best expoxy for rock based colonies
- Thread starter roons
- Start date
I have found that most underwater epoxies will work if the rock is wedged into a crevice or hole but it is not particularly sticky for mounting flat on the surface. The epoxy holds things in place mostly by hardening to a shape that will surround the rock and not by being sticky. I use standard epoxy if the frag is on a plug with a "stem" that can go into a hole.
For attaching rocks or coral on a rock I have started using "Z-Spar". I read about it form one of the "experts" a couple of years ago- I can't remember who. It comes in two 1-quart containers (or larger) and costs something like $70 so it isn't cheap, but it will last quite awhile. It is very sticky, even under water. This makes it harder to work with and it also cures more slowly. Once cured though it can actually be hard to pull the rocks apart. You won't get that kind of strength with other epoxies. Because of its stickiness it will hold fairly well even before it has cured so it stays put pretty well.
Allen
For attaching rocks or coral on a rock I have started using "Z-Spar". I read about it form one of the "experts" a couple of years ago- I can't remember who. It comes in two 1-quart containers (or larger) and costs something like $70 so it isn't cheap, but it will last quite awhile. It is very sticky, even under water. This makes it harder to work with and it also cures more slowly. Once cured though it can actually be hard to pull the rocks apart. You won't get that kind of strength with other epoxies. Because of its stickiness it will hold fairly well even before it has cured so it stays put pretty well.
Allen
I use cyanoacrylate - better known as CA in the RC plane modelling hobby. "Thick CA" is great, takes seconds to hold, and I've never seen a negative reaction in the tank.
You have to watch the fumes - they can be bad, and I assume bad for the colony/coral you're attaching, so I like to put the glue on the rock, let the fumes dissipate, then pull the coral out of the water and attach.
You have to watch the fumes - they can be bad, and I assume bad for the colony/coral you're attaching, so I like to put the glue on the rock, let the fumes dissipate, then pull the coral out of the water and attach.
Cyanoacrylate =superglue
Superglue gel can be very useful. I use it all the time to attach frags to mounts in my grow-out tank. IME it is way too brittle to be of use alone in the display tank. The least little bump can break the bond. Snails, urchins and fish have regularly knocked frags off when mounted directly to rock in the tank. Others have had better experience with it. It may depend on your other tank inhabitants.
I have read about some forms of superglue gel that are formulated to remain slightly flexible. I have been planning to try that, but the local hobby stores don't carry it so I'll have to order it online. That may be more useful than the standard gel.
Allen
Superglue gel can be very useful. I use it all the time to attach frags to mounts in my grow-out tank. IME it is way too brittle to be of use alone in the display tank. The least little bump can break the bond. Snails, urchins and fish have regularly knocked frags off when mounted directly to rock in the tank. Others have had better experience with it. It may depend on your other tank inhabitants.
I have read about some forms of superglue gel that are formulated to remain slightly flexible. I have been planning to try that, but the local hobby stores don't carry it so I'll have to order it online. That may be more useful than the standard gel.
Allen
boostd2valve
New member
i also used CA...i always had it on hand from modeling....think gel stuff is better...
Yeah, I worked with z-spar when I was building my DIY 24' sailboat (just mentioned this in another thread about canopies). Its very waterproof, which is sort of critical when you're building boats 
The guys at the Back Yard Yacht Builders board, where I used to frequent, might have a good line on related products:
http://byyb.org/pn761/index.php
The guys at the Back Yard Yacht Builders board, where I used to frequent, might have a good line on related products:
http://byyb.org/pn761/index.php
