Plumbing pipe questions
 

Is the white PVC pipe from Home Depot the correct stuff?
What glue do you recommend that is strong, safe for fish, and won't break down in saltwater?
Are threaded connections preferred where possible?
Do you use regular white teflon tape on threads to seal joints?

That's all for now.

Thankyou :lol:

I cannot answer on the threaded connections, however I think I can answer the rest.

Yes, the white PVC is just fine to use. The glues to use(first) apply "Oatey" Purple Primer(well, its the only purple primer "Oatey" makes, not sure if thats the exact name), and "Oatey" Grey PVC Glue/cement(if I remember correctly).

I think threated connections are typically avoided, besides Union Couplers for easy dissasembly of the plumbing.

I hope this helps.

Take care,

Chris

Re: Plumbing pipe questions
 

1) Yes, for rigid pipe, the "white stuff" (schedule 40) from home depot is fine. Use the recommended solvent cement. I prefer to cement the connections whenever practical, as I find them less leak-prone.

As to threads, I use plumbers teflon compound rather than tape, as most teflon tape doesn't work very well with PVC fittings (it 'sticks' to metal fittings better).

Just use the threaded connections in places where you may need to disassemble the pipe at a later time for maintanance, repairs, upgrades etc. Also when you glue the fittings together, try to leave enough length in the pipe between fittings for future changes.

your better off uisng schd 20 pipe as you can get more water thru the same size pipe. also forget the purple primer, it's ghetto. go over to a plumbing supply shop and get clear primer, you wont see your glue jobs and it looks more professional. also make sure you use unions around areas of your plumbing that you think you may want to undo or change from time to time.

Where do you get that kind of pipe?

i think any plumbing supply place should have it. the only diffrence between 20 and 40 is the interior pipe size. 40 is better for cold water enviroments so it won't crack.

Thanks. Unions is that a snap together coupling piece?

They screw together, but no tape is required as they have a rubber ring which seals them.

Also, I use the purple primer and the cement and my pluming joints look just fine and clean, hehe.

Chris

pvc pipe
 

hi the thing to remember when glueing pvc is take the burr off the end of the pipe,use primer,use the right glue and don't be cheap ensure you have enough on the joint and last of all when glueing the joint push the pipe into the fitting give it a quarter turn and hold.if you do not hold the pipe can push out of the fitting.paul

threaded fittings offer more restriction than slip fittings..avoid unless necessary.

what glue you use is up to you..i use oatey's clear primer and grey cement, haevn't have a problem...if you do get a small leak, just clean off with a damp cloth (after the cement is dry) and just put another coat of cement over the fitting..has always worked for me

I agree.
I just learned, last week, that the only reason purple primer is purple is so that building inspectors can see that a plumbing contractor has been using it. They see the purple all smeared on the pipe were the joint(s) is/are.
The clear stuff is essentially the same...just not dyed, so you won't get the purple mess on your piping if you use clear primer.
If you don't need your work "inspected", I'd go with clear primer.

Cheers,

pvc
 

Hi all ,Johnny reefer wrotedoes'nt everyone get there piping inspected :biggrin: about threaded fittings i found that it is good to use them on the unions,I had a union split at the ring and if it was not threded i would of been cutting and glueing.Paul

all good info I used the stuff from home depot but now would have left more space and some threaded parts too.