Reef Glue

dante7921 · 01/17/2008, 08:38 PM

The wife and I are getting frustrated with our reef set up. We've been reading and now are going to try a reef glue to attach our hard corals and live rock.

Can anyone recommend a good (safe) reef glue for us to use?

All we have are:

Two clowns (true)
1 Pygmy Angel
1 Hippo Tang
2 Cromis
Live Rock
Gorgonian
Cabbage Coral
Crocea Clam
Orange Cup Coral

Much appreciation to RC!

Thanks a million, you are all the best!

Capt_Cully · 01/17/2008, 08:43 PM

I like Holdfast. After you mix it around, when it turns white, I put a bit of superglue Gel (must be gel) on either side of it. Once you dip it under the water it will stick to whatever you want. It will harden in time and be quite solid.

http://www.marineland.com/products/asi/holdfast.asp

reefnetworth · 01/17/2008, 08:51 PM

100% pure cyanoacrylate gel, commonly known as super glue gel. check the ingredients list on the lable, it should be this one ingredient only.
i have used it for years, it works great. i apply a generous amount when attaching an SPS, to my rock, i twist it slightly back and forth until the glue sets. it should take about 15 seconds underwater. good luck!

frags75 · 01/17/2008, 10:18 PM

IC gel or Zap gel. Works great and a little cheaper than the little tiny tubes of super glue. Most online vendors have some type of large tube or bottle.

ReefHog · 01/18/2008, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by reefnetworth
100% pure cyanoacrylate gel, commonly known as super glue gel. check the ingredients list on the lable, it should be this one ingredient only.
i have used it for years, it works great. i apply a generous amount when attaching an SPS, to my rock, i twist it slightly back and forth until the glue sets. it should take about 15 seconds underwater. good luck!

Do you hjave to remove the rock you are attaching the coral to or can you squeeze some out on to the rock under water? I have a decent size gorgonian I want to attach to a large rock. I will not be able to remove the rock. I'm usually not too concerned and just wedge the piece into a crevis but the gorgonian is a little top heavy.

Art

pucho37 · 01/18/2008, 12:23 AM

I use loc-tite gel and it works great but to prevent anything,before attach my frags to the rocks i put the frags in a plastic bowl for a couple of minutes with a small amount of water of my tank, just enought to cover the frags and then returned the frags to the main tank.

Harley-J · 01/18/2008, 12:32 AM

I use loc-tite gel as well, works great...for rock to rock it is good to place on both pieces..and as reefnetworth was saying, just twist slightly back and forth till you feel in hardening...try not to use to much, cause it does stay pure white for awhile...

ReefHog · 01/18/2008, 09:04 AM

But can you squeeze it onto the rockwork under water?

rustybucket145 · 01/18/2008, 09:08 AM

yup, you can glue underwater. I get mine at the dollar store and save a bunch of money.

It's kinda tricky learning how to use it so I'd suggest practicing on a couple of small rocks first. If you mess up you can easily pop the glue off with a fingernail when it dries. Also, you will get some on your hands/fingernails. Just let it dry underwater and it will easily peel off. Superglue gel isn't as volatile as regular superglue, ie, you won't glue your fingers together

.

Just practice a little with it and you'll get good at it. I clean the rock first by rubbing it with my finger and basting it off with a turkey baster to make sure you have a clean surface to glue to.

01/17/2008, 08:38 PM	#1
dante7921 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Harrisburg, Pa. Posts: 97	Reef Glue The wife and I are getting frustrated with our reef set up. We've been reading and now are going to try a reef glue to attach our hard corals and live rock. Can anyone recommend a good (safe) reef glue for us to use? All we have are: Two clowns (true) 1 Pygmy Angel 1 Hippo Tang 2 Cromis Live Rock Gorgonian Cabbage Coral Crocea Clam Orange Cup Coral Much appreciation to RC! Thanks a million, you are all the best!

01/17/2008, 08:43 PM	#2
Capt_Cully Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 13,574	I like Holdfast. After you mix it around, when it turns white, I put a bit of superglue Gel (must be gel) on either side of it. Once you dip it under the water it will stick to whatever you want. It will harden in time and be quite solid. http://www.marineland.com/products/asi/holdfast.asp __________________ People say cars are a bad investment. Those people don't have reef tanks. Current Tank Info: 120, Radion Gen 2 Pro x 2

01/17/2008, 08:51 PM	#3
reefnetworth Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 3,810	100% pure cyanoacrylate gel, commonly known as super glue gel. check the ingredients list on the lable, it should be this one ingredient only. i have used it for years, it works great. i apply a generous amount when attaching an SPS, to my rock, i twist it slightly back and forth until the glue sets. it should take about 15 seconds underwater. good luck! __________________ GIVE A MAN A FISH, YOU FEED HIM FOR A DAY. TEACH A MAN TO FISH, HE FEEDS HIMSELF FOR LIFE. (NEVER, underestimate another man's greed) Current Tank Info: SPS dominated barebottom display with BB sump since 2005, most consistant parameters in 19+ years of reefkeeping.

01/18/2008, 12:32 AM	#7
Harley-J Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Santa Clarita Posts: 1,068	I use loc-tite gel as well, works great...for rock to rock it is good to place on both pieces..and as reefnetworth was saying, just twist slightly back and forth till you feel in hardening...try not to use to much, cause it does stay pure white for awhile... __________________ "OUCH...another Halide burn!!" Current Tank Info: sold..135g mixed reef, 40g sump, SS Dual & SS Single Ballasts, 3 LumenMax Elites, 20k Radiums, Ozotech 200mg Ozonizer, Milwaukee Orp Controller, EV180 w/Eheim 1260, Pinpoint PH, Litermeter3, Tunze Osmolator, 2xTunze 6100, Tunze 6060, JBJ 1/5 Chiller

01/18/2008, 09:08 AM	#9
rustybucket145 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: valdosta, ga Posts: 3,707	yup, you can glue underwater. I get mine at the dollar store and save a bunch of money. It's kinda tricky learning how to use it so I'd suggest practicing on a couple of small rocks first. If you mess up you can easily pop the glue off with a fingernail when it dries. Also, you will get some on your hands/fingernails. Just let it dry underwater and it will easily peel off. Superglue gel isn't as volatile as regular superglue, ie, you won't glue your fingers together . Just practice a little with it and you'll get good at it. I clean the rock first by rubbing it with my finger and basting it off with a turkey baster to make sure you have a clean surface to glue to. __________________ 400gals of various tanks in the same system. Current Tank Info: 2 175w MH, 2 VH0 Actinics, Lots of Live Rock, tons of copepods, a Fat Mandarin Goby, Niger Trigger, Yellow Tang, Falco Hawkfish, Bi-Color Pseudo, numerous soft, SPS and LPS Corals

01/17/2008, 10:18 PM	#4
frags75 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Suburbia Posts: 275	IC gel or Zap gel. Works great and a little cheaper than the little tiny tubes of super glue. Most online vendors have some type of large tube or bottle.

01/18/2008, 12:23 AM	#6
pucho37 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 6	I use loc-tite gel and it works great but to prevent anything,before attach my frags to the rocks i put the frags in a plastic bowl for a couple of minutes with a small amount of water of my tank, just enought to cover the frags and then returned the frags to the main tank.

01/18/2008, 09:04 AM	#8
ReefHog Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Posts: 118	But can you squeeze it onto the rockwork under water?