Epoxy to mount frags

theshaman · 11/20/2018, 02:42 PM

Hi Reefcentral! I have some pretty chunky frags that I would like to mount onto my rock work. They have grown pretty big and I don’t think superglue will be able to hold the weight.
What’s a good epoxy or putty do you guys recommend for mounting big frags to rock?

Thanks!

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neoh74 · 11/20/2018, 02:50 PM

Use the purple epoxy putty. In my experience the cheap white will break down. Also do not use the liquid dual mix quick set, that breaks down fast also. If it’s dry I will use black silicone, if wet I now use only superglue gel or purple putty.

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homer1475 · 11/20/2018, 03:13 PM

JB Water Weld. Completely reef safe, can be had at any local hardware store(even wally world sells it), and is way cheaper then any coral epoxy.

Use the glue, epoxy, glue, sandwich method. Glue the frag plug to the epoxy, glue the epoxy to the rockwork. The glue only holds long enough for the epoxy to set up.

jacksonpt · 11/20/2018, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homer1475

JB Water Weld. Completely reef safe, can be had at any local hardware store(even wally world sells it), and is way cheaper then any coral epoxy.

Use the glue, epoxy, glue, sandwich method. Glue the frag plug to the epoxy, glue the epoxy to the rockwork. The glue only holds long enough for the epoxy to set up.

I do (and recommend) the glue / putty / glue method... But I'll likely try the jb water weld next time

neoh74 · 11/20/2018, 05:24 PM

Just breaking my tank down I noticed a sever lack of quality over a 2 year period from in waterweld and the generic HD version of epoxy. It literally crumbled off however the purple putty I had to rip off with a pair of pliers.

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solitude127 · 11/21/2018, 09:59 AM

Aquamaxx reefweld for me.

theshaman · 11/23/2018, 02:21 PM

Thanks for the suggestions!

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Joe0813 · 11/23/2018, 11:10 PM

I wonder how that new maxscect coral glue and gun will do

theshaman · 11/26/2018, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe0813

I wonder how that new maxscect coral glue and gun will do

It looks pretty cool.

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Joe0813 · 11/26/2018, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theshaman

It looks pretty cool.

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I saw it at macna and it looked like it would work pretty good

theshaman · 11/26/2018, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe0813

I saw it at macna and it looked like it would work pretty good

I think I could also use this to glue cover up the pociiloopora that’s popping up all over my tank.

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Joe0813 · 11/26/2018, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theshaman

I think I could also use this to glue cover up the pociiloopora that’s popping up all over my tank.

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Good idea

homer1475 · 11/27/2018, 04:15 AM

You guys keep getting sucked into buying "coral" glue.

There are plenty of ways to throw away money in this hobby, like buying super glue thats coral specific, but in reality is the same exact stuff found in any bottle of cyanoacrylic(super glue).

theshaman · 11/28/2018, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homer1475

You guys keep getting sucked into buying "coral" glue.

There are plenty of ways to throw away money in this hobby, like buying super glue thats coral specific, but in reality is the same exact stuff found in any bottle of cyanoacrylic(super glue).

I have been using superglue I buy at the 99 cents store and it worked great. The frags I’m trying to mount now are a little top heavy and the superglue is not strong enough to hold.
Maybe I can hold in place a little longer.

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mattgumaer · 11/28/2018, 02:49 PM

I've had a couple experiences with crumbly Water Weld. I think it happens when I don't adequately knead the two parts of the epoxy into one homogeneous glob. I think it may also happen if your hand is all wet when you knead the epoxy, introducing saltwater into the mix. From my own experience, Water Weld has been rock solid, except in cases of 'user error'. At times, I wish it would set up a little faster though.

I use a dab of superglue (gel) on the frag, then epoxy over the superglue, then make a divot in the bottom of the epoxy and add more super glue. I then plant the frag where I want it. I usually hold the frag under water for a few seconds before attempting to plant it to let the superglue skin over. This seems to make less of a mess.

