First time plumbing a tank - PVC questions!

E

Eisen McD

New member
Hey all! I have my dry rock going through a very elaborate cure phase, so have lots of time before the cycle starts.

I did start doing some plumbing work, and I'm just getting so dang frustrated! I have regular schedule 40 PVC (red from BRS). I'm using a PVC cutter that I saw getting good reviews. It can do up to 2" PVC it says, I have 1.5", and 1", and 3/4". I initially tried a hack saw....no fun, and what a mess.

Issue #1 -

The PVC cutters are so smooth, go right through my 1.5" pipe. my only concern is, as much effort as I put in to make sure that cut is straight, it has a slight angle....every dang time! Should I be worried? I'm thinking its between 1/16th to 1/8th of an inch higher on one side of the pipe than the other (that's the angle). So.....will this fly? the pipe shoves into the various fittings about an 1.5", so plenty of room for glue!

Issue #2 -

Chamfering the pipe. What the heck do you guys use? I have a metal file, it works. but my right arm will be the size of the rock's after I do both ends of all these various pipe segments! I don't have a router, or power saws of any sorts. I do have a dremel (but that seems like it would be too wildly uncontrollable). What would really be cool is a drill attachment that could do this! Anyone have any good advice?
 
Every pvc cutter I've ever used has left a minor burr at the cut but they usually don't interfere with making a good connection. More pronounced burrs can be smoothed with a bit of sandpaper at an angle so as to disturb the bur only. The angle variance in the cut is not significant and should have no effect on the seal.
 
The angle is fine and there is no need to chamfer it either..

I cut all my PVC with a hacksaw.. when done I simply run my finger around the inside to knock all the burrs off and a real quick spin of sandpaper around the outside to do the same and off to gluing it goes..
 
Who cares if it is a little off when it is inside of a fitting. I have cut miles of pipe, between irrigation systems, house plumbing and of course aquariums. The cutters do seem to have a bias for leaning one direction or the other. If you line up the lower portion that holds the pipe carefully and apply even pressure it will cut pretty straight.
 
I used a hacksaw, and also a table saw to cut the pipe. The table saw is my preference for the cuts, and I just used sandpaper to deburr the edges/scuff the pipe a bit. Chamferring is not required.
 
One more thing. I used PVC primer which prepares the PVC surface for glueing. If you car about how your PVC looks ( most dont ) If you do use primer ( which I recommend ) I would advice to find some primer that is clear. The normal PVC primer has a nasty purple dye in it. I got some from amazon as HD / Lowes only seems to have the purple dyed stuff.
 
mcgyvr said:
When you get older just about every movement is classified as exercise..

Each night I do 200+ 12ounce curls too.. ;)
Click to expand...

That can cause repetitive stress injuries. You should really learn to shot-gun them.

I've used all the above. The slight angle from the cutters don't seem to affect anything.

I have a 12" miter saw with a fine toothed blade that cuts PVC like butter.
 
mako61 said:
True That... Never saw stairs in my house as exercise till I got older :eek2:
Click to expand...

Just bought a new house and its ranch style
I'm only 40 and planning for the future already.. :lol:
No old person "motorized stair lift chair" for me ever...
 
A piece of philosophy for tank plumbing: a leak or slipjoint pipe UNDERWATER is generally not a problem. Easy removability is an asset.
 
Thanks for the advice and the thoughts on the 2 concerns I had.

I got better and better with the PVC cutters with each cut (learning how to anticipate which angle it was going off at). And, as you guys mentioned small angles really don't matter when its shoved up a fitting about an inch and a quarter! :)

I just continued to use the metal file and sandpaper to do the chamfering. I could have gotten away with not doing it, but wanted to make sure I didn't cut any corners.

I've only done my overflow at the moment....its the reef synergy variety so has three drain lines I had to plumb to my sump. splurged for fancy red PVC from BRS to make it spiffy looking. If I ever knew how to put a pic up here....I'd give it a shot!
 
Pics!!!

Pics!!!

Ahhh....I think I see how to do pics now. let me try this.

Please don't laugh.....yes, this is simply a little 29 gallon, and I've got a massive overflow on it with some serious looking drain pipe....I know, I know. I apparently watch too many youtube videos and get too many ideas.

But, the overflow cost just as much as any other option I was looking at (hang on backs included), and the cool thing is, I used unions everywhere, so I can transport the overflow and as much plumbing as possible to a bigger tank when its time to upgrade

picture.php



picture.php
 
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