-new-garden?comment...

http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/quick-connect-...

http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/vinyl-billboar...

http://community.theaquaponicsource.com/forum/topics/diy-heater-bui...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phthalate

There is much more on this site on the topic of vinyl than just the above threads. But basically, it's not the vinyl, but rather the plasticizers that make vinyl soft and pliable that is the problem. The molecular bond between the vinyl and its plasticizer is a weak one, (since no covalency exists between the two) so the plasticizer does leach out over time.

Studies do indicate many of the most common vinyl plasticizers are carcinogenic and can disrupt the normal functioning of the endocrine system. Many of those plasticizers have been banned or phased out already in Europe and some other parts of the world.

That's it in a nut shell. And that's why many folks choose to avoid vinyl that is soft or pliable. 

Polyethylene is a good quality/low cost replacement for vinyl, should you wish to avoid it.

Using vinyl in your system isn't one of those things that will kill your fish in a heartbeat or anything...I doubt you would notice any problems with your system or anything...

It might be likened to say...smoking cigarettes. Many people use cigarettes for years and years with no problems, until one day....you arteries are a bit harder (which is a type of problem that is hard to notice yourself), or you have trouble breathing when it's cold outside (which is a type of problem that is easy to notice yourself)...etc...

[Bob Campbell]

I just came across this while researching bladder tanks at http://www.flotecpump.com/residentialpage_resource_faq_tanks.aspx

Q. Can I use a bladder style pre-charged tank to hold the water that my Reverse Osmosis filter system puts out?
A. No. RO tanks have bladders made of butyl rubber. Ours are a type of vinyl. RO water is so very pure that it wants to pull contaminants into it. If stored in the vinyl bladder of a pre-charged tank, the “elastomers” in the bladder will be pulled out of the bladder into the water leaving the bladder very brittle. What it pulls into the water can also be considered to be toxic.