WaterWeld Epoxy is great for securing frags

SoFloReefer · 06/07/2011, 09:01 PM

Everyone has dealt with the Red hermit crab or Mexican turbo snail cruising their tank and knocking a path of destruction as one frag after another takes a face dive into the sand bed. For years I used superglue gel with limited success. I recently bought a tube of JB Weld brand WaterWeld epoxy to try and secure my frags to the live rock structure. Overall I am impressed with the results. The epoxy sets and hardens under water and creates a solid connection between the frag and rock. I do a few things to increase the likelihood of a solid bond. I only mix as much epoxy as I can use in five minutes. I noticed that if I waited too long to use the mixed epoxy, the bond was much weaker. I also try to wipe as much algae from the frag as possible. I then role a small ball of epoxy and press the ball between the frag and live rock where the frag is to be secured. I leave my pumps off for a bit so that the epoxy has time to set. I have used half a tube of this product in my small tank with no ill results. I can tell no reaction from my wrasse, clams, or coral. Even though this has worked well, it is not successful every time. Frags have fallen off and I simply re-secure them. Second time is almost always the charm. This stuff can't be beat for it's low cost ($5) and it's availability at Home Depot. My only complaint is that when you knead its between your index finger and thumb, the remaining residue has a unpleasant odor most similar to urine. I scrub my fingers with a towel and water before the epoxy sets and it comes off.

charleneatkins · 06/08/2011, 07:54 AM

I have tried this but have been as persistant as you so that must have my problem why the frags get bump off. I will try again. I agree the residue is a pain if not taken off right away. thanks for the posting

carpenterman23 · 06/08/2011, 09:44 AM

I also use it and no problems yet..

Lynnmw1208 · 06/08/2011, 10:55 AM

+100! I got this stuff because someone else on here said they liked it and it was WAY better than the epoxies sold for the hobby. This stuff holds much better. I barely could get my frag off the rock when I had to dip for nudibranchs! it upsets my frogspawn hybrid a little but it comes back the next day.

cilyjr · 06/08/2011, 10:57 AM

I have been using water weld for well over a year. It is helpful to put a small dab of super glue gel on each side

charleneatkins · 06/08/2011, 12:37 PM

thanks for the extra tip

aleonn · 06/08/2011, 02:42 PM

This epoxy works great for me too, and is readily available at my local Home Depot. Only downside is that it's bright white, but with time the coralline and frag growth will overgrow the epoxy.

cloak · 06/08/2011, 05:47 PM

JB Waterweld, Marineland, Aquamend, PC Marine. There all the same IMO.

jbaeza83 · 07/21/2011, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aleonn

This epoxy works great for me too, and is readily available at my local Home Depot. Only downside is that it's bright white, but with time the coralline and frag growth will overgrow the epoxy.

I just used WaterWeld and acrylic rod to build up my aquascape, it worked pretty good too. Now my question is, about how long will it take to grow coraline over the epoxy?

I have a JBJ Nano 24G power compacts, lights are on about 8-9 hours a day, if that helps at all.

psychadelicdrea · 07/21/2011, 04:20 PM

shouldnt take to long....my tanks been up about 6 weeks and i have tons of coraline

adolfo425 · 07/21/2011, 04:57 PM

Waterweld is good. I have also found apoxy a modeling expoy works well its also a 2 part and can be purchased by the pound. When ordering stick with neutral or white stuff as the grey does have metal in it. you can google it and its sold and used by the art industry.

aleonn · 07/21/2011, 05:02 PM

It usually takes 4-6 weeks for corraline to color up on a dry rock in my system. For epoxy it takes a little longer, maybe 8-10 weeks.

aleonn · 07/21/2011, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adolfo425

Waterweld is good. I have also found apoxy a modeling expoy works well its also a 2 part and can be purchased by the pound. When ordering stick with neutral or white stuff as the grey does have metal in it. you can google it and its sold and used by the art industry.

