Can someone please explain...

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

I dunno Drew, I've used epoxy for years and swear by it. Nevr have I had an adventure like yours

OK, so.....as stupid as I feel asking this, maybe you can explain your technique?

[fishytime]

Which epoxy are you using. There is two kinds. One is a single stick containing both parts of the epoxy. This one REALLY sucks. As soon as it hits the water it losses all its stick. The other has the two sticks of stuff that you combine. This one works much better IME, although it to has its limitations. You may need to temporarily brace the pieces over night while the epoxy hardens.

[Carmen]

When is Red Coral getting in that 2 part epoxy? I REALLY need some!

[Drock169]

holdfast epoxy is the cheap one that comes in 1 stick, its pretty bad. Aquascape 2 part epoxy is generally pretty good. I find that the problem is usually in the consistency when its mixed up, if after a couple minutes of kneeding it, its not tacky then there is an issue with the proportions mixed up and you need to add more of one of the colours.

[Der_Iron_Chef]

The type I used last night was the first you described....the one stick. It was absolutely maddening. I have, however, used the other kind....and without great success either.

[michika]

I also agree with Drew...I too have had many interesting adventures with epoxy. I now avoid the stuff in favor of superglue. Sometimes I make a piece with epoxy that will fit perfectly on the rock and to the coral, and then I glue all three together with super glue.

[Oscar]

This is a timely thread. I just picked up my first frags over the weekend. Currently they are temporarily located on the sand but this weekend I will attach them to the LR.

I have a package of the 2 stick epoxy and some liquid epoxy which I think can only be used out of water.

There is obviously a lot of frustration with attaching frags but are there any pointers to minimize the frustration? I could use the liquid epoxy or super glue on LR that can be removed from the tank. But what is the best trick for LR that cannot be removed?

[Underwater]

Duct tape....

[Aquattro]

I use the stick with the two parts. I cut off a slice with a knife, knead it until it's all mixed, create a roll about 1.5 inches long, wrap it around the base of the frag and stuff it into a crevice or hole. It isn't supposed to be sticky and stick things to flat surfaces, it fills th espace around the hole you put the frag in and hardens in place, locking the frag in. It isn't glue. It's filler.
I just mounted 16 frags without an issue in about 10 minutes. I love this stuff.

tip. Keep your fingers wet when your kneading it, it won't stick to you that way.

[Captainhemo]

I've been using the two stick stuff, "AquaScape Construction Epoxy" for quite a while and it works quite well.
I find it works best to press the putty into the rock where you want the coral, then press the coral to the putty