Is there a 'reef-safe' dye you can add to two-part epoxy putty for mounting frags?

mille239 · 10/16/2008, 06:49 AM

I was wondering if there is some sort of reef-safe dye you could add to the two-part epoxy putty you use for mounting frags, in order to try and match the color to your rocks a little better.

Something you could add a couple drops of while mixing it, which would not affect the system, nor the integrity of the epoxy once hardened.

(I know they make 'coralline pink' epoxy, but it's not quite there)

landlord · 10/16/2008, 07:00 AM

Grind up some encrusted liverock rubble just before making the frag. Then after mounting sprinkle it around the putty. Almost like dipping battered chicken in breadcrumbs. It might get you a bit closer to the look of your rock.

I have not heard of a dye that does this myself.

Good Luck

soccerbag · 10/16/2008, 07:12 AM

Like landlord's idea. Have not tried that. If you have a lot of cralline, you can try Tunze epoxy. They have a formula that will dry a pinkish color. This, to me, is more appealing than the white stuff.

mille239 · 10/16/2008, 07:13 AM

That's a good idea Landlord! Maybe even collect coralline algae scrapings, and press it into the epoxy ball before mounting. It might hasten the growth of the coralline on the epoxy as well.

landlord · 10/16/2008, 07:16 AM

It just came to me!

I was actually thinking about Donut Holes from DunkinDonuts the kind with the stuff rolled around them, not the coconut shavings though!

num num num

LobsterOfJustice · 10/16/2008, 07:18 AM

Food coloring is probably safe.

mrkalel · 10/16/2008, 08:48 AM

I know you probably need something right now, but I have always used AquaScape Aquarium Epoxy with the red color already in it, and it works great...

mille239 · 10/16/2008, 09:04 AM

No urgency... still in the set up process for my SPS tank, just looking ahead. I've used the 'coralline colored' epoxy sold, but I'm looking for something more 'blend into the rocks' look, so mounted frags don't stand out so much prior to coralline algae encrusting the epoxy. The pink I've used looks almost like I used bubble gum to hold the frags in place. Maybe a greenish-brown.

Ok. Maybe I'm just too darn critical. It's ok, you can say it.

sikpupy · 10/16/2008, 09:50 AM

Okay, you are just too darn critical! Actually, nothing wrong with making your tank look good pronto. Then again, I am painstakingly exceedingly anal, so I really have no room to talk

.

mrkalel · 10/16/2008, 12:10 PM

You have to remember that it will get covered over by algae as well as real coralline, so it will blend in naturally over a few months....

All you have to do is shape it in a nice way...

BTW I love this "4 out of 3 people have problems with fractions."

10/16/2008, 06:49 AM	#1
mille239 Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Harrison Twp., MI Posts: 1,644	Is there a 'reef-safe' dye you can add to two-part epoxy putty for mounting frags? I was wondering if there is some sort of reef-safe dye you could add to the two-part epoxy putty you use for mounting frags, in order to try and match the color to your rocks a little better. Something you could add a couple drops of while mixing it, which would not affect the system, nor the integrity of the epoxy once hardened. (I know they make 'coralline pink' epoxy, but it's not quite there) __________________ -Blair Disclaimer: No trees were harmed in the creation of this post, though a significant number of electrons may have been inconvenienced. Current Tank Info: 120 SPS reef in progress, 120 mixed reef, currently being completely rebuilt)

10/16/2008, 07:00 AM	#2
landlord Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Alexandria, KY Posts: 1,937	Grind up some encrusted liverock rubble just before making the frag. Then after mounting sprinkle it around the putty. Almost like dipping battered chicken in breadcrumbs. It might get you a bit closer to the look of your rock. I have not heard of a dye that does this myself. Good Luck __________________ Forget the Turtle Man, you got the Coral Man Live Action Fragging! Current Tank Info: 90 Gallon SPS Reef (Sump, Fuge, Skimmer, CX reactor, Chemical filtration, Overflow) by Lifereef, 2x400W 20K Radiums on IceCaps, 2x39W T5 "For fun", RK2, 4x Tunze 6055, Aqua Logic 1/3 HP Chiller, DIY RO/DI ATO 2-Part via Litermeter. Lotsa Clownfish

10/16/2008, 07:12 AM	#3
soccerbag Chalices did this to me.. Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 970	Like landlord's idea. Have not tried that. If you have a lot of cralline, you can try Tunze epoxy. They have a formula that will dry a pinkish color. This, to me, is more appealing than the white stuff. __________________ Craig Royal Exclusiv Skimmer Club The Undisputed, Heavyweight Champion of "Can't leave well-enough alone" Please check out my Reef Website! Current Tank Info: 246g Display, 39g Frag Tank, Sfiligoi XR6, Royal Exclusiv AC 300, 2 x MP60ES Vortech's, 2-part with LMIII, Apex.

