Don’t despair. First of all, no, you cannot make a proper joint in wet conditions. Everything must be clean and dry or that will be the fitting that “blows” late some night.
Place a smooth rubber mat over the suction intake at the bottom of the pool. place your pail on this if you want to make sure but they usually hold in place with water pressure alone. The bread trick may help, too, but make sure it is all flushed out before pumping it into your filter!
PVC and CPVC pipe and fittings are recommended to set for 24 hrs or more depending on temperature and humidity.
Good luck.
