Pvc cement emergency

cdems126 · May 5, 2022

I have to cut my pipe and take a piece out and put a better gate valve in. How long after I cement them together is it ok to run water in the pipe for a established tank with residence. I have been told like 12 min by some people instead of 24 hours. So I wanted to talk to the experts.

fishguy242 · May 5, 2022

hi, give it an hour to be on safe side.

\m/reefsnmetal\m/ · May 5, 2022

I would go with 24 hours to be safe. I'm sure there are people who didn't wait and were fine. But that risk is up to you.

Hallowhead · May 5, 2022

I've seen people wait 15 minutes, ive seen people fire it right up. I'd wait at minimum 15

NowGlazeIT · May 5, 2022

10-15 min is the set time on most so any time after that you’ll be good to go.

Billdogg · May 8, 2022

When time was of the essence, I have cut/glued/replaced and had the circulation back on in under 2 minutes. Any pvc cement that contacts the water will skin over pretty much instantly.

If you're worried, run some carbon to remove the potential contaminates

Freenow54 · May 8, 2022

The important part is to use pvc cleaner, then glue. 15 minutes easy.

Billdogg · May 9, 2022

FWIW -I'm on year 35 or so of reef tanks, so I've done my fair share of pvc work, and have never bothered with cleaner or primer. I find it to be a unnecessary step or two that just isn't needed. None of our plumbing is under pressure - it is all open ended.

For household plumbing, sure , but for aquariums, no

WVNed · May 9, 2022

1/2 and 3/4 inch get an hour. Bigger than that I wait 2-4 hours.

MnFish1 · May 9, 2022

cdems126 said:
I have to cut my pipe and take a piece out and put a better gate valve in. How long after I cement them together is it ok to run water in the pipe for a established tank with residence. I have been told like 12 min by some people instead of 24 hours. So I wanted to talk to the experts.

"After joining the pipes you must hold them together for 30 seconds until the plastic hardens or they can slip apart. It takes another 15 minutes for the joint to harden to a point at which it can withstand water pressure and two hours to fully cure."

I would then rinse with fresh water - for a couple minutes. My rule - if you can still 'smell it' - don't use it - even after 2 hours.

AlexG · May 9, 2022

In an emergency I would skip the cleaner or primer and just wait 15-30min before turning everything back on.

jetor · May 9, 2022

Your drains aren't under any real pressure:

https://www.oatey.com/sites/default/files/2020-11/01_SolventWeldCureTimes_CureChart_LCS358G.pdf

I would say 15mins if it were my tank.

MnFish1 · May 9, 2022

jetor said:
Your drains aren't under any real pressure:

https://www.oatey.com/sites/default/files/2020-11/01_SolventWeldCureTimes_CureChart_LCS358G.pdf

I would say 15mins if it were my tank.

To me the issue is any residual chemical - as compared to leakage. Now - granted - the amount of chemical is extremely small - but it also depends on the size of tank you're talking about.

jetor · May 10, 2022

MnFish1 said:
To me the issue is any residual chemical - as compared to leakage. Now - granted - the amount of chemical is extremely small - but it also depends on the size of tank you're talking about.

Agreed that is always a consideration. My tank is 300 gallon in volume so I wouldn’t think twice. Lack of circulation is a killer too.