Cutting PVC Under Water

bluetmax · 12/20/2007, 01:26 AM

Does anyone know of a good way, or if its possible, to cut PVC under water? I made a few columns, and wound up not using the full height. Its 1/2" hot water pipe (the outside diameter is 1/2 inch), and I really don't want to have to take everything back out of the tank....Thanks in advance!

Chris Witort · 12/20/2007, 01:53 AM

Use a PVC cutter and just cut it to the lenth you want. They are like big scissors.

TomRep · 12/20/2007, 11:30 AM

I used a hacksaw to cut mine (very well cleaned, of course!). The spot I was trying to cute, I couldn't get any kind of grip on the PVC cutters, or a full swing around the pipe. Hacksaw worked, but it was a pain to clean the shavings! Most floated to the surface, but some didn't. Good luck!
tom

bluetmax · 12/20/2007, 12:12 PM

I'm going to have to make a pit stop at Lowe's, because everything I have available is so dirty that I'm scared to put it in the tank. I tried some scissors that we use at the emergency room that will cut through coins, but they kept slipping off of the pipe because of its diameter. Thanks for the help, and if anyone else has any ideas, I would love to hear them for future reference.

RandyStacyE · 12/20/2007, 03:19 PM

I like the PVC cutter idea ... they do work great. They work quickly and do not require all that much space to do the job.

t-bone2 · 12/20/2007, 08:36 PM

also a regular pipe cutter for copper pipe will also work

Konadog · 12/20/2007, 09:02 PM

If you use a pipe cutter or PVC cutters, be sure to clean any oil off of them before you stick them in your tank.

12/20/2007, 01:26 AM	#1
bluetmax Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Mississippi Posts: 243	Cutting PVC Under Water Does anyone know of a good way, or if its possible, to cut PVC under water? I made a few columns, and wound up not using the full height. Its 1/2" hot water pipe (the outside diameter is 1/2 inch), and I really don't want to have to take everything back out of the tank....Thanks in advance! __________________ Dustin bluetmax@aol.com Current Tank Info: 60 Gallon SPS dominated mixed reef; 55 Gallon FOWLR; 20 Gallon Mixed Reef; 20 Gallon FOWLR; 10 gallon Mixed Reef

12/20/2007, 11:30 AM	#3
TomRep Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Fleetwood, PA 19522 Posts: 1,219	I used a hacksaw to cut mine (very well cleaned, of course!). The spot I was trying to cute, I couldn't get any kind of grip on the PVC cutters, or a full swing around the pipe. Hacksaw worked, but it was a pain to clean the shavings! Most floated to the surface, but some didn't. Good luck! tom __________________ "I got me a big wave, ride me a big wave, got me a big..WAVE!" Ed Vedder It's a reef thing, you wouldn't understand! Current Tank Info: 50 breeder w/o sump mixed reef, sps dominant. NEP T5 fixture with no stock bulbs, Bermuda Rogue HOB skimmer, canister filter, DIY hang on fuge, 2x modded MJ400's, Tunze Osmolator ATO, Randy's 2 part dosed with and Aquamedic twin

12/20/2007, 12:12 PM	#4
bluetmax Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Mississippi Posts: 243	I'm going to have to make a pit stop at Lowe's, because everything I have available is so dirty that I'm scared to put it in the tank. I tried some scissors that we use at the emergency room that will cut through coins, but they kept slipping off of the pipe because of its diameter. Thanks for the help, and if anyone else has any ideas, I would love to hear them for future reference. __________________ Dustin bluetmax@aol.com Current Tank Info: 60 Gallon SPS dominated mixed reef; 55 Gallon FOWLR; 20 Gallon Mixed Reef; 20 Gallon FOWLR; 10 gallon Mixed Reef

12/20/2007, 08:36 PM	#6
t-bone2 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: wrong end of the stick Posts: 577	also a regular pipe cutter for copper pipe will also work __________________ It's all smoke and mirrors Current Tank Info: 210gal becoming reef 90 reef going away

12/20/2007, 09:02 PM	#7
Konadog Master of the 16 hour day Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: East Long Beach, So Cal Posts: 13,151 Blog Entries: 4	If you use a pipe cutter or PVC cutters, be sure to clean any oil off of them before you stick them in your tank. __________________ Save the Reefs................................................................Save the world! -Ken Current Tank Info: Currently tankless, and loving it!

12/20/2007, 01:53 AM	#2
Chris Witort Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Western Washington Posts: 556	Use a PVC cutter and just cut it to the lenth you want. They are like big scissors.

12/20/2007, 03:19 PM	#5
RandyStacyE Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 2,659	I like the PVC cutter idea ... they do work great. They work quickly and do not require all that much space to do the job.