Bonding PVC to clear tube

[Tom@HaslettMI]

I recently salvaged two pieces of 3' clear pipe and would like to use one as a kalk top off reservoir (similar to Tunze kalk reactor). ID of the pipe is 3" and OD is 4.5". I'm not sure what material it is... could be clear PVC or it could be acrylic. So, what should I use to bond PVC end pieces to this pipe. I'm thinking some type of weldon but which one and where can I purchase it?

Any help is appreciated.

Tom

[RedfordReefer]

I use Weldon 16 for all my items that are plastic in nature, and that I need some consistancy to the solvent.

Laird plastics has it.

I have not used it on PVC, however. I am not sure what it'd do to the PVC.

[Tom@HaslettMI]

I'm finally getting ready to do this DIY build and am wondering if I can use the common cleaner and solvent used to bond PVC together. If the tube is acrylic will the solvent not work and/or cause damage? I already have these and kinda don't want to buy weldon if I don't have to.

Also note that the OD dimension in the original post was a typo... should be 3.5 inches and NOT 4.5!

Thanks,
Tom

[shovelhead91701]

I do not know if it will work to bond them but I can tell you from accidental spill during a sump build that purple pvc primer will craze the surface of acrylic horribly.... looks really cloudy and cracked.... still held water though.

[Tom@HaslettMI]

I do not know if it will work to bond them but I can tell you from accidental spill during a sump build that purple pvc primer will craze the surface of acrylic horribly.... looks really cloudy and cracked.... still held water though.

Good to know. I'm not too worried about looks as it is a DIY kalk chamber and will not be on display. I think I'm going to give it a try and if it really doesn't work I can cut the toilet flange off and toss it. I'll still have close to 3 ft of tube left and only be out the ~$5.00 for the toilet flange.

Thanks everyone. I'll up date this post after I've tried it.

Tom

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Made the reactor a week or so ago and it has been performing like a champ. When getting the materials to glue the toilet flange on I discovered that I have clear PVC primer... so no ugly purple stains here. I though about starting a DIY thread for this but since several of the parts are not common I've held off for now. Any who... here it is!

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=83&pictureid=888

Tom