Dropped PVC cement in tank!

BaileyB · Jan 27, 2020

My outtake piping sprung a leak, and looks like I forgot to glue it.... months down the road I pulled them apart and attempted to glue it back together with pvc cement after cleaning the surface but a drop of the PVC cement went into the tank water! It seems like some of it (hopefully all of it, doubtful though) stuck to the surface of the water and I was able to pull it out with my hands.. I’m going to watch the coral over the next couple of hours but if they really start to close up and become unhappy do I just do a massive water change? I’m assuming the PVC cement is harmful because it’s got all sorts of warning labels on it.. thanks guys.. afraid of a crash.. 80 Gal total volume

BAUCE · Jan 27, 2020

I'd recommend running carbon asap

salty joe · Jan 27, 2020

If it was one drop and you managed to get it out, you are probably OK. I agree with running carbon.

BaileyB · Jan 27, 2020

Sublime Corals said:
I'd recommend running carbon asap

How long do you suggest running the carbon for and how much? I never have before

BaileyB · Jan 27, 2020

salty joe said:
If it was one drop and you managed to get it out, you are probably OK. I agree with running carbon.

How much and how long do I use the carbon for?

ColdOceanReef · Jan 27, 2020

BaileyB said:
How much and how long do I use the carbon for?

Use what ever is recommended on the package.

Robert M · Jan 27, 2020

You’ll be fine. No need to do anything. 1 drop is well below the toxic limit for fish, inverts or coral. I know someone who dropped the entire can into his tank... fish were fine. I wouldn’t bother with carbon myself.

robbyg · Jan 28, 2020

Yep a lot of people have gotten small amounts in their water and all was fine.
You can run carbon just in case, but I highly doubt you will have an issue.
As for how long to run carbon, that is a big variable. If you have a reactor I would run it based on the pumps output and probably have it do at least 8-10 turn overs based on your tank size. If it's just bags dumped in the sump then it will take several days to have any effect.