Frag Gluing Techniques

[mammyjammy0]

Although you might have to kill me if you tell me.... I was hoping to get some advice on gluing frags. I've scored some teensy pieces from the Ichthy Stuff and have used a whole tube of ic glue on 8 frags. It's like there's more glue on the bottom than there is frag! And I still keep knocking them off the rocks. I want to "set it and forget it" but I guess I'm not using putty or something. Any more suggestions would be great. I've tried ic glue on the frag then placing it on a rock, moved it, rubbing it on the live rock I'm attaching it to and held on for like 20-30 seconds. I release it. It sticks but then I always end up knocking the thing off while cleaning. Whassssup?

 

[Thrashie]

superglue gel!

 

[mammyjammy0]

Plain old super glue. Then how am I going to get my fingers apart?

 

[blindskater02]

The IC gel, is superglue gel. Your doing it right. Just takes a little more patience. And you will always get glue everywhere. DO NOT use any superglue unless it is superglue gel as the regular stuff is toxic!

 

[cmjreef]

Good advice Rob. The IC glue is the way to go. Put a little on the frag, and just be sure to use a little "english" when sticking it to the rockwork. Small frags are easy, larger ones a little more difficult. You will get the hang of it after a couple more frags.

 

[mammyjammy0]

Thanks for all your help. Especially you Rob. I can get 'em to stick I guess. But I end up bumping into them while "blowing off" the rocks during daily cleanings of substrate and rocks per the Fish Nazi. Hence a ton of glue under a tiny frag.

 

[mammyjammy0]

Thrashie, what about adding to your quote "HELP! I've Fallen! and I can't get uuuhhhh....HEY! Nice carpet (Anemoene)!!"

 

[bgdiving]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13158217#post13158217 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by blindskater02
The IC gel, is superglue gel. ...... DO NOT use any superglue unless it is superglue gel as the regular stuff is toxic!

blindskater02, not sure what you mean about superglue being toxic? I use both Super Glue gel and thick super glue and have used some of the thinner stuff also. I use a lot more of the thick super glue than I do the super glue gell. the gel costs a lot more and I hate tring to squeeze it out of the tubes, I prefer the larger size and ease of using the squeeze bottles. Over the past several years I've probably used over 2 pounds of the thick super glue with no ill effects other than ocasionaly glueing plugs and corals to my fingers, tearing a little skin off my fingers and have ruined a few shirts but no harm to coral or any of the tanks.

 

[Mitch529]

Just make sure that the glue is cyanoacrylate. The recommendation against liquid superglue is the application issue... Attaching two porous structures together isn't going to be the best bond, if at all

The actual composition of most commercial glues is typically ca. 91% ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate, 9% polymethylmethacrylate, <0.5% hydroquinone and a trace of organic sulfonic acid. Thin-running Krazy Glue and Super Glue are believed to be essentially 100% ECA.

Curing time and slow-setting inhibitors

The hardening reaction can be described like this. The cyanoacrylate is a polymer which contains its own hardener compound. However, a weak acid is added acting as an inhibitor, preventing the reaction and “holding apart” the molecules which accounts for the liquid consistency of the compound. When exposed to water, the acid is dissolved. It triggers a chain reaction and the compound cures to the solid state.

Manufacturers use the inhibitor to control the curing time of the glue. Slow-setting superglues have a larger proportion of inhibiting acid in the basic mixture.

Accelerators

Besides water, cyanoacrylate polymerises also in presence of alcohol and basic compounds (including weak amines). The latter can be used to produce a superglue “kicker” â€"œ a compound which triggers quick polymerisation of the glue.

 

[Thrashie]

what he said ^^ cyanoacrylate is the key! (which both reg superglue and gel have)

 

[forddna]

What's the best way to glue a frag directly to a rock in the tank? Meaning, frag is out of the tank but the rock is not.

 

[mammyjammy0]

That's what I wanna know Amanda.

 

[Mitch529]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12055330#post12055330 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reeferhead
I had a bunch of people come by the house over the weekend to pickup frags. Many wanted to know how I easily glue frags all over my reef, underwater, at various angles and surfaces, and get them to stick and never fall off despite all the bulldozing critters I have in my tank.

The following is the best technique I've found. It may be common knowledge for a lot of you but if nothing else this thread should help out a few new to the hobby. I've even used this technique to mount frags upside down under ledges with great succes.

Many people use Super Glue gel, which will work, but it cures very quickly underwater and doesn't provide enough support to keep critters from knocking the new frag over.

Others use a 2-part underwater epoxy like Aquamend, which will provide good support, however it is not as sticky as superglue, so sometimes it requires a lot of it to get a proper bond.

The secret its simple, use both together


Here is what you need:

Super Glue Gel:
I use Locktite because it comes in 10 gram tubes and I can buy it at Home Depot

2-part Underwater Epoxy:
I use Aquamend because I can buy it at Home Depot and its cheaper than the stuff repackaged for aquarium use. There are probably several other brands that would work but I can't speak for their safety in your reef.

Frag:
I mount all new frags to plugs with Super Glue and let them encrust for a few weeks before mounting in my reef. However, you can use rubble as well. If you have any bulldozing critters in your tank like big snails or urchins its important to let the new frag encrust first because the point at which the coral is glued to the plug will be the weak point.

Step 1:
If your using a plug and you don't have a good hole picked out on you reef structure go ahead a clip off the end of the plug. Leave about a 1/4 inch for the epoxy to grab on to.

Step 2:
Make sure the plug is dry and apply a liberal amount of Super Glue Gel to the bottom.

Step 3:
Take small kneaded up ball of epoxy and form it over the bottom of the super glue coated plug

Step 4:
Apply another liberal amount of Super Glue Gel over the epoxy

Final step in a sec...

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12055434#post12055434 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reeferhead
Final Step:
Now just push your frag into any surface on your reef structure, and and angle you want: straight up, on a vertical edge, or even upside down. Try and do it as quickly as possible, the less time you take messing with, the better the Super Glue will bond but you have some playing time.

Both the plugs and the epoxy will become encrusted with the coral and coraline within a few months and the goofy look will go away.



If this guy can't knock them off nothing can

Take care guys,

 

[forddna]

Sweet! I'm going to try that!

 

[Mitch529]

It works well, that is the method I use for gluing all of my frags.

 

[forddna]

Where exactly in the store would I find the Aquamend?

 

[Mitch529]

Home Depot carries it, I think it runs like 3 bucks.

 

[forddna]

What department is it in?

 

[Thrashie]

usually near the paint/adhesive section...

I glue mine to small pieces of rock....pull out the rock, dab it dry, glue frags to rock....let superglue set for a min, then plop rock/frag back into tank.

 

[xxseawolf]

ive had luck putting glue on the frag and quickly putting the frag in tank on rock. if you have steady hands and add a little pressure it works. using the the frag plugs is easier, i just dont like the plugs.

todd