Garden Hose for Water Change?

[Brian Ward]

Can I use a garden hose to do water changes? My main concern would be the metal ends - are there plastic alternatives that I could put on or are there garden hoses that come with plastic ends on them already? I need 50-60 feet of hose to get to my upstairs tank and garden hose is quite a bit cheaper than vinyl tubing.

[DaveS]

If you're really paranoid about the brass ends, you could always cut the ends off the hose and use Sched8- barbs and pipe clamps. All would be available from Lowe's for about $5.

[Brian Ward]

If you're really paranoid about the brass ends, you could always cut the ends off the hose and use Sched8- barbs and pipe clamps. All would be available from Lowe's for about $5.

 

happen to know the ID of a garden hose?

[Brian Ward]

Is there any issue with the material hoses are made from?

[Doughster4]

Is there any issue with the material hoses are made from?

YES

 

Garden hose is NOT drinking water safe. You need to use a material that is FDA approved for drinking water. PVC hose is safe, as are any RV/marine hoses.

 

Regular garden hoses leach harmful organics. Flushing them first of all water laying inside them helps but they are still not "food" safe. Garden hoses are available in 1/2", 5/8" and 3/4" diameters. "Safe" water hoses are available at any RV store or West Marine.

[Brian Ward]

So this one is good?

 

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/store...mp;classNum=239

 

or this one?

 

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores...amp;marketID=43

Edited January 14, 2010 by Brian Ward

[zygote2k]

How many times when you were a kid, did you drink from the garden hose? If you get brand new hose, you and your fishies should be fine.

[davelin315]

Are you talking for draining or adding?

[DaveS]

YES

 

Garden hose is NOT drinking water safe. You need to use a material that is FDA approved for drinking water. PVC hose is safe, as are any RV/marine hoses.

 

Regular garden hoses leach harmful organics. Flushing them first of all water laying inside them helps but they are still not "food" safe. Garden hoses are available in 1/2", 5/8" and 3/4" diameters. "Safe" water hoses are available at any RV store or West Marine.

 

 

Yes this is a good point. If you are talking about long term use, I think the lack of food grade materials could be a problem. Based on some very recent observations I'd avoid using it for long term. It's probably fine if you are talking about periodic filling/draining use. If filling, probably good to flush out the water in the hose prior to each use.

[wfoxfox]

How many times when you were a kid, did you drink from the garden hose? If you get brand new hose, you and your fishies should be fine.

 

I still drink out of a garden hose :-) Tastes like crap unless you let it run for a few seconds - LOL

 

I can't wait to teach my grandkids the proper way

 

you wonder why the newest generation has the worse immune systems 'ever'

 

they haven't been exposed to anything organic

 

kind of sad, actually

[Origami]

Most garden hoses are 5/8", I believe. Some 1/2" can also be found.

 

If you're using it primarily to drain water out, you'll be fine. If the ends are not constantly submerged, the time it takes to drain down your water will not result in any significant problems, even from the brass ends. Just be sure to rinse the ends after each change to prevent salt-induced corrosion. For adding water to your tank, that's a different question. I'd avoid it if possible just because they're no telling what might leach from the plastic (if anything) that might accumulate over time. Of course, the same could be said about storing our RO/DI and change water in plastic trash cans, eh?

[Brian Ward]

I'm talking about for adding water - I have a pump that will pump my fresh saltwater from the basement up 1 floor to the tank, but I was hoping to save $50-$60 and use a garden hose instead of vinyl tubing since I need 60' or so. However, it sounds like that may not be a good idea.

 

I think the food-grade hose is definitely a possibility though? One I looked at was treated with anti-microbial stuff, so I scratched that one, but the other two made no mention of any treatment, only stated that they are FDA approved food-grade hose for an RV or boat.

[L8 2 RISE]

I use the cheapest, thinest grade vinyl tubing for the same type of thing. For pumping water through them, you really don't need anything super. I got mine for maybe 40 cents a foot.

[extreme_tooth_decay]

I use the cheapest, thinest grade vinyl tubing for the same type of thing. For pumping water through them, you really don't need anything super. I got mine for maybe 40 cents a foot.

 

 

Same here.

 

I bought a 50' run of either 3/8 or 1/2 ID tube for I think about $25 (you're gonna spend that much on a good hose anyway). I think I gave it away, but if I still have it, you can have it if you want.

[Brian Ward]

Same here.

 

I bought a 50' run of either 3/8 or 1/2 ID tube for I think about $25 (you're gonna spend that much on a good hose anyway). I think I gave it away, but if I still have it, you can have it if you want.

 

LMK if you still have it. If so, I'll definitely use it.

 

When I buy some I want to get 3/4" ID so it doesn't take forever to pump 20-30 gallons - that's what drives the price up. I looked around last night and I think the cheapest I found was about $0.70/ft for a 100-ft roll. That'll work, just didn't want to spend $70 if I could get away with $40.

[L8 2 RISE]

I do 50 gallon water changes with mine (I think it's 5/8" ID) and it takes about 10 minutes to pump the water through with a mag 5.

[extreme_tooth_decay]

LMK if you still have it. If so, I'll definitely use it.

 

When I buy some I want to get 3/4" ID so it doesn't take forever to pump 20-30 gallons - that's what drives the price up. I looked around last night and I think the cheapest I found was about $0.70/ft for a 100-ft roll. That'll work, just didn't want to spend $70 if I could get away with $40.

 

I'll look tonight and send you a PM either way.

 

 

If you want 3/4" but only need 60 feet, can't you have it cut and only spend .70*60 = $42? Or you may be able to sell the other 40 feet and at least get something back.