PVC Primer and Cement- How are they "non-toxic" to fish and corals?

Reefahholic · 03/07/2011, 02:03 AM

I don't understand! Everybody was so worried about aquarium safe silicone, yet the Primer and Cement used for bonding PVC together is so toxic, you have to wear a 3-M painters mask just to survive the fumes!

Am I missing something here? Every Joint I bonded together, there was excess glue squeezing out into the inside. Doesn't seem to be a way around it. That glue inside your standpipes/drains wouldn't kill your fish and corals?

Somebody please make me understand why It wouldn't or at least tell me I did it all wrong.

injektion · 03/07/2011, 02:24 AM

i believe that's why you have to wait for it to dry for 48+ hours, so that the stuff is completely dry and incapable of leaking chemicals

this is just my opinion, i have no scientific proof of this lol

Reefahholic · 03/07/2011, 02:55 AM

Hmm, seems like the water would activate it after being dry.

C0rp · 03/07/2011, 04:53 AM

Its obviously safe or humans would not be using it to plumb their home water supplies with it right?

that0neguy1126 · 03/07/2011, 05:25 AM

The solvents in the cement evaporate, and what is left is mostly PVC resin.

gary faulkner · 03/07/2011, 07:30 AM

Just let it dry and it will be okay. I think that just about everyone uses this at some point or another.

HTH

ataller · 03/07/2011, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by that0neguy1126

The solvents in the cement evaporate, and what is left is mostly PVC resin.

+1

You are left with plastic when its cured.

The Velvet Sea · 03/07/2011, 08:37 AM

I've done my fair share of pvc priming and gluing, often starting the system up after just a couple of minutes with no harmful impacts to livestock. I've never been that offended by the odors from it either. Just run some extra carbon for peace of mind.

evsalty · 03/07/2011, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ataller

+1

You are left with plastic when its cured.

+2 and +1

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Velvet Sea

I've done my fair share of pvc priming and gluing, often starting the system up after just a couple of minutes with no harmful impacts to livestock. I've never been that offended by the odors from it either. Just run some extra carbon for piece of mind.

I have used it quite fast myself with no harm at all.

myaerica · 03/07/2011, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C0rp

Its obviously safe or humans would not be using it to plumb their home water supplies with it right?

Not really,Your water lines are copper,wirsbo or pex piping. Your drain lines that go to the sewer are pvc. Your not drinking from any lines with pvc primer or glue. Its all waste water or vent pipe.

billdogg · 03/07/2011, 09:01 AM

Don't want to start a war, but here in Ohio there are whole houses plumbed with pvc. (and/or cpvc) Once dried the stuff is ok for potable water for human consumption. Like others, I have smeared it on, jammed it together, and turned the pump on. I will say that the skimmer will go crazy for a little while, but never had a problem with livestock.

JM.02

disc1 · 03/07/2011, 11:02 AM

It's funny how far a little misunderstanding of chemistry can go. The PVC glue has a volatile solvent that goes away pretty fast. That's what you smell, and the part that's toxic. After a few hours it's all gone and you're left with PVC resin. Water can't reactivate it because it's not water soluble. Now if you put chloroform on it it will melt. But who doses chloroform?

noahm · 03/07/2011, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myaerica

Not really,Your water lines are copper,wirsbo or pex piping. Your drain lines that go to the sewer are pvc. Your not drinking from any lines with pvc primer or glue. Its all waste water or vent pipe.

Standard PVC, although not code in many, but not all, areas to use inside your house, is rated for potable water. So is the cured glue. In fact it is used on some of the plumbing at many municipal water supplies. CPVC is used in many homes for hot water supply. I believe the reason regular PVC is not allowed for inside the house plumbing in many jurisdictions is so it can't accidentally get used on a hot water line. In fact, many places have regular PVC from the city meter to the home, so you are in fact drinking that water. PVC sewer and drain is a specific grade of PVC not rated for pressure. Regular PVC is not for waste water or vent pipe, but can be used if you want to spen the extra money.

Reefahholic · 03/07/2011, 11:22 AM

Thanks guys, I feel A LOT better now. Thanks for clearing that up! I do know this, it drys fast and like steel! Ha, you better have ur pipe right, there are no second chances after 20 seconds. I completely messed up 7 pieces last night. There is no getting it to come apart after it sets.

Happy reefing!

03/07/2011, 02:03 AM	#1
Reefahholic Moved On Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: League City, Texas Posts: 3,974	PVC Primer and Cement- How are they "non-toxic" to fish and corals? I don't understand! Everybody was so worried about aquarium safe silicone, yet the Primer and Cement used for bonding PVC together is so toxic, you have to wear a 3-M painters mask just to survive the fumes! Am I missing something here? Every Joint I bonded together, there was excess glue squeezing out into the inside. Doesn't seem to be a way around it. That glue inside your standpipes/drains wouldn't kill your fish and corals? Somebody please make me understand why It wouldn't or at least tell me I did it all wrong.

03/07/2011, 07:30 AM	#6
gary faulkner Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,468	Just let it dry and it will be okay. I think that just about everyone uses this at some point or another. HTH __________________ Gary Current Tank Info: 300G SPS

03/07/2011, 08:37 AM	#8
The Velvet Sea Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 450	I've done my fair share of pvc priming and gluing, often starting the system up after just a couple of minutes with no harmful impacts to livestock. I've never been that offended by the odors from it either. Just run some extra carbon for peace of mind. __________________ Current Tank: 75 gallon mixed reef Last edited by The Velvet Sea; 03/07/2011 at 08:43 AM.

03/07/2011, 09:01 AM	#11
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	Don't want to start a war, but here in Ohio there are whole houses plumbed with pvc. (and/or cpvc) Once dried the stuff is ok for potable water for human consumption. Like others, I have smeared it on, jammed it together, and turned the pump on. I will say that the skimmer will go crazy for a little while, but never had a problem with livestock. JM.02 __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

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03/07/2011, 02:24 AM	#2
injektion Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 52	i believe that's why you have to wait for it to dry for 48+ hours, so that the stuff is completely dry and incapable of leaking chemicals this is just my opinion, i have no scientific proof of this lol

03/07/2011, 02:55 AM	#3
Reefahholic Moved On Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: League City, Texas Posts: 3,974	Hmm, seems like the water would activate it after being dry.

03/07/2011, 04:53 AM	#4
C0rp Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: West Lafayette, IN Posts: 431	Its obviously safe or humans would not be using it to plumb their home water supplies with it right?

03/07/2011, 05:25 AM	#5
that0neguy1126 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 50	The solvents in the cement evaporate, and what is left is mostly PVC resin.

03/07/2011, 11:02 AM	#12
disc1 -RT * ln(k) Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Little Rock Posts: 9,705	It's funny how far a little misunderstanding of chemistry can go. The PVC glue has a volatile solvent that goes away pretty fast. That's what you smell, and the part that's toxic. After a few hours it's all gone and you're left with PVC resin. Water can't reactivate it because it's not water soluble. Now if you put chloroform on it it will melt. But who doses chloroform?

03/07/2011, 11:22 AM	#14
Reefahholic Moved On Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: League City, Texas Posts: 3,974	Thanks guys, I feel A LOT better now. Thanks for clearing that up! I do know this, it drys fast and like steel! Ha, you better have ur pipe right, there are no second chances after 20 seconds. I completely messed up 7 pieces last night. There is no getting it to come apart after it sets. Happy reefing!