Went shopping today. Is ABS pipe safe to use?

[Chris McMahon]

I went shopping today and started chopping up the IBC's. It's been a long time in the making so it's pretty exciting. Anyway the store didn't have any 4" PVC to make a siphon out of so I purchased a 10' length of ABS. Is it safe to use ABS in an aquaponics system? It may hit 112 degrees in the summer if that makes any difference.
I also ended up having to order quite a few parts off the internet as they just don't have them here. Bulkhead fittings, the correct pvc end caps.

[TCLynx]

I've never heard that it isn't safe but I've also never looked into it.

[David Waite]

ABS, CPVC, PVC, SDR35, All safe for potable water. You are safe with these.

[Gary Searle]

ABS has less UV resistence, than the PVC, not to mention it's a bear to keep straight.

[Chris McMahon]

I am going to build the siphon out of the ABS pipe then. I am doing the doing the foundation for the grow beds tomorrow.

[Rob Torcellini]

Not all ABS or PVC are the same. It all depends on the hardening agent that is used during the manufacturing process. Typically, most PVC piping that is used for drainage or sewer lines has some lead in it whereas potable water grade they use chlorine. The ASTM number that's printed on the side of the pipe will guide you to how safe the pipe is. General rule of thumb is that PVC is worse than ABS. IF you could find or afford HDPE, that's the way to go.

[TCLynx]

Rob, can you point us to where to look up what the different ASTM numbers mean?

[Rob Torcellini]

It can be tricky to find good details about it....I think it's one of those things the "man" doesn't want you to know about.  ;-)

 

The astm site is www.astm.org   You can clock on "search standards" and type in the number and it should come up with exactaly how that product should be manufactured.

 

[TCLynx]

Thanks Rob

[Chris McMahon]

I looked at the pipe and F628 looks like the type of ABS.

[Rob Torcellini]

My pleasure.  Plastics are a love/hate product and has incorrect info fueled by a lot of people with misinformation about their content.  The trick is to figure out all the technical jibberish about what's in the specs!  It's almost easier to read through the instructions on my tax forms.  :-P