Hunt for Epoxy putty stick...

[fixingstill]

It seems all these epoxy putty sticks marketed for aquarium is just regular ones for general purpose use. They are either 2oz or 4oz for about $5 or $10. Yes, those for "aquarium use" are not more expensive but I was very disappointed that the Instant Ocean HoldFast Aquarium Epoxy Glue Stick (HF-1) is BRIGHT WHITE, and causes my skimmer overflowing for 5 days and still doing it, and it is STILL SOFT. I can put a mark on it with my nail.
Then I tried Harbor Freight expoxy putty. It SMELLS SO BAD and did not get hardened in the water.
So I tried PRO-POXY 20 Epoxy [B000BQLSXQ on amazon] and it works better. At least it has hardened the next day I checked it.
Now, I just found this:
A+B Epoxy 9904K White A+B Rezolin Epoxy Kit, 14 oz.
https://www.amazon.com/Epoxy-9904K-White-Rezolin-Container/dp/B0030D2N22

It is $14.75 for 14 oz. Isn't it the best deal ever for your epoxy putty hunt?
I will try it. Anyone has tried it and how good/bad is it?

 

[billdogg]

JB Waterweld is what I have used for years. Decent price, available just about anywhere. Never affected my skimmer in any way at all and I have used as much as a couple of tubes in a day.

 

[BryanCaruso]

I use that too. It is white but works and doesn't effect skimmer

 

[ReefsandGeeks]

I've used the JB water weld as well and have had good luck. It has effected my skimmer, causing it to loose bubble head, not over flow. This was very temporary while the epoxy cured though, returning to normal within a couple of hours with no harm done.

 

[bblumberg]

I have used both JB water weld and Two Little Fishies purple stick. Both work well-enough but I prefer the purple one. Both need to be well mixed for good results. I'd guess if they haven't hardened you need to knead them more before using. I find a good 2-3 minutes is required to get the color uniform in the TLF purple stick.

 

[fixingstill]

Instant Ocean HoldFast Aquarium Epoxy Glue Stick (HF-1) is a nightmare. I waited for 7 days and my skimmer still overflows. I ended up wet-skimmed 1 gallon out before it gets back to "controllable". This product should not be made and marketed for aquarium use.

 

[luvreefs23]

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/coralline-purple-oceans-wonders-reef-epoxy.html

This stuff once mixed got hot and was rock hard in 10-15 mins. Used on a few pieces on my aquascape. Impressive stuff

 

[fixingstill]

One trick I have been using is to use crazy glue on top and under the epoxy putty Otherwise it is never easy to have putty affix to rock, especially if it has algae.
Or I use putty to "wrap around" the plug and the rock that you are setting the coral on. Use the putty as cushioning and to "grab" and hold the plug down to the rock surface.

 

[Vio]

One trick I have been using is to use crazy glue on top and under the epoxy putty Otherwise it is never easy to have putty affix to rock, especially if it has algae.
Or I use putty to "wrap around" the plug and the rock that you are setting the coral on. Use the putty as cushioning and to "grab" and hold the plug down to the rock surface.

+1 "One trick I have been using is to use crazy glue on top and under the epoxy putty"

 

[Reef_Pilot]

I have used both JB water weld and Two Little Fishies purple stick. Both work well-enough but I prefer the purple one. Both need to be well mixed for good results. I'd guess if they haven't hardened you need to knead them more before using. I find a good 2-3 minutes is required to get the color uniform in the TLF purple stick.

+1 for the Two Little Fishies Epoxy. I have tried several aquarium specific epoxies and JB Water weld but much prefer the TLF Epoxy.