OK to use old plumbing on a used system???

Hello everyone,
I just purchased a used 90gal tank. It has been sitting for quite some time. Does anyone know if it would be safe to reuse the pvc plumbing or should I start from scratch? I am not new to the hobby and I have not posted on this site for quite sometime but I have not had a system that is drilled before and do not have any experience with built in overflows and pvc plumbing. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

I don't think there should be a problem with safety.

At least with the PVC. Sometimes there are rubber seals, and I think these may dry out/shrink/crack with age, but unless the system is really old I don't think this will be a big deal either, just watch for leaks.

Just do a test run with freshwater before committing any salt to the system.

 

I would say just as long as you employ some measures to clean the pipes first to ensure no nasty hitchhikers are surviving, the seals and pipe themselves will be fine to use.

On the other hand, with PVC being relatively cheap and easy to work with, for perhaps less than $50 including material and glue, you could likely build anew - and this time you can customize it to your current setup.

 

I was already thinking of using new pipes. These are pretty nasty. Like I said I don't have any experience with plumbing a system but I'm sure I can find info on the net. I don't even know what the overflow is rated at gph so hopefully I can figure that out.

 

is it a hang on the back overflow or is the tank drilled? measure the size of the holes

 

Tank is drilled with a built in overflow. That's why I don't know the gph rating on it. Tank has no name or info on it at all. I don't like the way it is plumbed using all pvc for everything. I think I will replace the bulkheads and run a hose for the feed. Any suggestions on what to use for a return pipe? Currently it has a tube with holes in it with 2 large sponge filters on it.

 

Can you get a size on the bulkheads? That will determine the GPH for you. I would go hard PVC return, but that is just my preference. You could always go with the time tested clear plastic lines, probably cheaper and easier to work with on a whole.

 

plastic tubing is easier to work with but pvc is way way way cheaper...you could probably plumb the whole thing for under $25 where as for 10' of 3/4" tubing is about $20-$25 at home depot

 

I would recommend replacing the seals in the bulkheads/the bulkheads themselves just to be safe.

 

Thanks everyone I think I will replace everything. Is there a formula for figuring gph from hole size? The drain is larger than the return. Return is 1.5"