PVC threads

diana a · Apr 22, 2020

Planning all my fittings and pipes for my tank. Spent too much time watching videos.! Every video (including BRS) on plumbing an aquarium shows threaded PVC being wrapped in tape to give it a good seal. According to Lasco Fittings, the use of tape, doop and teflone paste is for metal pipes and fittings ONLY. They say when using PVC threads, to use a proper sealant...which is non-hardening, and doesn't add slipperiness. Can you guys tell me what that proper sealant is called for PVC threads?

Assembling Threaded Plastic Fittings | LASCO Fittings

www.lascofittings.com

Raffle King · Apr 22, 2020

Use teflon tape for threads and glue for slip joints

mickeysreef <*))))< · Apr 22, 2020

yep. have some here

mickeysreef <*))))< · Apr 22, 2020

mickeysreef <*))))< · Apr 22, 2020

mickeysreef <*))))< · Apr 22, 2020

There is a teflon tape for PVC as well. But it is specific. I used this goop and I found some in the sock. So it doesn't just dissolve in water

mickeysreef <*))))< · Apr 22, 2020

You can check each brand of teflon tape for PVC suitability but..

Ultimately I went with the dope.

Screenshot_20200422-154242_Home Depot.jpg

Mark_C · Apr 22, 2020

Excellent basic intro to gluing and working with PVC, lots of good tips...

How to Glue and Join PVC Plastic Pipe

How to make leak-proof connections fast, whether you're using PVC, ABS or CPVC. Plus, common mistakes with PVC glue to avoid and how to fix them.

www.familyhandyman.com

And you might want to consider putting a few of these in the pvc lines...

Homewerks Worldwide 2 in. PVC Slip Joint x Slip Joint Union-511-14-2-2H - The Home Depot

The Homewerks Worldwide Slip x Slip Union is used to join lengths of pipe together. Can be used with either Sch. 40 or Sch. 80. It connects cold water pipes with solvent-weld connections. Rated for 150

www.homedepot.com

They allow you to unscrew and disconnect sections of pipe so you can make future modifications (or just if you need to remove the pipe without ripping apart the whole system).

Here's a partial shot of my sump plumbing.
I have those union connectors, circled in purple, in strategic location so I can remove specific regions of plumbing (main return, overflows, etc) if necessary without ripping apart the whole system.

Also, something I now do on all my tanks - The green circle is a piece of PVC with two run offs. I teflon taped and screwed in two hose connectors then attached hoses with normal sprinkler valve controls in them (Rain Bird) to control flow through them. The one running to the left of the photo goes to my algae scrubber. The one to the right is actully not connected to anything atm and is shut off. They're there in case I want to add a reactor or anything else in the future - the plubbing is already there, no major pain in the butt re-plumbing.

DangerDave · Apr 22, 2020

Thread tape works, you don't need much with PVC. Most of the time I find I don't need it. If it's an extremely small leak, I'll let salt creep handle it. The fish room floor doesn't care when it gets wet.

mickeysreef <*))))< · Apr 22, 2020

I used to work as a plumber 20 years ago. Found this @ home depot. Wow!

Easy clean cuts. Even in hard top reach places. No sanding necessary.

diana a · Apr 22, 2020

Thanks you guys!!!!!

@Mark_C the green circle...is that being fed by the return pump?

Paulie 069 · Apr 22, 2020

Mark_C said:
Excellent basic intro to gluing and working with PVC, lots of good tips...

How to Glue and Join PVC Plastic Pipe

How to make leak-proof connections fast, whether you're using PVC, ABS or CPVC. Plus, common mistakes with PVC glue to avoid and how to fix them.

www.familyhandyman.com

And you might want to consider putting a few of these in the pvc lines...

Homewerks Worldwide 2 in. PVC Slip Joint x Slip Joint Union-511-14-2-2H - The Home Depot

The Homewerks Worldwide Slip x Slip Union is used to join lengths of pipe together. Can be used with either Sch. 40 or Sch. 80. It connects cold water pipes with solvent-weld connections. Rated for 150

www.homedepot.com

They allow you to unscrew and disconnect sections of pipe so you can make future modifications (or just if you need to remove the pipe without ripping apart the whole system).

Here's a partial shot of my sump plumbing.
I have those union connectors, circled in purple, in strategic location so I can remove specific regions of plumbing (main return, overflows, etc) if necessary without ripping apart the whole system.

View attachment 28992

Also, something I now do on all my tanks - The green circle is a piece of PVC with two run offs. I teflon taped and screwed in two hose connectors then attached hoses with normal sprinkler valve controls in them (Rain Bird) to control flow through them. The one running to the left of the photo goes to my algae scrubber. The one to the right is actully not connected to anything atm and is shut off. They're there in case I want to add a reactor or anything else in the future - the plubbing is already there, no major pain in the butt re-plumbing.

Nice thinking ahead

Mark_C · Apr 22, 2020

diana a said:
@Mark_C the green circle...is that being fed by the return pump?

Yep. I have a DC return pump. If/when I add a component I just kick the return power up a notch. But, even so, the drain off the return isn't that bad, so you can easily run a reactor or two, or a reactor and scrubber without too much loss on the return, just make sure to have those inline valves to control the feeds.

Sponge · Apr 22, 2020

Great info everyone. Well done. I will add that although there is product specific for PVC. You will find that a single wrap of any Teflon tape is sufficient. The reason some people advise against Teflon tape is because if you put to much on. You will cause a leak. And almost everyone thinks. More is better. It is not!