I wish I would of known this on my first aquaponics system build:
Tips for Fitting PVC with Glue
- Start from the water source and work your way back
- Use primer if you are gluing
- Use enough glue to have a small bead when you push them together, not a drip
- Only glue what you don’t want to come apart or adjust
Common Sense PVC Tips:
- Dry fit 1/4″ deep before gluing
- Remove all burrs with sandpaper to prevent clogs
- inspect the insides of the pipe before you glue them together
- Avoid getting dirt into the pipes as you build them. Block up the far end while you work on other peices
- stuff a rag into the end of the pipe if you have to stop for the night
- Plan for ways to clean out your design, it will clog eventually
- Holes drilled will fit clay hydroton balls nicely – use slits instead
- Do not use a wrench to tighten plastic nuts on PVC, hand tighten only
- Wait 24 hours before using freshly glued pipes
PVC Irrigation and Drainage
- Sharp bends (90 degree elbows), cause resistance in your drains
- A good rule of thumb for drains: use a larger drain pipe than input pipe
- Larger pipes have less pressure and more volume
PVC Safety
- Use fish safe resins and glues
- Snapping PVC with your bear hands is cool, until it rips your knuckles apart on a sharp edge.
- Primer (acetone) melts plastic… be careful
- PVC gets soft around 140 degrees, CPVC gets soft around 180 degrees
- Avoid breathing PVC dust or fumes if you heat bend something