High Tide Aquatics

Putting together a return line for my tank

[quote author=Elite link=topic=5235.msg64735#msg64735 date=1226959585]
I've never use the primer and never had a problem. I clean the pipe really good before glueing though.
[/quote]

Clean the PVC pipe with like a towel and water?
 
Well dirt and grease is one part of it, but on a molecular level the PVC chains along the boundary of any surface behave a bit differently than those within the object , so the primer serves to loosen them up so the glue can penetrate and you can get a tight sold bond rather than an adhesion.
 
Yeah.. I clean all the pipes not just for glueing. There might be stuff inside the pipe (spider's wed, dirts....). That's why I clean them in the bathtub using hot water. Apply the glue evenly on both ends and don't forget BurTBear's advise to give it a little twist.

It's not that I disagree with Mike. If I glue a bunch of stuff, yeah I will use the primer. But this is only for a return pipe. It's a waste to buy a can (even the smallest one) and use just a bit. I'm cheap ;D ..
 
hahahahaha :D
I may swoop up a can just to learn how to do it. Is there somewhere in particular people get their primer and PVC cement? Ace Hardware?
 
[quote author=DurTBear link=topic=5235.msg64762#msg64762 date=1226964725]
You can get a primer/glue pack at Home Depot or Lowes. It's pretty cheap (less than $10 I believe).
[/quote]

Nice, now I can get primer AND pvc cement in the same package ... AND for <$10 ... sweet. :)
I just took a looksy at your build thread Durwin - looks like things are "piecing together!" Don't worry - pun intended :D
 
Haha! It's a slow process. I really should just spend an entire day during the weekend and do it all at once. Actually, I was planning on doing that yesterday but after I got home from the hardward store (my second time there and I need to go back again), I realized my measurements were totally off and that I wouldn't be able to put the tank underneath the stand. So my plans were foiled yet again. Hopefully it'll be ok just sitting there on the floor.
 
Should be fine, just don't step in it :)
I didn't know the priming cementing process took all day? Do you mean it has to cure for 24-48 hrs., or does it literally takes a day to prime and cement something like a return line?
 
Oh no...the priming/gluing process only takes a few minutes. Add primer to the pipe and inside of the fitting. Let that sit/dry for a minute or two and put glue on the pipe. Stick the pipe in the fitting and give it a little twist. All done within a few minutes. I've just been lazy, that's all!
 
haha, I have some time next week, so I think I am going to try and get the whole priming and cementing thing done next week ... that is if I can decide what parts I am going to use :p
 
yeah, I don't plan to add water to the tank for 1-2 weeks after finishing all the plumbing. So everything will have a good couple hundred hours to cure and settle in :D
 
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