how to use epoxy to glue the live rock underwater?

lastduke · 12/15/2007, 10:10 PM

I was really frastrated to design my live rocks tonight. The rock kept moving, because the tank is small , i have to use the small pieces, it is impossible to stack them without glue.

I did use the epoxy to glue the contact point , but it didn't work underwater. Anyone has the experince to use this glue underwater to glue something?

Avi · 12/15/2007, 10:46 PM

If you use an appropriate epoxy you shouldn't have too much trouble, but it helps to have some experience with having used it so you know what to expect. If you use any of the epoxies that are sold by the aquarium "catalogue" sites, that will be fine, but you can use Aquamend, that's available at Home Depot and costs a lot less, too, with complete confidence. If you want to make the odds of a good bond even more certain, use some crazy glue gel...it must be the gel...between all points of contact between the epoxy and whatever you intend to have that bond with. Also, always make sure you use an ample amount of the epoxy to assure a good connection. If you want to give pieces of live rock more stability, you a good-sized "glob" of epoxy, and where it meets each piece of rock...some of the gel. Then, press down so that there's a good amount of contact. It will harden in a way that secures the pieces of rock will not shift unless undue pressure is put on it.

demonsp · 12/16/2007, 12:08 AM

Its best to find a setup thats semi secure first then just work the epoxy together and press on the rockwork. You may need to do a few areas around the rocks. If you ahve any stock a wouldnt do all the epoxy at one time. Also a little imagination and a hammer go along way. Try and find the best piece for the center or the prime spot and work around. You could also drill a 1/2 hole in 2 pieces and use some pvc tube to attache them.

Lotus99 · 12/16/2007, 12:22 AM

I was a horrible failure first time I tried to use epoxy for gluing a coral to a rock. I wasn't using nearly enough, and wasn't being patient enough. Give it another try using a bigger piece, and you might do better

lastduke · 12/16/2007, 01:07 AM

Thanks for inputs, most of the unstable rocks are small pieces (my tank is 30G), so 1/2Â¡Â¯Â¡Â® PVC is too big for small rocks.

The question I have is , Is Epoxy the glue to be used under water? but you guy are correct, I should try the "small area" glue instead of point glue. I need more epoxy!

demonsp · 12/16/2007, 01:14 AM

This is epoxy. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...62&pcatid=3962

Blown 346 · 12/16/2007, 01:26 AM

I would avoid glueing the rock together as if you have a problem the whole setup comes out with corals and all.

It isnt impossible to aquascape without using epoxy. You just have to fit the rock in like a puzzle and interlock the rocks. Try turning them, flipping them uposide down etc, you will get them to fit securly.

lastduke · 12/16/2007, 01:27 AM

Looks like the same at least similar one .
I read the instruction, it said it can be used under water for pool or fish tank leak......... need 3 hours secure time but it doesnt' mention how long the hardness time is.

Blown 346 · 12/16/2007, 01:32 AM

totally cured will take will take up to 12 hours.

lastduke · 12/16/2007, 01:35 AM

Blown, try me man, there is a big chance you can not find a fit shape and size rock on the correct location. I have played with these 20 pieces rocks at least 3 hours with my wife. There is no way to stack them securly without gluing them.

12/15/2007, 10:10 PM	#1
lastduke Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Portland,Oregon Posts: 1,323	how to use epoxy to glue the live rock underwater? I was really frastrated to design my live rocks tonight. The rock kept moving, because the tank is small , i have to use the small pieces, it is impossible to stack them without glue. I did use the epoxy to glue the contact point , but it didn't work underwater. Anyone has the experince to use this glue underwater to glue something?

12/15/2007, 10:46 PM	#2
Avi Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Westchester County, NY Posts: 7,327	If you use an appropriate epoxy you shouldn't have too much trouble, but it helps to have some experience with having used it so you know what to expect. If you use any of the epoxies that are sold by the aquarium "catalogue" sites, that will be fine, but you can use Aquamend, that's available at Home Depot and costs a lot less, too, with complete confidence. If you want to make the odds of a good bond even more certain, use some crazy glue gel...it must be the gel...between all points of contact between the epoxy and whatever you intend to have that bond with. Also, always make sure you use an ample amount of the epoxy to assure a good connection. If you want to give pieces of live rock more stability, you a good-sized "glob" of epoxy, and where it meets each piece of rock...some of the gel. Then, press down so that there's a good amount of contact. It will harden in a way that secures the pieces of rock will not shift unless undue pressure is put on it. __________________ I'd keep the whole ocean if my den were big enough Current Tank Info: 120 gallon reef with 210 lbs. of live rock, Aqua-C EV180 Skimmer, Aquactinic double 250W MH with blue plus t5 support; 58 gallon freshwater planted tank using CO2 and T5s; 30-gallon cube with a few fancy goldfish; and a 110 gallon FOWLR

12/16/2007, 12:22 AM	#4
Lotus99 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,398	I was a horrible failure first time I tried to use epoxy for gluing a coral to a rock. I wasn't using nearly enough, and wasn't being patient enough. Give it another try using a bigger piece, and you might do better __________________ "So long, and thanks for all the fish" Current Tank Info: 125g reef, gobies, cardinals, softies and LPS; 36g Neo Nano tank; 10+ FW tanks

12/16/2007, 12:08 AM	#3
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	Its best to find a setup thats semi secure first then just work the epoxy together and press on the rockwork. You may need to do a few areas around the rocks. If you ahve any stock a wouldnt do all the epoxy at one time. Also a little imagination and a hammer go along way. Try and find the best piece for the center or the prime spot and work around. You could also drill a 1/2 hole in 2 pieces and use some pvc tube to attache them.

12/16/2007, 01:07 AM	#5
lastduke Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Portland,Oregon Posts: 1,323	Thanks for inputs, most of the unstable rocks are small pieces (my tank is 30G), so 1/2Â¡Â¯Â¡Â® PVC is too big for small rocks. The question I have is , Is Epoxy the glue to be used under water? but you guy are correct, I should try the "small area" glue instead of point glue. I need more epoxy!

12/16/2007, 01:14 AM	#6
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	This is epoxy. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...62&pcatid=3962

12/16/2007, 01:26 AM	#7
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	I would avoid glueing the rock together as if you have a problem the whole setup comes out with corals and all. It isnt impossible to aquascape without using epoxy. You just have to fit the rock in like a puzzle and interlock the rocks. Try turning them, flipping them uposide down etc, you will get them to fit securly.

12/16/2007, 01:27 AM	#8
lastduke Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Portland,Oregon Posts: 1,323	Looks like the same at least similar one . I read the instruction, it said it can be used under water for pool or fish tank leak......... need 3 hours secure time but it doesnt' mention how long the hardness time is.

12/16/2007, 01:32 AM	#9
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	totally cured will take will take up to 12 hours.

12/16/2007, 01:35 AM	#10
lastduke Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Portland,Oregon Posts: 1,323	Blown, try me man, there is a big chance you can not find a fit shape and size rock on the correct location. I have played with these 20 pieces rocks at least 3 hours with my wife. There is no way to stack them securly without gluing them.