10/16/2008, 07:13 AM	#4
mille239 Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Harrison Twp., MI Posts: 1,644	That's a good idea Landlord! Maybe even collect coralline algae scrapings, and press it into the epoxy ball before mounting. It might hasten the growth of the coralline on the epoxy as well. __________________ -Blair Disclaimer: No trees were harmed in the creation of this post, though a significant number of electrons may have been inconvenienced. Current Tank Info: 120 SPS reef in progress, 120 mixed reef, currently being completely rebuilt)

10/16/2008, 07:16 AM	#5
landlord Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Alexandria, KY Posts: 1,937	It just came to me! I was actually thinking about Donut Holes from DunkinDonuts the kind with the stuff rolled around them, not the coconut shavings though! num num num __________________ Forget the Turtle Man, you got the Coral Man Live Action Fragging! Current Tank Info: 90 Gallon SPS Reef (Sump, Fuge, Skimmer, CX reactor, Chemical filtration, Overflow) by Lifereef, 2x400W 20K Radiums on IceCaps, 2x39W T5 "For fun", RK2, 4x Tunze 6055, Aqua Logic 1/3 HP Chiller, DIY RO/DI ATO 2-Part via Litermeter. Lotsa Clownfish

10/16/2008, 07:18 AM	#6
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	Food coloring is probably safe. __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles

10/16/2008, 08:48 AM	#7
mrkalel Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Long Island Posts: 614	I know you probably need something right now, but I have always used AquaScape Aquarium Epoxy with the red color already in it, and it works great... __________________ Able to spend a ridiculous amount of time staring at a fish bowl... https://twitter.com/MrKal_El https://instagram.com/mrkal_el/ Current Tank Info: Oceanic 144 Gal Half-Circle Display / AGA 72 Gal Bow-Front Fuge / Oceanic 60 Gal Sump 3 / ReeFlo Hammerhead Return / AquaC EV-240 Skimmer w. Mag 18 / Basement Sump & Fuge / 4 Reefbreeders Supernova's

10/16/2008, 09:04 AM	#8
mille239 Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Harrison Twp., MI Posts: 1,644	No urgency... still in the set up process for my SPS tank, just looking ahead. I've used the 'coralline colored' epoxy sold, but I'm looking for something more 'blend into the rocks' look, so mounted frags don't stand out so much prior to coralline algae encrusting the epoxy. The pink I've used looks almost like I used bubble gum to hold the frags in place. Maybe a greenish-brown. Ok. Maybe I'm just too darn critical. It's ok, you can say it. __________________ -Blair Disclaimer: No trees were harmed in the creation of this post, though a significant number of electrons may have been inconvenienced. Current Tank Info: 120 SPS reef in progress, 120 mixed reef, currently being completely rebuilt)

10/16/2008, 09:50 AM	#9
sikpupy Moved On Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,431	Okay, you are just too darn critical! Actually, nothing wrong with making your tank look good pronto. Then again, I am painstakingly exceedingly anal, so I really have no room to talk .

10/16/2008, 12:10 PM	#10
mrkalel Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Long Island Posts: 614	You have to remember that it will get covered over by algae as well as real coralline, so it will blend in naturally over a few months.... All you have to do is shape it in a nice way... BTW I love this "4 out of 3 people have problems with fractions." __________________ Able to spend a ridiculous amount of time staring at a fish bowl... https://twitter.com/MrKal_El https://instagram.com/mrkal_el/ Current Tank Info: Oceanic 144 Gal Half-Circle Display / AGA 72 Gal Bow-Front Fuge / Oceanic 60 Gal Sump 3 / ReeFlo Hammerhead Return / AquaC EV-240 Skimmer w. Mag 18 / Basement Sump & Fuge / 4 Reefbreeders Supernova's