Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

We use 25mm poly pipe on our shed roof about 50 m of it to heat water for our system and it works pretty well on a good sunny winters day here in melbourne not so good if overcast . Should work really well in sunny WA.

Pondi, I think the reason that poly pipe is not being used is that it could leach contaminants that could be harmful to the fish, the bacteria and/or the plants.
This would be a greater problem if the pipe (and water) were heated

This is why alternatives are being suggested/debated

les did we discus using blue line ploly? thats rated for drinking water, isn't it?

You could be right there...think that may be what Monya used now you mentioned it...I thought Pondi was referring to that other stuff

We have had no problems with fish or plant health.

I'd be more concerned about possible long term human health issues Pondi, Remember AP is a closed system. Any leaching into the system will end up in fish or plants and ultimatelly your family.

Blue line is quite thick Steve and would not work very well. Also, I doubt it is rated for hot water.

hear ya on the thinkness vb, but regarding the hot rating, don't forget if its a pass through system then its might not get that hot with enough flow.

Or with a suitable heat exchanger on the other end??? I think it is feasible.

My intention is to use a heat exchanger and run a pool solar heater setup (lots and lots of thinner black poly tubing). Mum and Dad have the pool stuff on their roof and it is not used - so I will flog it. It will need some repairs, but hopefully isn't too bad. The issue now is making an exchanger that is big enough but does not break the bank - the subject of many conversations here in the past.

I used polyvinly food grade beverage tube painted black. Worked a treat while the paint stuck LOL. From the horses mouth: Blue line poly is fine until you heat it, then no guarantees of food gradeness.

Are any Queensland members plumbers or have good plumbing contacts? I want to get myself some fairly cheap copper pipe and a heap of it. At least 50 metres. Second hand okay - new if need be, but would have to be a good price.

VB, is that for the heat exchanger?

i assume a Doug Basberg style arrangemnt?

Yep - I will have to paint it because of the copper. Other option is stainless, which I will inquire about, but is bound to be too expensive.

hey is tin bad?