I read in another thread here about someone who takes epoxy (with no frag) and sticks it to the rock. He then follows the process described above so that when he introduces the frag in the tank, he's planting it on epoxy previously stuck to the rock. I will likely try this method the next time I have something really big/heavy to place.

Matt

11/20/2018, 02:42 PM	#1
theshaman Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 556	Epoxy to mount frags Hi Reefcentral! I have some pretty chunky frags that I would like to mount onto my rock work. They have grown pretty big and I don’t think superglue will be able to hold the weight. What’s a good epoxy or putty do you guys recommend for mounting big frags to rock? Thanks! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

11/20/2018, 02:50 PM	#2
neoh74 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Oakley, CA Posts: 151	Use the purple epoxy putty. In my experience the cheap white will break down. Also do not use the liquid dual mix quick set, that breaks down fast also. If it’s dry I will use black silicone, if wet I now use only superglue gel or purple putty. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ 118 gallon Aqua Vim Moon View glass tank w/ hood Aqueon Proflex model 3 sump w/ refugium and full spectrum led Aqua C EV180 skimmer 2 Viparspectra 165w LEDs Hydor Smart Wave

11/20/2018, 03:13 PM	#3
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	JB Water Weld. Completely reef safe, can be had at any local hardware store(even wally world sells it), and is way cheaper then any coral epoxy. Use the glue, epoxy, glue, sandwich method. Glue the frag plug to the epoxy, glue the epoxy to the rockwork. The glue only holds long enough for the epoxy to set up. __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

11/20/2018, 05:24 PM	#5
neoh74 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Oakley, CA Posts: 151	Just breaking my tank down I noticed a sever lack of quality over a 2 year period from in waterweld and the generic HD version of epoxy. It literally crumbled off however the purple putty I had to rip off with a pair of pliers. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ 118 gallon Aqua Vim Moon View glass tank w/ hood Aqueon Proflex model 3 sump w/ refugium and full spectrum led Aqua C EV180 skimmer 2 Viparspectra 165w LEDs Hydor Smart Wave

11/21/2018, 09:59 AM	#6
solitude127 Proud user of IO Salt! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 9,136	Aquamaxx reefweld for me. __________________ Mike <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ ReefKeeping.com TOTM Nov 2012 Socalireefs Featured Reef Oct 2011 Current Tank Info: 603020, 8x54 ATI Powermodule, ReefBrite XHO, ATB Elegance 200, Aquamaxx CTech CaRx, Ecotech Vortechs, Apex Controls, WM Ecobak powered. RedSea Reefer 170, MP10, Apex Jr, Ecotech Radion XR15, Aquamaxx WS-1

11/23/2018, 02:21 PM	#7
theshaman Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 556	Thanks for the suggestions! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

11/23/2018, 11:10 PM	#8
Joe0813 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Boston strong Posts: 2,766	I wonder how that new maxscect coral glue and gun will do __________________ Joe and Jenny Current Tank Info: 180 reef

11/27/2018, 04:15 AM	#13
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	You guys keep getting sucked into buying "coral" glue. There are plenty of ways to throw away money in this hobby, like buying super glue thats coral specific, but in reality is the same exact stuff found in any bottle of cyanoacrylic(super glue). __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

11/28/2018, 02:49 PM	#15
mattgumaer Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 561	I've had a couple experiences with crumbly Water Weld. I think it happens when I don't adequately knead the two parts of the epoxy into one homogeneous glob. I think it may also happen if your hand is all wet when you knead the epoxy, introducing saltwater into the mix. From my own experience, Water Weld has been rock solid, except in cases of 'user error'. At times, I wish it would set up a little faster though. I use a dab of superglue (gel) on the frag, then epoxy over the superglue, then make a divot in the bottom of the epoxy and add more super glue. I then plant the frag where I want it. I usually hold the frag under water for a few seconds before attempting to plant it to let the superglue skin over. This seems to make less of a mess. I read in another thread here about someone who takes epoxy (with no frag) and sticks it to the rock. He then follows the process described above so that when he introduces the frag in the tank, he's planting it on epoxy previously stuck to the rock. I will likely try this method the next time I have something really big/heavy to place. Matt