Which diameter pvc pipe floats?

mfinn · Oct 19, 2017

I'm planning on removing all my fish ( 21) and putting them in a bare bottomed quarantine tank and was planning on using pvc pipe as cover/hiding places.
I saw a picture somewhere that someone made a pyramid out of cut up pieces of larger diameter white pvc pipe.
I tried that once with black abs pipe and found out it is extremely buoyant.
I know pvc fittings don't float.
I was planning on getting a 10' piece of 4" diameter schedule 40 pvc pipe, but I am worried it might float too.
I did a google search and found a discussion on the matter. It was said 1/2" through 3" doesn't float, but 4" will.
I was wondering if anyone here has any more info on this or have already done what I'm trying to do.

joekool · Oct 19, 2017

the 4'' will float if its the non pressure rated pipe IE(foam core) if its solid PVC than it will be heavier than any PVC smaller in size.
Even some 3'' pipe is like this as well so make sure its standard SCH40 and not low or non pressure pipe and you'll be ok.

joekool · Oct 19, 2017

I have some in garage and I will check it out for you. Ill take some pics too. give me a few minutes.

joekool · Oct 19, 2017

So you want standard PVC like the six-inch PVC pipe which is solid

You do not want 4 inch PVC that looks like this Which is cellular core and it is going to float but as I showed you above you see they do make larger diameter that is a solid PVC you just have to find it but a lot of people are switching to the Cellular because it’s lighter and cheaper to make.

joekool · Oct 19, 2017

Basically don't by the cellular PVC even if it says SCH40 and you wont have ant float issues.

mfinn · Oct 19, 2017

joekool said:
Basically don't by the cellular PVC even if it says SCH40 and you wont have ant float issues.

I see quite a difference in prices between the solid core and cell core.
At Lowes the 3" solid core is $1646 for a 5' piece. The 10' cell core $9.68.

I did find some really cheap 4" tees and 90's that don't float.
So I may go with a combination of 4" tees and 2" pvc solid core ( $ 9.38 for 10' )

Thanks for the help.