I have been working on my aquascaping and don't want to just pile all of the rocks together. I tried NSF certified plumber's epoxy but once it cured it seemed to lose its bond to some of the rocks. I was wondering if any of the 2-part liquid epoxies would be safe? I looked at the packages on a bunch of different ones and to my surprise most were not recommended for under water. The only one that I found that was ok for underwater is JB Weld Clearweld. I can't seem to find any information anywhere though if it is NSF or safe for potable water. Does anyone know?
JB Weld Clearweld safe?
- Thread starter dataz722
- Start date
gone fishin
New member
I use the JB waterweld 2 part putty for placing coral. I have used it for a number of years without issue.
uncleof6
Active member
Reef safe is a myth. There is nothing that is reef safe, Most things are not manufactured for reef tanks, therefore there cannot be such a thing as reef safe.
Maybe someone has used the stuff you are referring to, most likely no one has. Anecdotally, without lab testing, using something with "no issues" is a myth as well. Since so little is know about marine aquarium chemistry, there really is not a way to know if there are any issues or not.
The best you can do, is find a collective number of folks that have used the specific product you mention, that can anecdotally tell you "nothing died." There are numerous products out there I am certain, that others have used and "nothing died." It is always best to use what is commonly used rather than going off on a tangent, and using a product for which there is not any anecdotal information. Is it safe? It is an unknown till either something dies, or nothing dies.
Just fyi: JB Weld contains heavy metals.
AZRippster
Diver & Reef Aquarium Nut
JB Waterweld is very good, but a little superglue gel on both surfaces before sticking the pieces together really aids in adhesion. Kneading the crap out of the waterweld also helps in getting it good and sticky. The only problem you may find is that if you are not successful in your first attempt at cementing to pieces together, the waterweld is almost rendered useless. It's better to lop off another slice, dope it up with superglue gel, and try again.
One piece of advice. After kneading the waterweld, be very cognizant of where you put your fingers. You can easily leave white, virtually permanent, fingerprints where you don't want them, i.e. your aquarium glass or acrylic.
One piece of advice. After kneading the waterweld, be very cognizant of where you put your fingers. You can easily leave white, virtually permanent, fingerprints where you don't want them, i.e. your aquarium glass or acrylic.
AZRippster
Diver & Reef Aquarium Nut
JB Weld and JB Waterweld are two very different products. JB Waterweld is essentially Two Little Fishies AquaStik, just white in color instead of grey.
uncleof6
Active member
"Essentially," is not the same thing. You don't know what something will do till critters either die or don't, or what little chemistry we test for goes haywire.
I know, that's why I normally look for NSF for safe for potable water. Its not perfect, but its better than nothing.
I'll try using a little superglue with it too and maybe that will help. I didn't even think to try that.
uncleof6
Active member
NSF is not really very telling either. FDA approval for food contact, carries a great deal more weight. Even some copper pipe has an NSF certification...
Just FYI: Salt water is not potable water, it will make you very sick, with fatality a possibility, not really relevant, just sayin.
AZRippster
Diver & Reef Aquarium Nut
I've used it for years with great success and no evident harmful side effects. If you Google "waterweld reef coral" you get numerous hits with info from others that have used it successfully over a considerable period of time.
Lastly, I used the word "essentially" because I didn't feel it appropriate to say, "waterweld is the same as AquaStik, just grey". I will request the msds from Two Little Fishies on this. Odd they don't provide that on their website... JB did.
Lastly, I used the word "essentially" because I didn't feel it appropriate to say, "waterweld is the same as AquaStik, just grey". I will request the msds from Two Little Fishies on this. Odd they don't provide that on their website... JB did.
AZRippster
Diver & Reef Aquarium Nut
OK, here is the MSDS for AquaStik. The MSDS for JB Waterweld is available from JB's website. Just Google it. I would have posted but the size of the PDF exceeds the limit.
