CoralReeForrest
New member
Wanting to upgrade my plumbing to gate valves this weekend. Going to put the heater in the DT so that should be fine. But how long do I need to let the PVC glue dry before I can deem it safe to put back on the system??
PVC glue wait time
- Thread starter CoralReeForrest
- Start date
toothybugs
New member
Until you can't smell it. My last project took about 3 hours to air out fully.
CoralReeForrest
New member
So I don't need to let it set for 24 hours to be safe?
CoralReeForrest
New member
And then it's safe? I'm paranoid some random little blob is gonna crash my tank lol.
billdogg
Well-known member
In a perfect world you would wait a day or two to allow all the fumes to dissipate. That being said, in more than one emergency, I have shut off the pump, cut, re-glued, and had the pump back on in 5 minutes or so. Your skimmer will probably go a little crazy for awhile, but otherwise your tank will be fine.
I do the same (even in non emergencies) and have yet to encounter any problems.
CoralReeForrest
New member
The PVC cement bottle will tell you the cure time. However, Reefer54 has a great suggestion.
Let the glue dry and you are safe. The cement is NSF.
I'm using just the basic blue PVC glue. Lol just scares me! Just got my gate valves. Will work on it tonight. Hoping this fixes my water balance issue. Using ball valves and my ATO has been working great to keep the sump dead on but woke up today and the DT was at the rim so obviously there is a balance issue
One thing I do is to wrap a piece of blue masking tape around the outside of the very end of the pipe (maybe the last 1/4"), apply the glue to the pipe and then remove the tape. More than enough glue to weld the joint but no chance of squeezing glue inside the pipe. Apply glue to the pipe not the inside of the fitting!
CoralReeForrest
New member
Good advice. Thanks everyone! Hope this fixes my issue! Shouldn't have skimped to begin with lol
LOL, yup, you are over thinking/analyzing stuff. Just like we all do in this hobby. :dance:
CoralReeForrest
New member
Lol right? Thanks for all the advice and help guys!
CoralReeForrest
New member
Well got stuff all installed and glued up about 3.5 hours ago. Will be getting the tank running again here in a bit when we get home. Turned it into a 15 gal WC too lol
I agree. I always use a hair dryer, always wait 60 minutes, never a problem.
NanoReefWanabe
Active member
that is a nice simple way to ensure you have leaks..you need to apply solvent to both parts"¦the solvent eats and softens the pvc, when he two pieces are pushed and twisted together to plastic meshes together and upon evap the weld is complete"¦only applying solvent to one part won't allow enough reaction time one the part with no solvent"¦
as stated by many above though, i have not had issues putting the pipes back in service after a couple minutes, though i tend to wait as long as i can bare...
CoralReeForrest
New member
This I didn't know!! I've always ever done one side. But either way, tank is running and nothing's dead haha so is say success! Thanks guys!
Gorgok
New member
If you read the instructions on the can it would say 1 coat to pipe, 1 to fitting, 1 more to pipe, assemble and 1/4 turn and hold for 30 seconds.
Also for handling time the cure is as low as 2-5 minutes for the pipe sizes we use... Only the 180 psi rating requires an hour or so of cure...
I don't double on the pipe, but 1 coat to both and only hold for 10 seconds, never had issues and i've made lots of pipe stuff. As other said, wait as long as you can but if you have to use it within 5 minutes its not a big deal generally (for aquarium use at least, where you never see real pressure).
Also for handling time the cure is as low as 2-5 minutes for the pipe sizes we use... Only the 180 psi rating requires an hour or so of cure...
I don't double on the pipe, but 1 coat to both and only hold for 10 seconds, never had issues and i've made lots of pipe stuff. As other said, wait as long as you can but if you have to use it within 5 minutes its not a big deal generally (for aquarium use at least, where you never see real pressure).
CoralReeForrest
New member
More great advice! Good for future knowledge.
