plumbing my refuge w/ PVC & vinyl tubing

hottielover14 · 05-30-2004, 07:41 AM

Hi I got all the plumbing stuff to set up my fuge. When I turned the return pump on it went into my tank but It leaked where the check valve was connected to the male/female adapter which then is connected to the vinyl tubing. I used PVC cement but I don't know what to do. I haven't had good luck with plumbing it so far. Maybe I should just get rid of the vinyl tubing and just go all PVC. would that be better?

dx7fd2 · 05-30-2004, 09:11 AM

Were you using the clear PVC cement? I would not recommend it. Using the blue or the red cement insures a joint that won't leak and that it will last. In irrigation of you make the mistake of using the clear you will be digging up the water lines within 2 years to redo leaking joints

05-30-2004, 01:02 PM

Is it coming from the connection? is it threaded or smooth?
How was the vinyl tubing connected?

I have used clear cement for years and no leaks the trick is to prime the connect or PVC with the purple color primer.

dx7fd2 · 05-30-2004, 02:31 PM

In general you are right oh Nauty One... if there is any stress on the joints there could be a problem. Cold and Hot expansion and contraction of the joints and just movement can cause these to fail. I have been paid to fix a lot of problems in DIY irrigation projects simply because of the wrong glue.
You are so right about the primer. It actually roughs up the joints by melting them just enough that the glue really takes hold, plus the clean joints glue very nicely. Even hand grease can screw up PVC joints.

hottielover14 · 05-30-2004, 03:47 PM

i have the vinyl tubing which is connected to a male and female adapter and then the other side of the female is connected to a check valve and it's a smooth connection to the check valve. Then on the other side of the check valve there is another female connection that is threaded and then I have 2 90 degree elbows to go into my tank. It's leaking right where the female and male adapters are connected to my check valve. I'm using the clear stuff I didn't think there was a difference in them. Can I take the pieces apart and re-glue them with the red or blue stuff.

05-30-2004, 03:51 PM

If it is threaded then you should use teflon tape.
If already glued I don't think you have a choice but to start all over and use new connectors.

hottielover14 · 05-30-2004, 03:53 PM

does any kind of PVC cement come in red or blue and why is it hold better for leaks.

dx7fd2 · 05-30-2004, 04:16 PM

The red hot blue cement can be found where you got the clear cement and it is used for the slip couplings an fittings(I usually get it at Home Depot). It is not as liquid as the clear and is made up a little differently. The brand I use is "Christy's Red Hot Blue Glue". Oakley makes this stuff also. It meets NSF req's and is rated for potable water. I swear by it. The clear works but it will crystallize over time. Use the purple primer on both the male and female pieces and then apply the glue to both and make sure you push and rotate the fittings together until the fitting hits bottom. Try and get off any excess glue that squirts out. Primer can actually
help with that.
Nautilus is right the joints cannot be unglued once the are glued. You have to start over.
Always use the Teflon tape, not glue, on threaded fittings, as Nautilus so aptly pointed out.
This Red Hot Blue Glue can actually be used on wet fittings, I've actually used it under water, but I do not recommend doing that.

hottielover14 · 05-30-2004, 04:19 PM

how would I use teflon tape and why.

dx7fd2 · 05-30-2004, 04:26 PM

You wrap the teflon tape around the male threads so when you screw them together the threaded joint will be watertight. Threaded joints on their own are seldom watertight. The tape is about $1 for a roll that you won't use up with the project you are working on.
I would recommend at least three complete clockwise wraps around the male threads.