PVC Glue on running tank

[sfoister]

I need to re-plumb my overflow and sump. I have no choice in the matter and it needs to happen soon. Anyone ever glued PVC together on a running tank? How long does the glue take to cure without being toxic? I can keep the pump off for a while to give the glue time to cure, but how long?

Any advice would be great.

 

[slowwrx137]

I've re-plumbed my tank while it was running in the past. I moved the heater from the sump to the tank and waited a few hours before starting the return pump back up after re-plumbing with no issues.

 

[sfoister]

I've re-plumbed my tank while it was running in the past. I moved the heater from the sump to the tank and waited a few hours before starting the return pump back up after re-plumbing with no issues.

Good to know, I may just do the same. Keep the power heads going and move the heater. When you say few hours, are we talking 3 hours here, or 8?

 

[mcgyvr]

I've done it quite a few times.. I just let the pieces sit for 30 minutes after gluing before getting them wet.. No problems at all.

 

[top shelf]

I just swapped out a return pump and had to do my return line and I used super glue instead. Glued 3 joints waited 10min for it to dry not a single leak.

 

[slowwrx137]

Good to know, I may just do the same. Keep the power heads going and move the heater. When you say few hours, are we talking 3 hours here, or 8?

around 2-3 hours

 

[sfoister]

Thanks for all of the replies. Looks like I've got some paranoia not based in reality.

 

[billdogg]

You can cut, glue, and have water running in under 5 minutes using standard PVC cement. I've done it more times than I can count with no issue. Your skimmer might not like it, but the fish/coral won't notice a thing.

 

[insteng]

You can cut, glue, and have water running in under 5 minutes using standard PVC cement. I've done it more times than I can count with no issue. Your skimmer might not like it, but the fish/coral won't notice a thing.

I do it all the time with water lines. I turn the water back on as soon as I get it glued.

 

[EnderG60]

as long as you use heavy duty glue Ive glued things and turned the water on within 2 minutes with no issues.

 

[Gorgok]

as long as you use heavy duty glue Ive glued things and turned the water on within 2 minutes with no issues.

This is true in many of our cases, but shouldn't be assumed to be true for all pipe work.

Basically, since we don't use pressure in most cases our cure times can be based on the handling time the manufacturers list. For pipes smaller than 1.5" that is actually 2 minutes. Up to 3" its 5 minutes. But if you are to cut up your main waterline in the house to add a tee for a rodi system, it is pressurized, and you shouldn't use the same times. Up to 180 psi the same 2 minutes now is 1 hour, and the 5 minutes 2 hours.

Oatey has tables on this. See here.