I didn't know they sold modeling epoxy by the pound. Wish I knew that a while ago LOL. Water Weld, even though it's cheaper than the aquarium-branded epoxies, still adds up!

adolfo425 · 07/21/2011, 05:35 PM

Here is the link to the site you can order it from i misspelled the name of the product its Apoxie and this is the linkhttp://www.avesstudio.com/index.php?...chk=1&Itemid=1

jbaeza83 · 07/21/2011, 05:59 PM

Thank you Adolfo, I think I saw this in an different thread also. I like how you can get it in colors too. I will probably order some of this for my next project.

mcoomer · 07/21/2011, 08:45 PM

The secret formula is to make a small ball of epoxy and put a dab of super glue gel on top and bottom. Jab the frag into the gel on top and into the epoxy, forming the expoxy around the base of the frag. Crush the bottom of the expoxy ball into the live rock where you want to place the coral. Smooth the epoxy ball into the rock and the base of the frag and hold in place for a minute to allow the gel to set. The gel holds long enough to allow the epoxy to thoroughly cure on the frag and rock and it will take a hammer and chisel to get the piece off.

Mike

Mindflux · 08/13/2011, 05:50 PM

The bond seems too weak to me. I even "sandwich" the epoxy between big globs of superglue and it always comes up from the LR way easy. :/

chatyak · 02/18/2012, 07:41 PM

Is my J-B Stik safe to use as well? Please see here: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...php?p=19899387

It isn't the "waterweld" version, but just J-B STIK Weld... and says it's safe for drinking water... but I don't know about securing frags.

allendavant · 02/18/2012, 11:43 PM

This is what I use too. I like it a lot! I often use in in conjunction with super glue gel.

Daddie05 · 02/13/2014, 02:14 AM

Glad I found this thread. Ordering some water weld now from Amazon. Should I get the marine or the regular one? Both work under water apparently.

06/07/2011, 09:01 PM	#1
SoFloReefer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: West Palm Beach Posts: 712	WaterWeld Epoxy is great for securing frags Everyone has dealt with the Red hermit crab or Mexican turbo snail cruising their tank and knocking a path of destruction as one frag after another takes a face dive into the sand bed. For years I used superglue gel with limited success. I recently bought a tube of JB Weld brand WaterWeld epoxy to try and secure my frags to the live rock structure. Overall I am impressed with the results. The epoxy sets and hardens under water and creates a solid connection between the frag and rock. I do a few things to increase the likelihood of a solid bond. I only mix as much epoxy as I can use in five minutes. I noticed that if I waited too long to use the mixed epoxy, the bond was much weaker. I also try to wipe as much algae from the frag as possible. I then role a small ball of epoxy and press the ball between the frag and live rock where the frag is to be secured. I leave my pumps off for a bit so that the epoxy has time to set. I have used half a tube of this product in my small tank with no ill results. I can tell no reaction from my wrasse, clams, or coral. Even though this has worked well, it is not successful every time. Frags have fallen off and I simply re-secure them. Second time is almost always the charm. This stuff can't be beat for it's low cost ($5) and it's availability at Home Depot. My only complaint is that when you knead its between your index finger and thumb, the remaining residue has a unpleasant odor most similar to urine. I scrub my fingers with a towel and water before the epoxy sets and it comes off. __________________ 40 breeder Zoanthid and Ricordea dominated tank with LED lighting.

06/08/2011, 07:54 AM	#2
charleneatkins Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: andover ct 06232 Posts: 1,819	I have tried this but have been as persistant as you so that must have my problem why the frags get bump off. I will try again. I agree the residue is a pain if not taken off right away. thanks for the posting __________________ Hope keeps things alive and looking forward Current Tank Info: 28,55 & 90g mixed reef,10G FW

06/08/2011, 10:55 AM	#4
Lynnmw1208 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Brunswick, Ohio Posts: 3,306	+100! I got this stuff because someone else on here said they liked it and it was WAY better than the epoxies sold for the hobby. This stuff holds much better. I barely could get my frag off the rock when I had to dip for nudibranchs! it upsets my frogspawn hybrid a little but it comes back the next day. __________________ equipment: Eshopps psk-200 skimmer, Mag 12 pump, 30gal sump, 2x 300w Finnex heaters, glass-holes 1500gph overflow kit with 3/4" return kits, 72" 8x36w t-5 AquaticLife light, 66lbs of LR, 150lbs of tropic eden reeflakes, 2 Koralia Evo 1400, JBJ ATO, BRS dual GFO/carbon reactors, Hydor smartwave Current Tank Info: 125gallon

