When making PVC structure can I use the blue PVC glue I used when I put in my sprinkler system? I was wondering if it might be toxic to the fish. Currently my pond (1 acre) is being dug & I have no fish. I don't want to put them in then go belly up. I'm sure I'll have many more questions,this being my first pond. Great site! I've learn a lot already.

PJ:

No clear answer, but two suggestions:

1) You should be able to find out toxicity info from the product's MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) which can be searched for on-line (although I don't know how without using my company's private resources, but if I needed one I'd try Googling) or should be available from the glue's supplier (any business buying that glue needs access to the MSDS).

2) Any possible problems would be reduced by letting the glue cure and outgas for a lengthy period before putting it in the pond (the less glue smell you notice, the more it has already outgassed).

If it was me I wouldn't worry about it. Once the glue dries it's inert.

Think about it: It's used to glue together piping for potable water isn't it?

We use it to re-enforce the pcv connectors when connecting sections of weighted tubing durring aeration installations.

Cecil says:
I'm with Cecil. The standard instructions that I recall for PVC glue restricts full usage for 24 hours. Presumably this covers cure and potability safety...?

Good deal. Thanks for the info.

Personally, I love the smell of fresh Ketones in the morning...


Just kidding...these are the kind of Q's I answer for our folks all day long. You will have no issue using the glue. ALL the solvents are volatile, and, once it's air dry, there's no harm.

That 24 hour limit on use for potable water is to ensure full strength...

... they smell like plumbing!

Theo...zachary my point!

Anybody think that used bowling balls would be harmful if used as structure? I have an idea that I want to try using 1/2" PVC pipe stuck into a bowling ball for weight. The ball would be drilled to accept lengths of pipe; would like like a spiny sea urchin when assembled.It looks like it's been done before because I saw a "Death Star" design mentioned on a crappie site.

Chip

Chip, I think you have just staked a seriously strong claim on the PB creativity award for the month...and it's only the 2nd.
At first I nearly laughed out loud, then I thought about it....it really is good thinking. Where do I find cheap used bowling balls? Which way to the BB boneyard? Will they take a couple of my old tractor tires in on trade?

I called all the bowling alleys in the phone book this afternoon and pitched it to them as an evironmentally conscious way of dealing with their troubling issue of bowling ball disposal. All of them said they would look and see how many they had and give me a call to come pick them up. I think the 14#er's and heavier balls would allow drilling 24 1/2" diameter X 1 inch deep holes to insert the pipes before becoming bouyant. How much weight should it take to sink a bowling ball anyway?

Chip

Chip,
I bought some stuff similar to what you are talking about. They're called fish attractors. They looked like giant sea urchins when I put them together and 45 minutes after I sunk 'em the BG were all over 'em. Kinda expensive though. Your idea sounds a little cheaper. Good luck!

Jake,

That sounds like the things I saw on the web. A plastic centerpiece that looked kind of like a sphere with facets and holes in it for the pipes. I hope to make one this week using a bowling ball and see if it works as well as you described.

Thanks,
Chip

Yeah, Greg Grimes distributes them. Dwight, another poster, dropped about 10 of 'em in his Minn pond. I'm diggin' the BB idea. I wonder what the alley will charge me for custom drilling the holes? I hope there isn't a premium to duplicate my patented "swiss cheese" grip.

I'll let ya'll know how many holes I wind up drilling. As soon as I get my hands on a bowling ball it'll be out to the bunker to fire up the drill press. I think the wife has a nice powder blue 14 pounder around here somewhere. Actually the bowling alleys said they'd be glad to get rid of some, it's real hard on their lanes when the balls get roughed up.
Chip

Great idea Chip! I'm calling the alleys right now. I'm thinking 15 holes, 3' lengths of PVC... $7.50 each if the balls are free and PVC at 16 cents/ft. Slim chance getting snagged when fishing and should last forever. Now to figure out how to drill and if its possible to cut them in half....

Ryan,

I picked up 6 balls this afternoon and I'm working on the hole patterns now. I'll post some pictures after I get it figured out and set up.

I'm thinking I should be able to build a 6 foot diameter stucture with 28 "branches" for 15-16 dollars. I'll link them or stack them together so I'll need about 12 total.

Chip

Chip, are you planning to put pipes out in all directions or just one side? 3' sticking out all sides = 6' or 6' sticking out one side?

BTW an alley on the way home is willing do donate a dozen or so, too.

I use the full diameter of the ball so I can get out to about 6 feet using 1/4 sticks of pvc. I have the boys set up out in the barn working on it now. The circumference of the balls is 28" so I made some masking tape templates with 7 holes on 4 inch centers. Just stick it to the ball , turn it 90 degrees, put on the 3 other templates and you're ready for the drill press. Pre-drill with a 1/4" at about 2200 rpms then finish with a 13/16" drill at about 850 rpms to 1 inch deep. I'll have to see if the finished holes are too tight with the 13/16" bit but that was as close as I could come. I think when you do it this way you'll wind up with 26 "branches".
Chip

Chip,
Aren't you concerned about the weight of the ball bearing down? Do you have a plan to suspend the ball or are you planning on just setting the "New Year's Ball" on the bottom, supported by the extending PVC pipes? I, like Ryan, kinda dream of somehow cutting the balls in half...presumably to set them on the bottom like new wave aqua-art. There would be no stress on any of the PVC...it would wind up like a PVC reef.

Brettski,
I thought about cutting them in half and may still try it. The balls' cores are compressed wood. There's a lot of weight coming off of them from the drilling. I worry they might be bouyant rather than too heavy. If they rest on bottom I think that would be OK and give smaller fish a chance to hide under it.I stopped short of finishing my drilling on the first two because I didn't find my 13/16" bit; I'll have to get one tomorrow so I can can assemble one and try it out.
Chip

PS- A chain saw would probably cut it.

I made a new post with my experience making the "Sputnik" fish attractor here;

http://www.pondboss.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=4&t=000161

Chip