Is Aluminium safe for planted tank?

[Lasker]

Dear Bros and Sis ..

I have a couple of DIY stuffs that transfers water out of the tank and back into it. So I am wondering if it is possible to transfer them via aluminium tubes instead.

The purpose of this is to help heat transfer from the water to the air around it. Heck, I may put a fan to blow onto the pipe somewhere in the future.

So my question is .. is aluminium safe for the planted tank? Will it leak something out that is poisonous?

If yes, are there other 'safe' metal or material that are good for heat transfers?

While we are on the subject, I read in one of the threads there that PVC pipes are not safe for planted tank, please confirm?

Cheers and thanks,
Lasker

[medicineman]

Dont use regular aluminium. It gets oxidized rapidly and start to go whitish, flaking off within months.

A good, ultimate alternative would be titanium.
Copper tubing can also be used as it withstand corrosion better than aluminium, however you do not want copper to excessively accumulate in the tank. You will be only able to keep copper tolerant creatures (red crsytal probably would not appreciate it) and do regular water changes to keep the concentration reasonable.

I've been using PVC piping and forget about any possible side effect. Works well and safe enough for me.

[Lasker]

Thanks for the tip.
I guess Plastic is the only way to go with planted tank hmmmm

[essabee]

Aluminium reacts with water at all temperature to form aluminium hydroxide, so not aquarium safe.