pvc glue dry time?

[fungia]

i need to do some replumbing this weekend but i want to reduce the downtime on my tank to as little as possible. how long does it take for pvc glue to dry so i can start the system back up again? i know the glue manufacturer says allow 24 hours to cure but i also see my lfs start up their tanks within 10 minutes after they glue piping. what would you recommend?

 

[Anonymous]

It depends. If you don't care about the VOC (volatile organic compounds) getting into your water, you can do what your LFS do. The longer you wait, the less VOC will get into your water.

 

[Blazin__]

i dont think this is good advice... i started using the pipe like 20 min after i glued everyting together... if i did it again i would probably wait longer...

 

[Anonymous]

I agree with you, Blazin__.

 

[Tackett]

I would wait about a week, circulate a bathtub full of vinegar and water through it for about 12 hours, let it dry and then circulate RO water through it. But thats me.

just waiting two days should do the trick practically.

 

[ChrisRD]

In a pinch I have restarted within an hour (after flushing the plumbing with freshwater first) and saw no ill effects. That said, I prefer to give it at least 24 hours for the VOCs to dissipate. I've had some projects in-progress for an extended time and the cured glue joints stink even days later...

 

[wstellwagen]

I have started up after as little as 5 minutes with no apparent problems. It really deoends
on ones options making repairs on the feed line I would start up as soon as I could.
On a closed loop I might wait an hour.

Walt