A word to the wise

[Gregz263]

A few years ago I had a mass die off of all my SPS, at the time I suspected the glue from some plumbing I had done a day earlier. However it could not be confirmed and did not seem likely.

Well Saturday I was doing some plumbing again, adding another tank into my system for some new critters. As we were having family over that evening I was hurried in my work and did not give the PVC cement much time to dry.

Well when I woke Sunday morning the first thing I noticed were many dead small serpent stars floating in the current. Next I saw that ALL of my SPS had been completely bleached, RTN. Well this time I have no doubt it was the glue residue.

Also falling victim and compounding were about 30 heads of Frogspawn. These dying created a funk in my water that multiple water changes and extra carbon has not stopped.

As of this time I have lost in addition to the SPS and frogspawn. All my adult snails, juvenilles seem OK. My feather dusters. One varity of mushrooms. 3 Nice rose bubble tip anoneme.

Not sure on my Zoas, they are still closed up. Hopefully I can at least salvage those. Thankfully, All my fish seem unaffected.

So a word to the wise. Give PVC cement plenty of time to dry, then flush the system before use.

 

[argi]

Sorry to hear about your losses. What type of PVC glue are you using?

 

[Gregz263]

Standard PVC cement and purple primer

 

[pecan2phat]

Definitely sorry for your loss.
What I find puzzling is that I've used pvc solvents and most of the time if it is well planned, then yes, I try to let it dry. But after having a main system running, most glueing jobs are done where you can't have pumps idle for a long time. Having said that, the majority of my solvents have no more then an hour before it is put back on line and I have not had any negative results that you experienced.

 

[argi]

Standard PVC cement and purple primer

There are different grades of PVC cement...you will want to make sure the one you are using is safe for potable water. I have also used "freshly" cemented pieces in my tanks without any issue, but I do normally rinse them first. I actually just hooked up a remote refugium and used PVC glue and had it glued and running in less than 30-60 minutes.

But I agree it is better to be safe than sorry, so letting it dry and rinsing well is always the safest bet.

 

[Reefir]

same here I use the yellow stuff , glue and primer in one from home depot ,and have had no problems like thas . I never use purple primer though . sorry to hear , if you need a frogspawn or hammer frag lmk , i would be happy to help u get back on your feet for x-mas .

 

[cato]

Definitely sorry for your loss.
What I find puzzling is that I've used pvc solvents and most of the time if it is well planned, then yes, I try to let it dry. But after having a main system running, most glueing jobs are done where you can't have pumps idle for a long time. Having said that, the majority of my solvents have no more then an hour before it is put back on line and I have not had any negative results that you experienced.

Same here. Never had an issue either.

 

[nicole977]

I've used the blue type of pvc glue called "RAIN-R-SHINE". It works if the pipes and fittings are wet/dry/dirty/whatever. No problems with that so far.

 

[erbgo]

Standard PVC cement and purple primer

any chance you can post a pic of the cans and where you bought them

 

[Reefir]

did either part drip into the water or is it used pipe tainted with oil or chemicals ?

 

[erbgo]

I have had glue and cleaner drip into the water never a prob

 

[mtc1966]

i use ace hardware primer and glue and have had water flowing through in minutes no problem

 

[rickcSMF]

Are you sure that it wasn't something in the PVC pipe and or some type of contaminate on your tools?? What did you use to cut the pipe? Any metal with copper or something other source of contaminate possible? Have you Used that glue on other things and or had it exposed to places where it could pick ip contaminates?

 

[Gregz263]

Cutting was done with pipe snips, no cross contamination there. Pipe was all new. Will post a pic of the glue, but is the same kind they sell at Home depot. I am thinking the biggest lingering problem is from the frogspawn die off. Made the water cloudy, even melted some mushrooms into nothing.