Reef Safe PVC Cement?

[lessthanlights]

Can anyone recommend a reef safe PVC Cement? Are they all safe once fully dried?

[clownnut]

yes, once they fully cured.

[FastFish720]

Generally all safe, even when wet as it will form a crystal like coat on your surface that is super easy to remove. Also remember to use the Clear Cleaner or Purple Primer.

[insacron]

Personally I'd recommend using both Clear Cleaner and Purple Primer

[lessthanlights]

Do I need to use primer is the pipes are brand new?

[spsick]

yes, it softens and prepares the surface for gluing.

[aka_BigRed]

I haven't looked at my can of cement, but I thought most of it was NSF - ie non-toxic. At any rate, once it dries you are fine.

I don't think there's any need to use both clear & purple. The purple primer cleans as well as softens the PVC before applying the cement. PVC cement really isn't like traditional glue, it's more like an organic solvent that melts the pipe & fitting then when it evaporates the pieces are essentially welded together.

Just let it dry for a couple minutes in a well ventilated room and it's fine. You can test it pretty easy - it you smell the joint you just glued and it makes you feel a little strange or headachy, it's not done drying yet, give it a couple more minutes.

[NHGJesusFreak]

Just let it dry for a couple minutes in a well ventilated room

Oh, like anybody actually does that! Mbay tahts why I cnat tpye so good!:biggrin:

[aka_BigRed]

Oh, like anybody actually does that! Mbay tahts why I cnat tpye so good!:biggrin:

Yeah, I know I don't either but you have to note it for anyone who hasn't had much experience working with PVC. I usually just try not to directly huff it, but there's no real escape from the slight contact high you get from being around it while you're working with it.

I worked a couple summers with a swimming pool company during college, and we went through PVC cement like it was water - they ordered it by the gallon. Needless to say some of the equipment rooms we plumbed weren't ventilated very well at all. There's nothing like lots of PVC cement being used in a tiny, non-ventilated area to give you a splitting headache!

[Pomacanthus]

Best PVC glue available retail is called "Wet or Dry" and blue in color, costs a little more than clear Oateys but worth the extra money. I discovered it when i had to glue an fitting on a pond underwater, and much to my disbelief it worked - Ive been a fan ever since.

[NandKBlock]

Is there anything you can use in a reef tank safely to cement pipes if you don't have the time to let the glue/cement fully dry? Would plumber's putty be safe?

[fivesmallworlds]

late night there nate....

[Pomacanthus]

plumbers putty would not be safe at all, not even close. Ive glued literally thousands of fittings, if you have exp you can go "light on glue" wait an hour, fill and run making sure you have carbon on return path. Ive done this on commercial apps on many occasions with good results - but beware your mileage may vary. Always best to wait 24 hours, but my rule is always always use the carbon regardless there is all kinds of stuff off gassing on a new system, not to mention residual contamination from oddball sources.