is pvc cement ok to use

sjk2840

sjk2840

Member
is it ok to use the pvc cement on an intake and return tube in a Sw tank. It's a 10 gal FOWLR and I'm in the process of setting up a system to get more water flow. My power head is heating up my tank too much. I have a seperate small water pump that will be on the outside of the tank, with the plumbing going into the tank. the cement really smells, I have fish in there that I dont want to kill.
 
fishfreak1242

fishfreak1242

Active Member
It is safe to use just as long as the pieces that you glue are not submerged in water. The smell usually goes away after it drys.
 
C

cmaxwell39

Guest
PVC is totally harmless once it dries so it will be fine to use.
 
reefforbrains

reefforbrains

Active Member
Put whats called a "Union" in the length of pipe before the pump. You can just add it it a joint where you would normally use a coupling. Idea behind using a union is so you can dis-assemble as needed to remove the pump, or do routine maint without any pain in the tail

As for hooking the PVC to the pump use a glue in adapter. It will slip on one side of the PVC and then thread into your pumps output nose.
Hope this helps.
-RFB
 
sjk2840

sjk2840

Member
Thanks for all of the tips. I do have the the system working. the whole thing is assembled from PVC pipe, including the intake strainer and return pipe. My biggest concern is that part of the intake tube and return tube are glued with the PVC glue, those pieces will be submerged in the water. An above post said not to put the glued pieces into the water?? I have the system running into a large bucket of water-no leaks-but the glue still has a slight smell to it. So, should I redo the pieces that are sticking in the water or will my fish be OK?? thanks again.
 
salty blues

salty blues

Active Member
I don't see any difference between running water inside pvc and submerging the outside of the pipe in water. I have a submersible pump for the return in my sump with pvc attatched and I haven't killed any livestock.
 
mkzimms

mkzimms

Member
it will be ok. pvc cement isn't actually a glue or cement, its a solvent weld. it basically melts the two pieces of pvc together. its made of a mixture of solvents and dissolved pvc. once the solvent evaporates it is chemically the same as the pvc pipe.
it will dry in a few hours, but not totally cure for a day or two. i wold wait at least a few days until the fumes have totally gone away and you can be assured it has cured before putting it in the tank.
 
sjk2840

sjk2840

Member
Thanks to all who answered me. My son totally set up the pvc and had it in the tank and the pump running. most of it was put together yesterday, just the intake and output tube had to be finished. I didnt realize that the glue was actually PVC in a solvent form- I also called my trustworthy LFS and they said it was OK to put into the tank. My clownfish swim into the current-they must like it. The only drawback is that the pipe is white-couldnt find gray or black-so its visible, but this is only a 10 gallon starter tank, it will turn into a quarantine tank when I do set up my larger DT by the end of summer(I hope). This was definitely a learning experience
 
reefforbrains

reefforbrains

Active Member
PVC is always white.
ABS is black.
CPVC is grey
Each takes it own glue but should be readily available off the shelf right next to where you purchased the other glue.
 
silverdak

silverdak

Active Member
Originally Posted by smokingreefer
http:///forum/post/2635688
I wanted black pipe too but a lot of the fittings that are available for PVC don't come in ABS.
what fittings come in PVC that dont come in ABS? I work at a plumbing supply house... there are more ABS fittings then PVC out there... at our store at the least....
 
silverdak

silverdak

Active Member
tell me what you need and I will see if I can help you out. it will be my little way of giving back to this site
 
waterlogged

waterlogged

Member
Can ABS be attached to PVC. For example if you ran PVC off of return pump but wanted it to be black when it comes in over the rim and hooks to black loc-line on an undrilled tank.
 
gold strip

gold strip

Member
Get some Krylon Fusion or Rustoleum Plastic and paint the pipe black. Just wait until they are good and cured dry before putting them back in the tank.
 
scsinet

scsinet

Active Member
Originally Posted by Waterlogged
http:///forum/post/2636892
Can ABS be attached to PVC. For example if you ran PVC off of return pump but wanted it to be black when it comes in over the rim and hooks to black loc-line on an undrilled tank.
Yes, you can do this, but you need to use a special cement. Oatey makes a product called "Transisiton cement" that is designed to transition between PVC and ABS.
You may be able to get away with using ordinary PVC cement, but that's at your own risk.
 
sjk2840

sjk2840

Member
at least now I know that there are options out there. I do have the white PVC tubes hanging in my tank-its my starter 10 gal. tank. When I set up my larger tank-hopefully by the end of summer- I'll have somewhat of an idea of how it should be plumbed. I will probably end up having a tank custom drilled so I dont have to mess with PVC sticking out. Any helpful hints on plumbing a drilled tank would be greatly appreciated. thanks in advance
 
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