Does AquaStik epoxy cure underwater?

Cox · 02/16/2006, 07:37 AM

I have used the HoldFast epoxy before with good results but I am looking at the AquaStik since it comes in red. I know the HoldFast is advertised specifically stating you can apply underwater but has anyone also done this with the AquaStik? I will be using it to attach some zoa frags to some LR.

maro1 · 02/16/2006, 07:44 AM

Yes it does!

Mar

SDguy · 02/16/2006, 08:32 AM

Every time I used aquastick on frags (montipora, some others as well) it caused the tissue immediately around it to recede and die. I have heard this same experience from others. Not sure if it would affect zoa's. I have never had this problem with aquamend from HD, but it doesn't come in red

But coralline grows over it eventually anyways. Just my 2 cents.

Pandora · 02/16/2006, 09:02 AM

I personally wouldn't let the epoxy touch anywhere you don't want the tissue to recede, it's an irritant. I use it on the calcareous skeletons of LPS with no problems at all, it works great on hard corals (and on SPS like montipora, not a big deal, because it kills the base, but the top exposed part is fine and grows around it). It does not work as well on soft corals that aren't already attached to a small frag of rock.

SDguy · 02/16/2006, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pandora
and on SPS like montipora, not a big deal, because it kills the base, but the top exposed part is fine and grows around it).

With the aquastick, it actually kills what it covers as well as up to 3/4" around it. Do a search, other people have verified that I'm not the only one that had this problem. Aquamend caused no such recession. But if all you're doing is sticking LR together, then sure, use the aquastick if you want the red color. Also, I noticed aquastick made my skimmer go nuts. Not so much with aquamend.

Pandora · 02/16/2006, 01:40 PM

I'm sorry! I was reading this as more of a general comment on epoxies. I haven't come across any that are that different commercially, but I always buy the Home Depot 2 part epoxies (various brands) and found them to be cheap & safe (around $6). I've heard the special reef epoxies are a little stickier and have that color thing going for them, but to me, the difference is not worth it, especially hearing about the problems now with them irritating SPS.

Craig Lambert · 02/16/2006, 01:47 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by SDguy
[B]With the aquastick, it actually kills what it covers as well as up to 3/4" around it. "

Anyone tried it out on aptasia??

Cox · 02/18/2006, 09:06 AM

Thanks! I used the super glue gel along with the epoxy trick and it worked great. The zoos were already on small rubble rock so the epoxy didn't touch the zoos, but the rock itself. Thanks again!

02/16/2006, 07:37 AM	#1
Cox Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 128	Does AquaStik epoxy cure underwater? I have used the HoldFast epoxy before with good results but I am looking at the AquaStik since it comes in red. I know the HoldFast is advertised specifically stating you can apply underwater but has anyone also done this with the AquaStik? I will be using it to attach some zoa frags to some LR.

02/16/2006, 07:44 AM	#2
maro1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Iowa Posts: 593	Yes it does! Mar __________________ We Raise Champion Bulldogs. Current Tank Info: 300 Gal Fish and reef with Large Angels

02/16/2006, 08:32 AM	#3
SDguy Fish heads unite! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 23,384	Every time I used aquastick on frags (montipora, some others as well) it caused the tissue immediately around it to recede and die. I have heard this same experience from others. Not sure if it would affect zoa's. I have never had this problem with aquamend from HD, but it doesn't come in red But coralline grows over it eventually anyways. Just my 2 cents. __________________ Peter SDMAS member Marine tanks since 1989. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º> Current Tank Info: 240g butterfly and angel FOWLR. 15g QT.

02/16/2006, 09:02 AM	#4
Pandora Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Maryland near DC Posts: 1,706	I personally wouldn't let the epoxy touch anywhere you don't want the tissue to recede, it's an irritant. I use it on the calcareous skeletons of LPS with no problems at all, it works great on hard corals (and on SPS like montipora, not a big deal, because it kills the base, but the top exposed part is fine and grows around it). It does not work as well on soft corals that aren't already attached to a small frag of rock. __________________ Where are we going... And why am I in this handbasket? Current Tank Info: 75gal reef tank, 30 gal octopus tank, Other: 75gal planted Amazon tank

02/16/2006, 01:40 PM	#6
Pandora Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Maryland near DC Posts: 1,706	I'm sorry! I was reading this as more of a general comment on epoxies. I haven't come across any that are that different commercially, but I always buy the Home Depot 2 part epoxies (various brands) and found them to be cheap & safe (around $6). I've heard the special reef epoxies are a little stickier and have that color thing going for them, but to me, the difference is not worth it, especially hearing about the problems now with them irritating SPS. __________________ Where are we going... And why am I in this handbasket? Current Tank Info: 75gal reef tank, 30 gal octopus tank, Other: 75gal planted Amazon tank

02/16/2006, 01:47 PM	#7
Craig Lambert Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,897	[QUOTE]Originally posted by SDguy [B]With the aquastick, it actually kills what it covers as well as up to 3/4" around it. " Anyone tried it out on aptasia?? __________________ "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will spend all day in a boat drinking beer." Current Tank Info: 75G Tank, 29G Sump, 100lbs LR, AquaC EV-180, Iwaki MD-20RT return Tunze nano streams 4X54 t-5/Icecap Ballast & SLR's 2x110 vho actinic

02/18/2006, 09:06 AM	#8
Cox Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 128	Thanks! I used the super glue gel along with the epoxy trick and it worked great. The zoos were already on small rubble rock so the epoxy didn't touch the zoos, but the rock itself. Thanks again!