How to use epoxy?

[CyanoMagnet]

I just purchased some marine grade epoxy. I read the instructions in the back read it dries within 30 minutes.

Now I know I should not have my sps out of the water that long.

How do you guys use this product to fasten sps to rocks?

[areze]

you use it underwater... it takes 30minutes to fully harden, true. but it should be able to hold the coral in the meantime.

cut down flow if that is a problem, us something to prop it up if its leaning way off balance.

[landlord]

I don't know about everyone else but here is my method. Assuming we are talking about the stuff that is like a 2-colored Tootsie Roll

1. Cut off a small piece and mix with slightly wet fingers (tends not to stick when fingers are wet).
2. Shape it into the shape of the head of a golf tee.
3. Let it rest for a minute or so to slightly harden.
4. Put a drop or two of cyanoacrylate (superglue) gel onto the head of the tee, where the golf ball would go...
5. Attach the frag (I blow on the end to be glued to help dry it out) to the tee shaped piece of epoxy.
6. Put some cyanoacrylate glue onto the other end of the tee (side to be glued to rock.
7. Push the whole assembly into place (this is the only step done under the water).

Sometimes I omit step six if the place I want the frag on the liverock has enough cracks / holes / imperfection, etc. The epoxy kind of sticks itself into place in situations like this.

Hope that helps --landlord


EDIT - This took me some practive to get the hang of it. I pretty much destroyed a GARF Bonsai frag on my first try of the above method. Sometimes the epoxy is just to loose to work with after mixing and needs to set up a bit. You may find yourself puting a tiny frag into a huge blob trying to get it to stick and it never wants to stay put.

[CyanoMagnet]

Thanks for the answers.

One more question. What if I change my mind and want to remove the frag after the epoxy hardens after a few days.

Will it be easy to remove?

[landlord]

If your rockwork is secure they can usually be pryed off pretty easily. If your rockwork is precariously balanced in places (like mine) it can be more difficult without knocking the whole thing over.

[CyanoMagnet]

Ok thanks.

[CyanoMagnet]

The epoxy experiment turned into a complete and absolute fiasco.

Epoxy is all over my corals. Nothing stuck. Things fell. Waste of time and most likely hurt a few corals.

Going for idea number 2.

[ludnix]

Definately takes a bit to get used to working with it. Just be careful of your corals and try again. Remember not to disturb the epoxy until fully hardened (I recommend letting it sit with low flow for atleast five hours in the tank).

[CyanoMagnet]

The crazy glue method worked like a charm. Thanks m8.

[landlord]

Sorry if I got you all mucked up. I hope there was no permanent damage. If you're ever in or coming through the Cincinnati area shoot me a PM I'll demonstrate in person and send you home with a frag or two.

--landlord

[RBU1]

I use the same technique as Landlord. Epoxy mixed together and man does this stuff stink. Then crazy glue gel on both sides of the epoxy.

[CyanoMagnet]

Originally posted by landlord
Sorry if I got you all mucked up. I hope there was no permanent damage. If you're ever in or coming through the Cincinnati area shoot me a PM I'll demonstrate in person and send you home with a frag or two.

--landlord

NO actualy that worked great. I tried doing this without the crazy glue and thats where I ran into alot of problems.

Theres a thumb size bleach area on the base of one of the monti frags (where I pressed down with my thumb).

These are my first sps's ever so mistakes going to be made I guess.

Sometimes this hobby is so frusterating.

[Tang Salad]

I use the same Epoxy Sandwich with Superglue Bread method. Without the superglue, the epoxy has absolutely no adhesiveness.

Originally posted by CyanoMagnet

Sometimes this hobby is so frusterating.

It is. But I think far and away the most frustrating part is gluing stuff underwater. After that, it's all gravy.

[CyanoMagnet]

Originally posted by Tang Salad
I use the same Epoxy Sandwich with Superglue Bread method. Without the superglue, the epoxy has absolutely no adhesiveness.


It is. But I think far and away the most frustrating part is gluing stuff underwater. After that, it's all gravy.

Yep. I have coral I need to attach to rocks that cant be taken out of the water.. No idea how this is going to happen yet.. I have time tho.

[landlord]

Another note to remember although I have no experience with it happening is that the mixing of the epoxy causes heat to be created in the epoxy ball. I have heard that this can burn monti caps. So it may be your thumb or it could be the burn. I would stick with your gut on it being your thumb but just passing along the info.

Good Luck --landlord