Flex tubing question

[Ocean View]

Quick question on flex tubing.
When you cement it to Sch 40 PVC is they're a certain cement to use?
And if so which primer if any?
Do not want this thing to blow apart if you know what I mean.

Thanks

 

[ReefEnabler]

I assume you mean flexible tubing, aka spaflex?

If so, do not use any primer. Use Oatey Rain-n-Shine. Available at Lowes, HD or any hardware store probably. Its in a blue can and is a thick blue cement.

It has a high solids content and will be able to stretch better than most of the other ones.

www.savko.com

savko also has some 'flexible pvc glue' that is made for spaflex.

Good luck,
Ryan

 

[coralfragger101]

However, regular primer and glue will work.

Just use a lot of it and hold the connection longer than you would if it were pvc otherwise it will pop apart before setting.

 

[ReefEnabler]

even if you use regular glue, its a good idea to only use the primer on the rigid PVC fitting. Using it on the spaflex does not seem to have the same effect. it seems to soften it up too much and weaken the joint.


more important than the glue is making sure that the fittings are not under stress from bending the spaflex too much to make it fit. If you have to bend it over a short radius, you can either drip it in boiling water and then pose it, or use a heatgun and slowly raise the tempterature and clamp it in the desired position until it is cooled. When cooled it will keep that form. Sometimes it might require two tries

This will minimize the stress on the glue joints which is the number one reason that will cause the joint to fail in the first place.

 

[Ocean View]

Thanks for the information.
I got the flex tubing from Lowes.
I also needed a bulkhead so while I was ordering from Savko I also ordered the glue.

Again thanks

 

[ReefEnabler]

excellent, that stuff should work well.

Good luck.