Plumbing Nightmare

eternitybc · #1 03-22-2010, 03:27 AM

So after spending the last couple weeks tediously plumbing in my new sump with a Herbie overflow and adding a inline UV and Chiller I just realized I had been using ABS Cement to glue all the PVC together ($200 dollars worth of parts). Everything is holding together with no leaks but does this mean disaster down the road? I'm in a high rise so I have to be extra careful of leaks. Do I have to bite the bullet and scrap it all?

I'm pushing about 450GPH at 6 feet so I'm not sure what PSI that would translate into.

Any insight would be extremely appreciated!

Steve_the_nucks_fan · #2 03-22-2010, 03:50 AM

i think you should be ok.. the best thing to do would be (if possible) to run your overflow off a rubbermaid container and have your waterflow system all running and let it run for a day or two. and make sure everything is all good. if you want to make extra sure run it for a few days.. just an idea. i ran my overflow with my return pump for 24 hours to make surer everything was working good... thats my advice. hope it helps

fkshiu · #3 03-22-2010, 03:57 AM

I wouldn't trust the joints over time. There's a reason why they make separate glues for ABS and PVC.

Check with the manufacturer to see what they say, but I guarantee that they (probably Oatey, right?) will tell you that they won't be held liable for any damage since you've "misused" the product.

eternitybc · #4 03-22-2010, 04:14 AM

Thanks guys for the quick reply, I will give Oatey a call tomorrow. I have a bad feeling it would hold fine for quite a while only to spring a leak while I'm at work a year down the road.

Cameron · #5 03-22-2010, 04:59 AM

I would say if you rent: get tenants insurance, so that if it fails, and water goes down multiple floors, you would be considered liable personally for all the repair. Even if it is a strata building you are responsible for any damage to other units.

If you own, same thing. Get some liability insurance on your policy and discuss with the insurance agent about fish tanks.

Mine covers any damage to other condos, all my equipment, but does not cover the contents of the tank.

#6 03-22-2010, 06:33 AM

If you own in a strata apartment building you also need four walls insurance so you are covered if a pipe in the wall brakes or leaks reguler insurance does not cover this. I use to be on a strata board and the building we were in had this problem with one owner he thought it was the stratas responsibility if a pipe broke inside one of his unity walls. no he lost in cort. once you buy an apartment that is strata you own the pipes inside your walls. strata will cover any pipe that run down hall ways or in common areas as that is what your strata fees are for maintanence of common areas and mechanical roomsand such.

By the way four walls insurance is cheep.
Bill

Bill

eternitybc · #7 03-22-2010, 05:22 PM

It's funny you brought this up as I'm right in the middle of a claim, I had a faulty RO/DI unit that flooded my kitchen and all the hardwood in my unit. The strata covered the floors but their deductible was 5K so I had to make a claim against my personal insurance to cover that. All I can say is I never want to go through that again. Part of this whole plumbing exercise was because I had to move the tank so they can replace the floors. I guess I have to laugh at this point, this whole build process started in November and I don't even have any fish yet, just a Skunk shrimp and some hermit crabs.

sphelps · #8 03-22-2010, 06:34 PM

I would just preform a small test.

Glue an extra fitting to some extra pipe using the same ABS glue you used on the tank. Let it sit overnight and see if you can pull it apart.

If you can't pull it apart or it takes a lot of force to do so you'll be fine. Typical PVC pipe applications usually see pressure in the range of 40 to 60 psi. Your tank shouldn't expose it to more than 3 psi so it's a very low pressure application. Also if a leak does start it'll start as a slow drip, the fittings aren't going to just explode open.

superduperwesman · #9 03-22-2010, 09:07 PM

You'll be fine

eternitybc · #10 03-23-2010, 04:35 AM

So I gave Oatey a call and I was really surprised how helpful the guy was. He said it will act like a "filler" as it hardens and will initial hold the pipe together but as it expands and contracts over time it will cause leaks as the purpose of the cement is to melt the plastic together. (Pretty much what fkshiu said) He of course would not recommend leaving it that way, plus the color of the cement are very different which could lead to denial if a claim was ever made. I'm going to bite the bullet and redo it, if not just for the peace of mind. I really do appreciate all you help everyone!