Using regular pvc pipe glue on reef tank plumbing?

[K-pow]

Opinions on using regular pvc pipe glue on my reef tank plumbing? Will it hurt anything? I used aquarium safe silicone before but it was not very sturdy. I’m about to move all my hard plumbing so I’m just curious.

 

[Justanano]

To glue the pipe together? Should only be using pvc glue

 

[Victor_C3]

Once the PVC glue sets, it’s no longer toxic.

 

[Alarmguy66]

Agree that once you need the join to be permanent, glue is the only way to go and is safe.

 

[ca1ore]

Toxicity of PVC solvent is overstated frankly. There have been a few threads over the years on this topic, and you'll find that many of the reefing veterans put welded joints back into service after only minutes. Once the solvent has initially set and the smell has subsided (for me, 5 minutes) it's generally good to go. Just put solvent on the outside of the pipe not inside the fitting - that way there's no squeeze out pooled inside the pipe.

 

[Auto-pilot]

Just make sure you prime the pvc before you glue it!! Purple primer then glue. If you don't it can fail

 

[nereefpat]

Toxicity of PVC solvent is overstated frankly. There have been a few threads over the years on this topic, and you'll find that many of the reefing veterans put welded joints back into service after only minutes.

I have literally had the stuff drip into my sump while plumbing on my reef with no effects.

 

[mfinn]

PVC glue is safe.
I generally give it about 10-15 minutes when doing a repair.
When I do a whole new system I like to do a freshwater test to make sure I didn't miss any joints and that would flush everything .

 

[fish farmer]

Make sure to hold the fittings together so they don't push out while the cement sets.

 

[K-pow]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the input. It has just always been something that makes me nervous.

 

[ReeferBean]

The primer is not necessary in my opionion. Just go with the clear medium body.

 

[sharpimage]

I don't use primer, and clear glue. never an issue

 

[Hydrored]

I use the fusion combined stuff, if gluing bulkheads you have to hold it due to the plastic type

 

[User1]

Just make sure you prime the pvc before you glue it!! Purple primer then glue. If you don't it can fail

Primer - be it purple or the clear one I think they have now. Also please sand. Treat it like you would when installing sprinklers. I sort of go this route after measuring of course:

1. Measure, measure again (because I suck at measuring if you couldn't tell)
2. Rough sand pieces that you are connecting - pipe and fitting
3. Loose fit to check measurements from #1 above, if good proceed to 4
4. Use pencil to mark pipe and fitting alignment (more on this below)
5. Apply primer to pipe and fitting
6. Apply glue to pipe and inside fitting
7. Gently place fitting on pipe until they reach stop
8. Turn 1/4
8. Turn back 1/4 to pencil mark from #4 above while applying pressure to hold together
10. Count to 30
11. Clean up if mess

The long and short of it is that you sanded, applied primer, then marked final position. Apply primer, glue to both ends, set, apply pressure as you turn 1/4 one way and back to final alignment. This gets all everything all set and when done right you will feel a bit of heat from glue and primer and pvc doing their magic. Will seal up nicely and you will never have a leak...

 

[fishguy242]

hi i would like to add,no primer wet/dry blue pvc cement ,awesome,
glueing pvc to plastic different cement by oatey can will be different color and specify

 

[User1]

hi i would like to add,no primer wet/dry blue pvc cement ,awesome,
glueing pvc to plastic different cement by oatey can will be different color and specify

Oatey for thread sealer No need for tape. Works great but amazingly messy