06/08/2011, 10:57 AM	#5
cilyjr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 1,683	I have been using water weld for well over a year. It is helpful to put a small dab of super glue gel on each side __________________ Cls Current Tank Info: 180 inwall, 75 sump, 20lfrag, 3x lumen max elite w/250w radium 20k, recirc modded asm g-3, aqua controller apex,2x rw-20, 350lbs LR

06/08/2011, 12:37 PM	#6
charleneatkins Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: andover ct 06232 Posts: 1,819	thanks for the extra tip __________________ Hope keeps things alive and looking forward Current Tank Info: 28,55 & 90g mixed reef,10G FW

06/08/2011, 09:44 AM	#3
carpenterman23 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 181	I also use it and no problems yet..

06/08/2011, 02:42 PM	#7
aleonn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 4,041	This epoxy works great for me too, and is readily available at my local Home Depot. Only downside is that it's bright white, but with time the coralline and frag growth will overgrow the epoxy.

06/08/2011, 05:47 PM	#8
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	JB Waterweld, Marineland, Aquamend, PC Marine. There all the same IMO.

07/21/2011, 04:20 PM	#10
psychadelicdrea Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: kansas city, MO Posts: 51	shouldnt take to long....my tanks been up about 6 weeks and i have tons of coraline

07/21/2011, 04:57 PM	#11
adolfo425 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 68	Waterweld is good. I have also found apoxy a modeling expoy works well its also a 2 part and can be purchased by the pound. When ordering stick with neutral or white stuff as the grey does have metal in it. you can google it and its sold and used by the art industry. __________________ Adolfo is the name and reefing is my game. Current Tank Info: 34 Gallon solana Mixed Reef

07/21/2011, 05:02 PM	#12
aleonn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 4,041	It usually takes 4-6 weeks for corraline to color up on a dry rock in my system. For epoxy it takes a little longer, maybe 8-10 weeks.

07/21/2011, 05:35 PM	#14
adolfo425 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 68	Here is the link to the site you can order it from i misspelled the name of the product its Apoxie and this is the linkhttp://www.avesstudio.com/index.php?...chk=1&Itemid=1 __________________ Adolfo is the name and reefing is my game. Current Tank Info: 34 Gallon solana Mixed Reef

07/21/2011, 05:59 PM	#15
jbaeza83 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Corona, CA Posts: 147	Thank you Adolfo, I think I saw this in an different thread also. I like how you can get it in colors too. I will probably order some of this for my next project.

07/21/2011, 08:45 PM	#16
mcoomer Rat Bastard! Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sammamish, WA Posts: 1,487	The secret formula is to make a small ball of epoxy and put a dab of super glue gel on top and bottom. Jab the frag into the gel on top and into the epoxy, forming the expoxy around the base of the frag. Crush the bottom of the expoxy ball into the live rock where you want to place the coral. Smooth the epoxy ball into the rock and the base of the frag and hold in place for a minute to allow the gel to set. The gel holds long enough to allow the epoxy to thoroughly cure on the frag and rock and it will take a hammer and chisel to get the piece off. Mike __________________ Spending exorbitant amounts of money on this hobby since 1998! My wife thought the tank would be cheaper and easier to keep than a dog...no seriously! Current Tank Info: 180 gallon mixed reef; Reeflo Barracuda, Tunze 6105 (X3), 250W Radiums with dual HQI Blue Wave 7, Reefkeeper Elite controller, custom sump with ASM G4, carbon and GFO reactors

08/13/2011, 05:50 PM	#17
Mindflux Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 399	The bond seems too weak to me. I even "sandwich" the epoxy between big globs of superglue and it always comes up from the LR way easy. :/

02/18/2012, 07:41 PM	#18
chatyak Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,090	Is my J-B Stik safe to use as well? Please see here: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...php?p=19899387 It isn't the "waterweld" version, but just J-B STIK Weld... and says it's safe for drinking water... but I don't know about securing frags. __________________ Fishville

02/18/2012, 11:43 PM	#19
allendavant Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 57	This is what I use too. I like it a lot! I often use in in conjunction with super glue gel.

02/13/2014, 02:14 AM	#20
Daddie05 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 53	Glad I found this thread. Ordering some water weld now from Amazon. Should I get the marine or the regular one? Both work under water apparently.

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