I hate epoxy!! I need glue help.

[StephLionfish]

It's crap! It's hard to mold, and doesn't stick to anything wet or dry.

Anyways, is there any glue I can use underwater to glue frags to rocks that I can't remove from the tank? Thanks to a pistol shrimp, I can't leave anything unattached in the tank..

[Crooke]

I, too, disliked using epoxy until I came across another reefer's trick (apologies for not being able to recall who it was and paying due credit).

Anyhow, make a small ball of epoxy and apply two dots of super glue gel to either side - one for the frag and one for the rock. Then press the frag into the glue and press the whole thing, opposite gel-dot side down, onto your rock. The gel will hold everything together while the epoxy cures and forms a nice mold.

Edit: Here's the original thread http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...ght=mount+frag

[greech]

I gave up on putty a long time ago. I used to mix superglue gel and putty but I didn't like that either. I solely use super glue Gel from the dollar store. You get 3 tubes for a $1 and its good and thick. I literally buy the entire peg (usually by the registers) for $12. Even if its a big frag or rock I just pour on the glue and hold it. It's fast and it doesn't show nearly as bad as putty.

[DRTutoki]

That the only thing i use, use gloves, put some on both ends, it forms a film on it when it contacts water, hold in place like thirty seconds. holds well , but not where you cant remove, and coraline seems to cover it quickly.

[sporto0]

You have to be patient with epoxy, it takes 30-40 minutes to set, it works fantastic, I've had super glue gel cloud my tank before, no harm, but it scared the living $%IT out of me. Make sure you use enough epoxy to give yourself leeway.

[Lynnmw1208]

I find the hobby-grade epoxy doesn't work as well as the kind you find in the hardware store. I use JB waterweld and it works pretty well. The only thing it wouldn't hold was my monti frag so I just put the epoxy on the rock, put a dab of superglue gel on the monti, and pressed lightly down and twisted a bit. I tried the kind from instant ocean and i could get nothing to stick. takes about 15 minutes to set and 30 or 60 min to cure I don't remember.

[murfman]

This is what I use. If I am having issues gluing, I will use super glue gel as mentioned above. Be careful putting corals directly into epoxy, the epoxy heats up and can kill the coral. You should use the epoxy to glue frag plugs or rocks.

http://www.loctiteproducts.com/p/epx...ti-Purpose.htm

[FishAddict87]

I'm not trying to highjack sorry and this may be a stupid question but when you say that the epoxy needs to cure...can that happen in the display tank or do you use a separate tank? And do you keep the rock out of water while waiting for the epoxy to dry?

[laugh]

Originally Posted by StephLionfish

Thanks to a pistol shrimp, I can't leave anything unattached in the tank..

Haha I have the same problem. Little bugger can move stuff three times his size. I use the epoxy superglue combo and it works well, the superglue holds the epoxy in place until it cures. Just be careful where you glue stuff if your pistol is a bulldozer like mine he can heap the sand high and bury stuff.

[sporto0]

Originally Posted by FishAddict87

I'm not trying to highjack sorry and this may be a stupid question but when you say that the epoxy needs to cure...can that happen in the display tank or do you use a separate tank? And do you keep the rock out of water while waiting for the epoxy to dry?

This happens underwater in your display tank. It can be a little frustrating if you do not use enough epoxy, I tend to use a little more than I think I will need, makes it easier to shape, mold & hold.

[mbg75]

I use IC gel for glueing down frags...put some on the frag, touch it to where u want it, wiggle it then hold for 10-15 seconds. Good to go!

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[rabbitfishy]

If you are good with your hands I would suggest drilling holes in your rocks and attaching rods to the bottom of your corals using poxy. This way you place your corals into your rocks like puzzle pieces. The advantage is that they will be 100% secure and are able to move them around if you wish to redecorate.

[StephLionfish]

Originally Posted by rabbitfishy

If you are good with your hands I would suggest drilling holes in your rocks and attaching rods to the bottom of your corals using poxy. This way you place your corals into your rocks like puzzle pieces. The advantage is that they will be 100% secure and are able to move them around if you wish to redecorate.

The rocks are in the tank, and I can't get them out...

Thanks everybody for the responses! But, just to be sure.. I do all of this underwater? That's my problem..

[mbg75]

IC gel u put on the frag out of water, then touch it to the rock underwater...

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[laugh]

Originally Posted by StephLionfish

The rocks are in the tank, and I can't get them out...

Thanks everybody for the responses! But, just to be sure.. I do all of this underwater? That's my problem..

Sort of. With the glue epoxy combo I mix the epoxy then put a dab of glue on the frag then put a ball of epoxy on that more glue on the epoxy then into the tank and squish in place where ever you want it. The glue really helps the epoxy stick until it cures and the epoxy molds to the shape of the frag and the rock giving the glue better contact. It's like a symbiotic relationship.