Epoxy

TDB · 11/19/2017, 11:19 AM

Is there a secret to using expoxy to mount coral frags inside the tank underwater ? I am having issue getting them to stay attached

billdogg · 11/19/2017, 11:28 AM

I use JB Waterweld and (pick a brand) SuperGlue Gel.

Mix up enough JB WW for the job, then divide in half. Mash the first half into the rock where you want to place the frag. Press the frag into the other half, then remove it. Put a drop or two of SG in the depression left by the frag and put frag back in place. Put another couple drops of SS on the base of the frag/JB WW combo and then mash it all into the other half of the JB WW already in place on the rock. You may have to hold it for a few seconds to allow it to set, then let it fly, be free.

Volcmreefer · 11/19/2017, 11:14 PM

Tunze Coral Gum works great for me if you don’t mind the cost. The little tube should last you a while unless you have a bunch of gluing to do.

nanosteve309 · 11/20/2017, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billdogg

I use JB Waterweld and (pick a brand) SuperGlue Gel.

Mix up enough JB WW for the job, then divide in half. Mash the first half into the rock where you want to place the frag. Press the frag into the other half, then remove it. Put a drop or two of SG in the depression left by the frag and put frag back in place. Put another couple drops of SS on the base of the frag/JB WW combo and then mash it all into the other half of the JB WW already in place on the rock. You may have to hold it for a few seconds to allow it to set, then let it fly, be free.

^ +1

Keyword there is Gel! Make sure the superglue you use is Gel based.

RobZilla04 · 11/20/2017, 07:43 AM

The reef safe super glue from my LFS works well. You just have to hold them steady for a minute or two. Helps if you turn off the flow while placing new frags.

JTL · 11/20/2017, 09:14 AM

Dollar Store, 2 tubes for a buck

smatter · 11/20/2017, 09:19 AM

The superglue/epoxy recipe above works great. I second the Tunze Coral Gum. It comes in two separate containers rather than usual sausage form. It cures quickly and has more stickiness to it than other epoxy I have used so in most cases I don't need the superglue anymore. The best part about it is that it doesn't make your skimmer overflow for hours.

braappn · 11/20/2017, 10:56 AM

I am also new to using superglue underwater, and have learned to turn my pumps off when doing so. If a little bit of uncured super glue gets away from you it will float. You can grab it easy if pumps are off but with pumps on I had some get into my overflow.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

EMeyer · 11/20/2017, 12:19 PM

I always read about this putty + superglue + putty sandwich approach. Doesnt that end up with a huge thick layer of putty and glue under the coral?

Super glue gel from the dollar store is all I use. Typically you can get frags attached with a pretty thin, barely visible layer of glue in this way.

hkgar · 11/20/2017, 01:59 PM

frome top on down - super glue, epoxy, super glue.

NS Mike D · 11/21/2017, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EMeyer

I always read about this putty + superglue + putty sandwich approach. Doesnt that end up with a huge thick layer of putty and glue under the coral?

Super glue gel from the dollar store is all I use. Typically you can get frags attached with a pretty thin, barely visible layer of glue in this way.

trim the plug so that the base of plug sits close to the rock. Also I roll the epoxy into a thin bead and wrap it around the edge of the plug and then under. I find doing this uses less epoxy, creates a more natural look and creates more surface area to hold the plug in place

11/19/2017, 11:19 AM	#1
TDB Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Hockley TX Posts: 73	Epoxy Is there a secret to using expoxy to mount coral frags inside the tank underwater ? I am having issue getting them to stay attached __________________ 100 gallon mixed reef show tank Started 1-1-17 40 gallon cube all in one mixed reef tank 2-12-16

11/19/2017, 11:28 AM	#2
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I use JB Waterweld and (pick a brand) SuperGlue Gel. Mix up enough JB WW for the job, then divide in half. Mash the first half into the rock where you want to place the frag. Press the frag into the other half, then remove it. Put a drop or two of SG in the depression left by the frag and put frag back in place. Put another couple drops of SS on the base of the frag/JB WW combo and then mash it all into the other half of the JB WW already in place on the rock. You may have to hold it for a few seconds to allow it to set, then let it fly, be free. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

11/20/2017, 07:43 AM	#5
RobZilla04 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: St. Augustine, FL Posts: 1,857	The reef safe super glue from my LFS works well. You just have to hold them steady for a minute or two. Helps if you turn off the flow while placing new frags. __________________ 90g Mixed Reef

11/20/2017, 09:14 AM	#6
JTL Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Venice Island, FL Posts: 2,532	Dollar Store, 2 tubes for a buck __________________ John 100 gallon DT and 50 gallon sump with refugium. Reefbreeders Photon V2+.

11/20/2017, 01:59 PM	#10
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	frome top on down - super glue, epoxy, super glue. __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

11/19/2017, 11:14 PM	#3
Volcmreefer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Milton, FL Posts: 346	Tunze Coral Gum works great for me if you don’t mind the cost. The little tube should last you a while unless you have a bunch of gluing to do.

11/20/2017, 09:19 AM	#7
smatter Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 2,055	The superglue/epoxy recipe above works great. I second the Tunze Coral Gum. It comes in two separate containers rather than usual sausage form. It cures quickly and has more stickiness to it than other epoxy I have used so in most cases I don't need the superglue anymore. The best part about it is that it doesn't make your skimmer overflow for hours.

11/20/2017, 10:56 AM	#8
braappn Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Colorado Posts: 18	I am also new to using superglue underwater, and have learned to turn my pumps off when doing so. If a little bit of uncured super glue gets away from you it will float. You can grab it easy if pumps are off but with pumps on I had some get into my overflow. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

11/20/2017, 12:19 PM	#9
EMeyer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 173	I always read about this putty + superglue + putty sandwich approach. Doesnt that end up with a huge thick layer of putty and glue under the coral? Super glue gel from the dollar store is all I use. Typically you can get frags attached with a pretty thin, barely visible layer of glue in this way.