Are brass fittings ok to use?

[DeadlyFoez]

Every build that I have seen on here used plastic fittings when possible. Am I alright with using brass fittings for my system? Is the any pros and cons for plastic and brass besides price??

The stores around where I live dont carry any plastic fittings, only brass. Thank you all.

 

[BigToke]

Plastic is better but as far as I know brass is ok to……….

 

[DeadlyFoez]

Now I know that certain metals are usually coated with something to prevent corrosion and other things, is brass one of those metals and would the brass or coating taint my nutrients like how copper would???

 

[stinger_489]

using copper fittings can lead to poisoning your girls....not advisable....although i don`t know about brass....and to deadlyfoez....don`t u have a bnq near you.? i get all my fittings from there...cheap as chips my friend.

 

[legalizekindtok]

depends on if using for air lines or water lines...

water is a no no to use metals. look at it this way brass tarnishes just with what we breathe as normal atmosphere.. and brass is a combination tin and copper both which are on the elemental table and yes are in your city water in ppm's. plastic is so much better cuase it is neutral and doesnt corrode.using metal fittings will leach to your water and nuts so will and possibly contaminate your nuts in turn killing your work in progress!! so take the extra time to get plastic!!! besides plastic is cheaper and easier to clean, or replace it!!!
shcmoke sumtin dogg!!

 

[foaf]

copper and brass are just fine. if you get your water from the tap to start with, its been past copper and brass already. the amount of copper that gets into the water is so miniscule and brass wont release lead into your water.

use whatever is easiest.

and you asked for pros and cons.

I agree, plastic is cheaper, and better or just as good for most things.
Copper is better where you cant afford a leak, like tying your city water pressure into your RO filter. Here I would sweat on copper fittings cause there is no chance of ever leaking.

For water and air I like the quick connect fittings, they work great, are reusable and never leak.



For drainage I like bulkhead fittings instead of barbed fittings.

 

[DeadlyFoez]

I thought the white plastic fitting could let light pass through so they were bad because they can allow algea growth. And I cant find bulkhead fittings now.

 

[foaf]

bulkhead fittings http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/product.asp?catalog_name=usplastic&category_name=37&product_id=5719

the algea thing I had never really thought about, thats an interesting point. Ive never had any problems, but I use a continuous recirculation so the nutrient is never still in the tube in the light. If that was the only issue, metalic ducting tape is cheap and easy to work with, Ive used it to lightproof other things, and the tubing does come black, but the clear is easier to get and cheaper.

 

[Getawaymonkey!]

The problem with using brass in a hydroponic system isnt whether or not copper will leach into the nutrient solution , giving your babies copper toxity. Its the byproduct of the corrosion process that occurs in a recirculating system containing brass, that will cause the solution to poison your plant .
I used to build watercooling equip and any introduction of metals into the system will cause whats called "the battery effect" and the result is corrosion which will alter your pH substantially and will cause all kinds of problems for an otherwise healthy plant, I would think.
using PVC Plastic is a no brainer for me

 

[legalizekindtok]

i think you are refering to eletrolisis? monkey??

 

[DeadlyFoez]

Ok, Well I'm using a float valve for auto top offs and it contains brass. If that is the only bit of brass in my system and stick with plastic for everything else will my shit be ok or can I get problems from it?

Thanks all.

 

[Guest]

lots of people use those float valves with brass fittings with no problems

 

[legalizekindtok]

you could probably get away with that..

 

[Guest]

like he said^ copper and brass are used in the city plumbing and in you r house in the fixtures.. Brass is safe and soo is copper,

 

[stonewall]

Nutrient solution can corrode brass and copper. This is not a good thing.

 

[DeadlyFoez]

OK, so some of you say it's ok to use brass, others say no. Does anyone have any proof of what they say....links to informational sites?? I just want to know for sure.

 

[stonewall]

Amonia and nitric acid are very corrosive to brass, and are both present in hydroponic solutions.

 

[foaf]

ammonia and nitric acid kill plants in the same way they dissolve brass, so if your solution has much of these (it doesnt) they you have bigger problems than your fittings.

 

[DeadlyFoez]

So, will I be ok with the little amount of brass thats on my float valve or should I find something thats all plastic? I bought it at a hydro store.

 

[foaf]

use the fitting already man.....

if you need some reference to know who to believe, fwiw ive got a chemistry degree from an ivy league school and ive been growing pot for years indoors and have used brass and copper plenty of times. my last tree (just getting a good cure on it) was almost 4 lbs, see my gallery, and Ive invented the most coolest butane hash oil extractor that reclaims all of the butane and processes many ounces at once, see gallery. If you can't believe me on the internet then why ask anyone here.