PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is an incredibly common material today, found in everything from household sewage lines and farm irrigation systems, to medical equipment and shower curtains. If you’re speaking about using rigid PVC (uPVC) pipes in your aquaponics water system, that’s a good choice. Rigid PVC does not contain plasticizers such as phthalates or BPA and is certified as food safe. It’s also inexpensive, easy to work with, and will not warp or rust. It would be hard to find another material that offers the same value and usability for your aquaponics irrigation system.
There are other PVC materials, though, that are definitely not food safe, and it’s important to keep that in mind so that you don’t inadvertently expose your food (and by extension, your family) to potentially dangerous chemicals. When you’re considering liners for your grow beds, fish tanks, or otherwise, it’s important to remember that other types of PVC can be extremely dangerous to human health. Flexible PVC, sheet goods, and other products may contain hydrogen chloride and dioxins, which can cause severe respiratory ailments, birth defects and cancer when exposed to potable drinking water sources. Fortunately, high quality, NSF certified potable grade liners are available from companies like btlliners.com. When you’re using potable grade materials, you know you’re using the safest option for your aquaponics products.
