Vinyl Tubing Not Aquarium Safe?

[Guppy Guy]

I just went out and bought a bunch of vinyl tubing for my gumball aquarium project(see signature) and got back home and realized that the tubing is “not for use with aquariums”.

It says it is safe for potable water, so why isn’t it aquarium safe? Can I still use it? Thanks

[Guppysnail]

Is it the thick. I’ve used thick vinyl tubing for siphon hoses without issue. I think @Mmiller2001 was going to replace canister hoses with it. I’m not certain if they did. 

[Mmiller2001]

When I  went out to buy it, it was either too thick or too flimsy and just ended up ordering eheim tubing. 

Does it have NSF anywhere on what you have?

[nabokovfan87]

On 7/14/2022 at 6:31 PM, Mmiller2001 said:

Does it have NSF anywhere on what you have?

This is what I would go by as well.

You don't know what's actually in the vinyl, could be additives or something.  If it's 100% vinyl it might work, but you also might just have issues using it compared to other stuff.

[Guppy Guy]

On 7/14/2022 at 8:55 PM, Guppysnail said:

Is it the thick

I have 2 sizes I am using. The Larger intake is 3/4” OD and 5/8” ID. The smaller return is 1/4” OD and 0.170” ID. Note that the intake (large one) will not be in contact with water on both sides, just the inside. The return (the small one) will contact water on the inside and outside, since it is inside the intake.

Both labels say the same thing, so here is one of them:

Edited July 15, 2022 by Guppy Guy

[Guppysnail]

Over my head. I bought mine off the roll by the foot. No instructions or warnings included. But I do not see where it says not aquarium use. If it’s safe for drinking water it should be fine with aquariums I would think. 

[Mmiller2001]

NSF products are used in food and water consumption for humans so it should be okay for an aquarium.

[Guppy Guy]

On 7/15/2022 at 9:45 AM, Guppysnail said:

But I do not see where it says not aquarium use.

Maybe I read it wrong, but the red circle with a slash looks like an aquarium to me, but maybe I was wrong. I think I will use it and cross my fingers that nothing bad happens 🤞 

[Mmiller2001]

It looks like a gas pump.

[Guppysnail]

On 7/15/2022 at 10:41 AM, Guppy Guy said:

Maybe I read it wrong, but the red circle with a slash looks like an aquarium to me, but maybe I was wrong. I think I will use it and cross my fingers that nothing bad happens 🤞 

Looked like a battery to my bad eyes 🤣

[Guppy Guy]

Ok then, I’ll do it. Thanks!

[Flumpweesel]

So my assumption is that there is a certification required to state fish safe  ( or food safe) and if they don't pay for the certification they can't sell as safe for fish.  Doesn't mean it's not safe but that it hasn't been tested maybe  or that its not in a food grade condition from factory so I would make sure its clean before using it on an aquarium.  

I can't think of any other reason it would need to carry the warning. 

[Mmiller2001]

NSF is a certificate for food storage and meets the requirements for food products. I think you are 100% safe. 

I use brute trash cans and pipe fitting glue that are all NSF for water storage. 

https://blog.get-melamine.com/what-is-nsf-how-can-it-benefit-foodservice-operation

[Katherine]

On 7/15/2022 at 9:41 AM, Guppy Guy said:

but the red circle with a slash looks like an aquarium to me

I thought it was a refrigerator. I love all the different interpretations. 😂

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

On 7/15/2022 at 10:41 AM, Guppy Guy said:

Maybe I read it wrong, but the red circle with a slash looks like an aquarium to me, but maybe I was wrong. I think I will use it and cross my fingers that nothing bad happens 🤞 

Looks like a refrigerator to me. 🧐