Gorilla Glue on PVC

fluidimagery · 07/07/2007, 11:57 AM

A short while ago I noticed a small leak coming from the 1.5" gate valve on my MRC-2. I took it apart once and re-taped it but sure enough the leak was still persistant. It's very tiny, maybe a single drip every 10 minutes, but something that needs to be fixed. Next I tried 2 part epoxy to seal the thread which i thought was the issue. Still leaked.

So I took it apart again to look and I noticed there was a hairline crack in the gate valve housing. Without spending $60 some odd dollars between the PVC and the gate valve I would need to buy I decided to try using gorilla glue on the pvc thread where the crack was. It's sitting out in my garage now where it will stay for the next day while the glue sets.

Was it a mistake to use the Gorilla glue... I was careful not to get it near the inside where it could possibly get wet. Is gorilla glue "reef safe" once it's set?

MTB · 07/07/2007, 12:09 PM

I sure hope so! I just used some to hold a screen on some powerheads. I will let it dry 24 hours and rinse it real good.

Cuby2k · 07/07/2007, 12:40 PM

I did a test on PVC fittings a couple of years ago to see if there was a bteer way to make custom fittings. The test was with butt end fittings so there was not much forgiveness. I used gorilla glue, PVC cement, acrylic solvent, and silicon. By far the best and tightest joint was with PVC cemtn. I have some pics somewhere if interested.

drives300 · 07/07/2007, 09:30 PM

Is it reef safe because I love the stuff

cjgalante · 07/07/2007, 09:37 PM

you can get a gate valve for under $20

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/pro...uct%5Fid=16125

Cuby2k · 07/07/2007, 11:17 PM

Once gorilla glue has cured it is waterproof and inert. It is reef safe.

hypertech · 07/08/2007, 06:42 AM

PVC cement works by softening the pipe and actually making a bond between the two pieces. I would think that is the strongest way to attach 2 pieces of PVC, but I doubt it would be very good for filling cracks.

You will probably be OK for awhile if there is no pressure in the line. I would still consider that a temporary repair until you can fix it correctly by replacing the cracked piece.

fluidimagery · 07/08/2007, 10:11 AM

Well, the skimmer is back in place after 24hrs of curing. So far so good.

I should have just bought a new gate valve... I wasn't originally thinking. For whatever reason I thought one end was threaded and the other was slip so I would need to replace all the pieces on the slip side (which is where I got the $60)... I was mistaken and both sides are threaded. If it's still leaking I'll buy the new valve.

Thanks again guys!

07/07/2007, 11:57 AM	#1
fluidimagery Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Westhampton Beach Posts: 160	Gorilla Glue on PVC A short while ago I noticed a small leak coming from the 1.5" gate valve on my MRC-2. I took it apart once and re-taped it but sure enough the leak was still persistant. It's very tiny, maybe a single drip every 10 minutes, but something that needs to be fixed. Next I tried 2 part epoxy to seal the thread which i thought was the issue. Still leaked. So I took it apart again to look and I noticed there was a hairline crack in the gate valve housing. Without spending $60 some odd dollars between the PVC and the gate valve I would need to buy I decided to try using gorilla glue on the pvc thread where the crack was. It's sitting out in my garage now where it will stay for the next day while the glue sets. Was it a mistake to use the Gorilla glue... I was careful not to get it near the inside where it could possibly get wet. Is gorilla glue "reef safe" once it's set?

07/07/2007, 12:09 PM	#2
MTB Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Illannoy Posts: 1,365	I sure hope so! I just used some to hold a screen on some powerheads. I will let it dry 24 hours and rinse it real good. __________________ Got Frags? Current Tank Info: 40 breeder. Kessil lights. Reef octopus skimmer. Vortec mp40 x2.

07/07/2007, 12:40 PM	#3
Cuby2k Cuby2k Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 982	I did a test on PVC fittings a couple of years ago to see if there was a bteer way to make custom fittings. The test was with butt end fittings so there was not much forgiveness. I used gorilla glue, PVC cement, acrylic solvent, and silicon. By far the best and tightest joint was with PVC cemtn. I have some pics somewhere if interested. __________________ Rod "Cuby" Current Tank Info: 180 display, 100 gal DIY fuge/sump, DIY skimmer.

07/07/2007, 09:30 PM	#4
drives300 Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bradenton, FL Posts: 961	Is it reef safe because I love the stuff __________________ Water Param 79 degrees nit 0 amm 0 phos 0 salifers Calcium 450 salifer alk 11 dkh Ph 8-8.1 Current Tank Info: 90 Gallon,reef octopus nw150, 2 oceanflow mods, 2x 250w 10k mh, phos reactor

07/07/2007, 09:37 PM	#5
cjgalante Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 819	you can get a gate valve for under $20 http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/pro...uct%5Fid=16125 __________________ The bird is the word.

07/07/2007, 11:17 PM	#6
Cuby2k Cuby2k Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 982	Once gorilla glue has cured it is waterproof and inert. It is reef safe. __________________ Rod "Cuby" Current Tank Info: 180 display, 100 gal DIY fuge/sump, DIY skimmer.

07/08/2007, 06:42 AM	#7
hypertech Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 244	PVC cement works by softening the pipe and actually making a bond between the two pieces. I would think that is the strongest way to attach 2 pieces of PVC, but I doubt it would be very good for filling cracks. You will probably be OK for awhile if there is no pressure in the line. I would still consider that a temporary repair until you can fix it correctly by replacing the cracked piece.

07/08/2007, 10:11 AM	#8
fluidimagery Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Westhampton Beach Posts: 160	Well, the skimmer is back in place after 24hrs of curing. So far so good. I should have just bought a new gate valve... I wasn't originally thinking. For whatever reason I thought one end was threaded and the other was slip so I would need to replace all the pieces on the slip side (which is where I got the $60)... I was mistaken and both sides are threaded. If it's still leaking I'll buy the new valve. Thanks again guys!