Using brass valves. Is it safe?

I was just wondering if I can use Brass gate valves instead of PVC ones. Will that hurt anything?

Also, what kind of light do you need for the fuge? I'm a little concerned about heat, since my DT main light already puts my temp up 3 degrees in a 4 hrs schedule. I'll put some macro and about 4 mangroves, so the more efficient with least possible heat transfer to the water would be ideal for me.

Thanks for your advice.

- Magnus.

 

I would use pvc only. Brass could potentially break down over time and release harmful metals into the system.

Also running a fuge on a reverse light schedule would help alleviate any heat issues. As for a fixture im not real sure..you may could go with a less expensive pc fixture or you could maybe just rig a light from HD something around 6k in temp would prob be sufficient. I have 2 halogen bulbs under my tank for the fuge and its enough to grow my mangroves. Its a very yellow light prob in the 6k range. Hope that helps.

 

Don't use brass go with PVC and I use a little coralife pc fixture for my fuge.

 

Thank you very much! I was thinking the brass valves would be a bad Idea since they're made with Copper and Zinc... but I just wanted to make absolutely sure about it since that's the only thing I can get at my local hardware store. Anyone knows online stores to get the Gate Valves at a reasonable price, other than flexpvc.com? I find their site a little crowded and the valves they have don't look like what I wanted to put in there.

As far as the light goes, I bought one of those clip on fixtures from Home Depot, but I wasn't sure on the light bulb I should use. Do I need it to be Metal Halide, which I understand will put a lot of heat out, or can I use a fluorescent bulb?

I guess I need to look up fuge lighting threads to make more sense out of the whole thing.

- Mag.

 

No don't put halide in it. They sell bulbs at home depot that is just fine for this application.

 

What are the exact bulbs and fixture you would need/use from home depot? I have to pick one of those up but dont know what to even look for!

Thanks!

 

a clip on fixture with the bell reflector and a 6500k curly CFL

 

Thanks reefmonkey....So one of those silver ones you see...like a bell as you stated....and the bulb is one of those new curley flourescent ones that last like 7 years?

 

yup, any cfl 6500k daylight bulb will work

 

i know that my Home Depot and Lowes do not carry pvc gate valves. they do have ball valves but not gate. bulkreefsupply has a pretty good selection of gate valves. i plan on ordering one tmmr. probably just the economy schd 40