Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

http://www.pipa.com.au/FAQs.html
http://www.pipa.com.au/docs/FAQPVC.html

Good links C1.

Very interesting info, I'm not really concerned about the PVC pipes any more...

My thoughts to EB!

That's why I liked the link also. If it said they were bad, I would have said 'bad links C1'

I know that atleast one of my suppliers dont have lead in their conduit, Australian Plastic Profiles aka Aussie Duct. They were the first ones I asked when we all started talkin bout lead(I think stevo was the first to mention it a while back), my other suppliers are Key Plastics, Vinidex and Plastic (Bend?)Fabrication ...I havent asked them yet only because I heard it was being phased out a while ago

Opening up this debate again, I just rang iplex pipes and straight from the horses mouth, the only pipes they make that DON"T have lead in them are pressure pipes. The blue layer is foam and definately contains lead and is not for potable water applications, which would be even more disturbing considering we drill out all those 6mm holes

Also, DWV pipe contains traces of lead.

I haven't rung any other pipe manufacturers yet, but this is the case with Iplex, so we won't be using any DWV or Stormwater pipe made by them or others until we find out others use no lead. Pressure pipe only in closed systems? I think we have no real options.

Does anyone have a photo of the foam sandwich pipe?? We don't get that over here in W.A.

rang another pipe place, vinidex, they also have lead in there pipe apart from pressure pipe...

I will take a pic of the sandwich pipe.

Tis all a bit of a worry. My rain tanks will be connected using DWV (foam sandwich stuff). I take some comfort from the fact that the water will not be sitting in the pipes all the time. Although I will be using a down and up configuration to get from the roof to the tanks, I will have a first flush diverter and will also have a tap to bleed off the water that would normally sit in the pipes between each rainfall. I guess I need to start thinking about something different to use as outer standpipes for the grow-beds and my venturi drain on the fish tank.

Too late! - mine is staying as is

die old man

:joking really:

For a possible safe alternative and "special" pricing ...... go here

http://backyardaquaponics.com/forum/vie ... 7757#77757

OK, my 20 cents?

we can go back and forth on this one till the cows come home.

Solution? Buy a lead test kit and test your water. problem solved

PS monya, as much trouble as thinking about this is i still prefer to know, so thanks for bringing it up.

This is electrical cable trunking system that has been applied to hydroponics as an after thought.

http://www.app.net.au/products/hydro.aspx

Good stuff!

I wonder how safe it is? Is it better or worse than stormwater pipe, or better or worse than normal PVC pulmbing pipe?

Or, as an earthy alternative question, do we really know what is in our garden soil, ( so often advertised as a "natural alternative! Nothing better than home grown backyard veggetables...) BUT good ol garden soil is not made to any Australian Standard, British, American or DIN standard? What is in my garden soil? how does it stack up against various PVC tubs and tubes?

OMG, is it still OK for me to compost newspapers? How much crap is in the paper, ink and glue?

Do we really know what is in them fish pellets? If we feed our fish duckweed, cockroaches, maggots etc. etc. do we really know what chemicals they carry?

IMHO it is very hard to keep the bad chemicals out no matter what system you choose.