Recommended underwater epoxy?

Dez · #1 08-05-2009, 09:41 PM

Hi,

I'm just wondering what you guys can recommend for underwater putty/epoxy that is reef safe for putting frag plugs in the display so that fish/snails/hermits don't knock them over. Also for putty-ing rocks together. I'm planning ahead in case I can't get it locally to give me lead time in ordering.

I have experience with AquaStik but that stuff doesn't stick very well.

I know crazy glue gel works but you can't really stick a tube in underwater to bond rocks together or glue a mounted frag on a plug down.

Thanks in advance for the advice.

Des

kien · #2 08-05-2009, 09:49 PM

I use a combination of crazy glue gel (loclite that you can get at home depot) and Aquamend epoxy from home depot or MEC. You can use the "reef epoxy" like the ones from Tailor Maid too but it is more expensive! Ya, I found that epoxy alone does not stick very well unless you're sticking to something very very porous where the epoxy can get into nooks and crannies. I've used a lot of different epoxies and they all behave the same. They aren't really meant to glue things together I don't think. More like bonding things together where the epoxy has a chance to hold onto two pieces that are porous. Or you create a brace with your epoxy by wrapping it or molding it around two pieces (like live rock). Anyway, That's where the crazy glue gel comes in. This is what I do, I make up a bit of epoxy that I want to use into a ball. I put some crazy glue onto the frag and stick the ball of epoxy onto the crazy glue. This bonds the epoxy to the frag much better. I then put some crazy glue gel onto the epoxy bit that will stick onto the live rock. Then jam the frag and crazy glued epoxy onto your live rock. Hold for a few seconds to let it set. The whole thing will cure underwater just fine. The crazy glue gel holds its form even when wet and does not drip and ooze everywhere. Oh, and like any gluing task, make sure both your surfaces are clean from debris, otherwise even crazy glue will have bonding issues.

K.

sphelps · #3 08-05-2009, 10:24 PM

I also use a combination of "crazy glue" and epoxy but I use the reef stuff. The reef glue is actually cheaper than crazy glue, you get way more for about the same price, from what I've seen anyway. And the epoxy isn't too bad either plus it comes in purple and you know it's 100% safe (glue is also available in purple). This is what I use:

Plug/rock - glue - epoxy - glue - coral

HTH

Dez · #4 08-05-2009, 10:44 PM

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I will have to use the crazy glue in combo with the reef epoxy. Do you find the skimmer goes crazy with using the epoxy? Mine does.

kien · #5 08-05-2009, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dez

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I will have to use the crazy glue in combo with the reef epoxy. Do you find the skimmer goes crazy with using the epoxy? Mine does.

What do you mean by crazy? Like it decides to take its own collection cup off in disgust, or does it spit water at you?

I haven't noticed any issues using epoxy and there is a lot of epoxy in my tank(s) :-)

K.

Dez · #6 08-05-2009, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kien

What do you mean by crazy? Like it decides to take its own collection cup off in disgust, or does it spit water at you?

I haven't noticed any issues using epoxy and there is a lot of epoxy in my tank(s) :-)

K.

No it just foams like crazy for a bit, then settles down, ends up flooding the collection cup.

Myka · #7 08-06-2009, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphelps

I also use a combination of "crazy glue" and epoxy but I use the reef stuff. This is what I use:

Plug/rock - glue - epoxy - glue - coral

HTH

Me too, except I prefer the grey version of the epoxy, and the clear version of the glue.

fishytime · #8 08-06-2009, 01:01 AM

Which epoxy have you been using that makes your skimmer overflow? Ive heard that some brands have a tendency to set some skimmers off. My favorite is DDs pink..... super sticky....but still has its limitations.....one thing about it is, it takes forever to cure.....Tailored Aquatics brand cures super fast but isnt that sticky......hmmmm I wonder if you can mix the two of them.

Myka · #9 08-06-2009, 01:46 AM

The Boston Aquatics Reef epoxy is the perfect mix Doug.

I agree Tailored Aquatics isn't very sticky.

DD would be my second choice, but it is def a PITA that it dries so slow. The Boston Aquatics one cures so fast it's a PITA sometimes though. I like to mix up a whole lot of it, and let it sit there, and I will pick off what I need for each frag/coral. Well, I wasted half of one of the big tubes of it the first time!!!