Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Is that pipe C900 DR 18 or IPS Pressure Class 160 by any chance?
If it is you may want to rethink the PVC glue bit as it doesn't work reliably
with those types of pipe. May need to use an Epoxy or just silicone.
Then again I may be full of it if its a different type of pipe. But that
stuff sure looks like Blue-Brute C900.

Amazing pipe! I would love to have local access to pipe that big, other than the black drain pipe (food grade issues). Would there be any advantage to cutting less out of the pipe to hold more gravel? Or, are you making two grow beds out of each pipe? Are you leaving any bridges along the pipe to support the pipe and prevent spreading apart?

Dan you probably do have access to that kind of pipe in your area. You would need to find a utility supply house not a plumbing supply house to find those materials. Most of them would be special order unless you are in the immediate Houston area. All of it would cost a pretty penny.

Some of the locations you might look for
Hughes Supply
HD Supply
Fergesons Supply (they do plumbing also)
ACT Supply

You would be looking for C900 (up to 30" diameter), SDR 35 or 26 sewer pipe up to 24" I believe, F679 pvc sewer pipe up to 36", plus several other types that go up to 18"-24" Common manufacturers are JM Pipe and North American Pipe there are several others but those two are the big players.

If you really want to go big find a FRP(fiberglass reinforced pipe) manufacturer that stuff goes up to 120" diameter in regular production runs.

If the pipe he has is C900 I doubt he would need any type of bracing across the pipe I have seen fully loaded trailer type dump trucks run over similar sized pipe with very little effect the stuff is incredibly stout.

SM, this thread is like reading and viewing AP porn. Love the big projects!

Yep, cutting them right down the middle. 12m of growbed out of one 6m pipe. Yes, they are expensive. Out local price R2600 ($329, AUS$356) per 6m pipe.

The pipe is incredibly strong but to prevent turning, we are laying them side by side and then bolting them together, giving like a w-shape. The beds would thus be 1m wide (500mm+500mm) and 6M long. I am going flood and drain and have now got to work out how I'm going to drain these suckers.

Cheers

The invoice says, "UPVC WE 0500 06 IDE SUPRADRAIN CABLE-GRADE"

Thanks badfish! Are drain pipes safe for food?

synaptoman, if those pipe are 20 foot / 6 meter pipe then that would work out to about $1USD/gallon of grow bed. That is not to bad compared to what I paid for what I did! I am going to check this out more! Great project!

Some say they are others say their not
When in doubt coat or cover with something you consider safe.

But the large diameter C900 and IPS pressure class pipes are NSF61 for potable water.

Some of the Black Drainage pipes are HDPE and although they are not listed as NSF61 it isnt because they couldn't be its just because the manufacturer did not intend them for that use.

I looked at the Petzetakis online literature and it appears to be virtually the same material. So thats some good pipe ............but you already knew that

Quick pic of my trusty assistant, Denzel cutting pipe 2 of 15. Not as straight as the boss's, I might add, but anyway, good enough.

Having any problems with the blade melting into the pipe after several cuts?

Gotta be tough cutting.

No, not really. It's a very fine diamond tip blade and we are taking it very easy. It's tough cutting though and it took about 3 hours to measure accurately and cut the one pipe on both sides. I want them cut really accurately because we have to bolt them together side by side. 13 to go, wish us luck but I'm sure it'll be worth it. These growbeds are going to be awesome.

Looks like its pretty hard going
For a repetitive job like that it might be worth whipping up a simple cutting jig.
A few concrete blocks stacked either end of the pipe with some long timbers lashed to them.
Set the timbers apart by the width of the footplate of the saw assuming the blade is central. Then its just a case of running the saw along the pipe between the timber guide rails.
You may need a few chocks, sandbags or something similar to prevent the pipe from turning or rolling sideways

According to his .sig the only tool they have is a hammer, and apparently the saw in the picture.

Thats one ELL of a big blue nail