Plumbing pipe questions

tinpusher · #1 10-25-2005, 12:14 AM

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

Funky_Fish14 · #2 10-25-2005, 12:25 AM

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

Matt · #3 10-25-2005, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinpusher

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

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).

BMW Rider · #4 10-25-2005, 12:46 AM

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.

WWWD · #5 10-25-2005, 01:37 AM

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.

trilinearmipmap · #6 10-25-2005, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WWWD

your better off uisng schd 20 pipe as you can get more water thru the same size pipe

Where do you get that kind of pipe?

WWWD · #7 10-25-2005, 02:40 AM

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.

tinpusher · #8 10-25-2005, 04:08 AM

Thanks. Unions is that a snap together coupling piece?

Funky_Fish14 · #9 10-25-2005, 04:17 AM

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

inspector · #10 11-26-2005, 09:10 AM

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