Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I am working on building an NFT system and was wondering if there are any distinct disadvantages by using drain pipes as opposed to pvc pipes. I like drain pipes because they are cheaper and I do believe they could support the water. Thoughts?

no idea.

drain pipes are made out of pvc.

unless you guys over there have a building material named drain :shrug:

Yavimaya,

I believe Mattattack is referring to using PVC "DWV/Drain, Waste, Vent" (foam core) piping versus PVC "pressure" (solid core) piping. While the solid core PVC is stronger, as noted, it is more expensive. I suspect there is no need for the solid core PVC piping in most aquaponics applications as typically low water pressure is involved. It is common to see a more prominent shorter collar on PVC DWV fittings as in the 1st pic below and DWV fittings, which are designed for gravity flow, often seem to have more gradual bends.

PVC DWV (Drain, Waste, Vent) Fitting:


PVC Pressure Fitting:


Lots of examples of each at your better stocked piping suppliers, for example:

http://www.pvcfittingsonline.com/fittings/schedule-40-pvc.html
http://www.pvcfittingsonline.com/fittings/dwv.html

So, if the PVC DWV pipes are well supported then they might be just fine. If not, they are more likely to sag than PVC pressure pipes.

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Sam

if he does mean pressure and non pressure then dwv is standard, but if you go with round pipe and not rectangle, then you need more support as the water level will have to be higher.

1 support per 800cm or so seemed to keep them level for me, less and they can sag.

Ok, thanks for the response. I am not the one who purchased them so I am not sure the exact type of pipe. They certainly are not as sturdy as PVC, but you seem to think they should be find as long as there is Anouilh support so they do not sag. Is this right?

That should be 800mm, right? So 0.8 meters rather than 8 meters?

Mattattack, I don't think you've mentioned what size and type of "drain" pipe, you've got. But perhaps you can post a pic? Or there might be some labeling on the drain pipe? Charlotte Pipe is a pretty good reference for piping things... Here is their Horizontal Support Spacing table for different types of plastic pipe. There is a ton of good piping technical information on their site:


There is obviously a lot of fine tuning involved with Aquaponics. One approach is to just try something you think is reasonable and be prepared to tweak, tweak, tweak, until you get it right...

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Sam

I haven't been able to get a pic, but will be working on drilling holes into the top of the pipe today. I'll post a pic after I finish working on it for today. Also, how far apart should I pace the plants? I am thinking about 10 inches apart.

i dont know!

what is it made of?? bamboo? metal?

you say they arent pvc.

but yes, put enough supports so they dont sag.

Nosli, yea sorry that was a big stuff up. 0.8m

I finally got the name, Three Wall Solid Drain Pipes. They're actually pretty sturdy for a fraction of the price of the pvc. I'll have a picture up in an hour or so.

?

so they are metal?

if they are white plastic they are still pvc..... unless you guys get something different.

in which case, again, what are they made of????


either way, i wouldnt stress too much, as long as they are pvc (plastic) and not galv. iron or something harmful to the fish then you are fine to use it, just support it so it doesnt sag.


also, when you drill holes into them, drill your pilot hole, THEN TURN THE DRILL TO REVERSE - holesaws will tear up the piping otherwise.

holes 20-30cm apart is basically ideal.

Ok then. I'm pretty new so I was mistaken. Here's the link to the product if it matters, but I'm going to use it.

http://m.homedepot.com/p/4-in-x-10-ft-T ... /100135310

Not to change the subject, but I'll attach a photo of one of the three stands I will use to support the pipes. The pipes are 10 ft long.

Thanks for the help with the pipes! Makes me more confident in what I got.

Update: I was having trouble adding the photos, so here is a link if you want to check it out:

http://hydroponicsforthefuture.blogspot ... today.html

that piping will work just fine.