Gel Super Glue question

A.VOID · 03/14/2008, 12:27 PM

When I glue my frag with super glue gel, do I have to take the rock out of the tank or can I just put glue on the frag and quickly glue it in the water and onto the rock already in the water?

I read people saying that the glue hardens when it hits the water, but ...

IslandCrow · 03/14/2008, 01:30 PM

It's definitely easier to glue the frag with the rock out of the water, but you can certainly glue it underwater as well. As soon as the superglue touches the water, it's going to form a "skin". Beneath that skin, the glue is still liquid. So, what you have to do is press the frag down firmly on the surface you want to glue it to and give it about a quarter twist. This should break that skin and allow the superglue to stick to the rock. Hold it in place for a couple minutes to make sure it sets. It takes a little practice, but it can certainly be done.

rlm2005 · 03/14/2008, 01:52 PM

Islandcrow is right you can do it both ways. I've just found it to be easier to glue out of the water, plus I don't have the fish coming up to see what it going on.

Aquarist007 · 03/14/2008, 02:21 PM

I found that you can stir the glue under water also and let it get almost snot like then use it --you don't have to hold the two pieces very long

Agu · 03/14/2008, 02:34 PM

Just a heads up that a curious fish may nip at freash super glue and glue it's mouth shut. I've seen one report here of that happening

rlm2005 · 03/14/2008, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Agu
Just a heads up that a curious fish may nip at freash super glue and glue it's mouth shut. I've seen one report here of that happening

Yep, ever since I read that I am pretty careful with gluing my frags.

IslandCrow · 03/15/2008, 11:00 AM

I have had my clownfish take a bite at the superglue. . .fortunately, she didn't glue her mouth shut, but she had me worried. You just have to be careful. There is another trick you can try if you can't get the rock out of the water (most of my rocks are pretty big). Glue the frag to a piece of rock rubble. Then, use epoxy putty to cement the rock rubble (with frag) to the main rock. After awhile, the epoxy will get encrusted with coraline and blend into the rest of the rock.

A.VOID · 03/15/2008, 11:24 AM

Which epoxy do I want?

IslandCrow · 03/16/2008, 11:23 AM

They sell it in sticks at just about any LFS, but if you want to save money, you can buy a product called Aquamend. It can generally be found at Home Depot, and is usually in the paint section. There are other suitable products sold at hardware stores, but I can't remember the names of most of the ones I've used. My favorite (and ironically the cheapest) is the Ace brand 2-part waterproof epoxy putty. It's blue on the outside and white on the inside if I remember correctly.

mg426 · 03/16/2008, 12:16 PM

I have used the ACE brand several times and found it to work pretty darn well.

03/14/2008, 12:27 PM	#1
A.VOID Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Columbus Posts: 985	Gel Super Glue question When I glue my frag with super glue gel, do I have to take the rock out of the tank or can I just put glue on the frag and quickly glue it in the water and onto the rock already in the water? I read people saying that the glue hardens when it hits the water, but ...

03/14/2008, 01:30 PM	#2
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	It's definitely easier to glue the frag with the rock out of the water, but you can certainly glue it underwater as well. As soon as the superglue touches the water, it's going to form a "skin". Beneath that skin, the glue is still liquid. So, what you have to do is press the frag down firmly on the surface you want to glue it to and give it about a quarter twist. This should break that skin and allow the superglue to stick to the rock. Hold it in place for a couple minutes to make sure it sets. It takes a little practice, but it can certainly be done. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

03/14/2008, 02:21 PM	#4
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	I found that you can stir the glue under water also and let it get almost snot like then use it --you don't have to hold the two pieces very long __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

03/14/2008, 02:34 PM	#5
Agu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 30,279	Just a heads up that a curious fish may nip at freash super glue and glue it's mouth shut. I've seen one report here of that happening __________________ Less technology , more biology . Current Tank Info: 30 gallon half cube and 5.5, both reef tanks

03/15/2008, 11:00 AM	#7
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	I have had my clownfish take a bite at the superglue. . .fortunately, she didn't glue her mouth shut, but she had me worried. You just have to be careful. There is another trick you can try if you can't get the rock out of the water (most of my rocks are pretty big). Glue the frag to a piece of rock rubble. Then, use epoxy putty to cement the rock rubble (with frag) to the main rock. After awhile, the epoxy will get encrusted with coraline and blend into the rest of the rock. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

03/14/2008, 01:52 PM	#3
rlm2005 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: San Diego Area Posts: 432	Islandcrow is right you can do it both ways. I've just found it to be easier to glue out of the water, plus I don't have the fish coming up to see what it going on.

03/15/2008, 11:24 AM	#8
A.VOID Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Columbus Posts: 985	Which epoxy do I want?

03/16/2008, 11:23 AM	#9
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	They sell it in sticks at just about any LFS, but if you want to save money, you can buy a product called Aquamend. It can generally be found at Home Depot, and is usually in the paint section. There are other suitable products sold at hardware stores, but I can't remember the names of most of the ones I've used. My favorite (and ironically the cheapest) is the Ace brand 2-part waterproof epoxy putty. It's blue on the outside and white on the inside if I remember correctly. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

03/16/2008, 12:16 PM	#10
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	I have used the ACE brand several times and found it to work pretty darn well. __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt