What sealant can I use with PVC that is reef safe?

I am hard plumbing my tank with PVC pipe and I am getting little leaks along my joints. What can I use to fix these little leaks, but still be able to break it down If I need to? Someone has to have experience with this on here!

 

i've heard of people using thread tape even on the slip fittings to get a better seal. It's also called teflon tape. Just a couple wraps should prevent leaks.

 

The white thread tape should only be used on Threaded pipes and fittings. If it is a slip joint or fitting you need to use purple primer and pvc glue. Some go without the primer but I always do the extra step so I know for sure there won't be any leaks.

 

+1, regular PVC cement (and maybe primer) is all you need for slips, and teflon for threaded fittings.

 

There's this stuff called Resue Tape that we started using a couple of years back. It's crazy cool.

But are these pipes under pressure and not really sealed in any way or...?

 

If they are not threaded you need to use Primer and cement. I have heard it can be taken apart with the use of a heat gun, but have never done so myself. I use the wet/dry blue cement for all my connections. it is 100% permanent and I always get leak free joints.

the tape should only be used on threaded joints.

 

You can cement all your slip joints and use tru unions in your plumbing.

 

+1 glue the slip joints and use plenty of unions. They don't have to be true unions as they are very ex*****ve though nice.

I use mostly screw fittings so I can reuse most fittings and valves If I choose to move or replumb. For thread sealant I use LaCo Plasto Joint sticks, works like magic, much better than teflon tape or paste.

 

Ok i bought the PVC Cement and went to town last night, after re engaging all of my flow and return pump i noticed 1 small drip of water. This morning i checked and the drip appears to be gone....hopefully. If it is still there i will add some more cement to that joint with a q tip. There appears to be no effect on my tank from the cement, i was a little worried about that. I really like the neat clean look of the PVC pipe, plus i plumbed a ball valve in there, which could prove useful.

 

Just make sure you have unions and threaded joints at points you will need to disassemble for cleaning and maintenance like next to pumps, valves or bulkheads. Cutting things apart really sucks.
Did you use primer before the glue, that usually eliminates drips and leaks. You also need to make sure and rotate the piece in the socket before it sets up to distribute the glue evenly.