Do I have to glue this pipe?

BigJohnny · Jun 13, 2017

Hey Reefers,

Do you think I need to glue this last piece of black pvc pipe from my return line? I'm only referring to the very small piece at the end (the elbows and everything else all the way down are glued). The hole I cut in my canopy requires me to remove it if I want to take that section of the pipe out (silly me) even though I have a union on the back. I'd rather just dry fit it so I can easily pull it out if i need to remove the pipe or canopy, or adjust the depth of the return line to minimize back siphoning or reducing splashing. Will the return flow push it out if I don't glue it?

Thanks!

donnievaz · Jun 13, 2017

I wouldn't worry about it. Make sure you cut the end as square as you can so it butts up against the lip in the elbow and it won't be going anywhere.

BigJohnny · Jun 13, 2017

donnievaz said:
I wouldn't worry about it. Make sure you cut the end as square as you can so it butts up against the lip in the elbow and it won't be going anywhere.

Thanks. I doubt I can get it all the way in without glue but it's pretty far in there. I also want to be able to get it out without a wrench lol. Dry fit all the way in can be pretty tight too. Even if it's not all the way in do you think the flow would push it out? I mean it can't be adding that much resistance since it's an open pipe right?

BigJohnny · Jun 13, 2017

If it popped out worst case I'd get some splashing from the return nozzle being an extra 3 inched above the water but it'd be contained in the canopy.

BigJohnny · Jun 13, 2017

The other reason I want to be able to take it out is because the tank is a deep blue with sketchily adjustable overflow and I'm not exactly sure where the water level will be. I want to minimize back siphoning as much as possible obviously.

donnievaz · Jun 13, 2017

I don't think it will come out.

BigJohnny · Jun 13, 2017

donnievaz said:
I don't think it will come out.

Thanks.

BigJohnny · Jun 13, 2017

Anyone else with experience on this? I appreciate all the input I can get.

Greybeard · Jun 13, 2017

My cube ran with exactly this sort of return, with the pipe you're referring to 'friction fit', for a couple of years. No problems.

Gotta think about possible failures... Could it fall out? Sure. Is it likely? No. How much of a problem would it be if it did? Not that much... I'd leave it.

BigJohnny · Jun 13, 2017

Greybeard said:
My cube ran with exactly this sort of return, with the pipe you're referring to 'friction fit', for a couple of years. No problems.

Gotta think about possible failures... Could it fall out? Sure. Is it likely? No. How much of a problem would it be if it did? Not that much... I'd leave it.

Thanks boss

Greybeard · Jun 13, 2017

BigJohnny said:
Thanks boss

<shudder>

I hope to never again be in a position where that title can be correctly attributed to me.

smh254 · Jun 13, 2017

I've had this piece of PVC on here for six months with no glue. I do get some salt buildup around the connection but other than that everything's been fine. The way I see it as long as the elbows above the water what bad could happen.

BigJohnny · Jun 13, 2017

BigJohnny said:
Thanks boss

Haha sorry I call everyone who gives me advice boss. Habit :)

BigJohnny · Jun 13, 2017

smh254 said:
I've had this piece of PVC on here for six months with no glue. I do get some salt buildup around the connection but other than that everything's been fine. The way I see it as long as the elbows above the water what bad could happen.

Thank you, makes me feel better. Agreed.

BigJohnny · Jun 13, 2017

smh254 said:
I've had this piece of PVC on here for six months with no glue. I do get some salt buildup around the connection but other than that everything's been fine. The way I see it as long as the elbows above the water what bad could happen.

Btw, can you recommend a good par38 bulb? The rapidled ones from bulk reef supply have terrible reviews