reef putty sucks

[sardonicscorpio]

So, I've been glueing my frags with reef putty, which works fairly well as long as the frag is directly on top of it and nothing ever disturbs it. However, for those on-the-side frags and heavy stuff, no matter how much putty I use it doesn't work. I give up.

Is the regular clear super glue gel strong? Does it set under water? Is there anything better?

I'm sick of waking up and finding fallen frags (say that 5 times fast). Theres gotta be a better way!!

 

[thefireking]

I agree with the above post. ;-)

 

[Elliott]

put some superglue (gel works best) on the mount or rock then aquamend on top of that, then more superglue, then the frag, sets up even under water and works great, Ryan turned me on to that. all available at HD

 

[sardonicscorpio]

I'll try that - thanks!

 

[ADA33]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10910085#post10910085 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Elliott
put some superglue (gel works best) on the mount or rock then aquamend on top of that, then more superglue, then the frag, sets up even under water and works great, Ryan turned me on to that. all available at HD

That is how I like to do it also.

 

[jasonh]

I have the worst luck with just straight super glue. Seems like it takes forever to set, and then still doesn't hold very well.

 

[aztbs]

I am also a fan of layered method, superglue-putty-superglue. For side mounts though, nothing is going to hold there right away, you have to hold it until it sets. For that reason, I have several plastic zip ties in my tank. Some of them are permanent and have been covered with corals and coralline. Some of them are just to hold until the glue dries.

Nothing makes me curse more than falling frags and holding something in place until the glue dries!!

 

[JMCAquarium]

at least you guys don't have a 6-7 inch tiger goby that picks your frags up and swims away with them. and buries them in a corner, for some reason he has taken a liken to my green digi frag the poor thing is buried at least once a week.

 

[jasonh]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10912275#post10912275 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JMCAquarium
at least you guys don't have a 6-7 inch tiger goby that picks your frags up and swims away with them. and buries them in a corner, for some reason he has taken a liken to my green digi frag the poor thing is buried at least once a week.

Well that's a new one, lol.

I'll have to try this layered method. I think the biggest problem I have with straight superglue right now is the length of time it takes to set. I was under the impression it'd be glued in 30 sec and you're done, but that hasn't been the case. I've left things out for 5 min waiting for the glue to dry and it's still been wet and comes apart easily. I've also glued things in the tank and left them there for a day or two, and they come off super easy anyway. I don't get it.

 

[soni]

i use aquamend

 

[JMCAquarium]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10912518#post10912518 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jasonh
Well that's a new one, lol.

I'll have to try this layered method. I think the biggest problem I have with straight superglue right now is the length of time it takes to set. I was under the impression it'd be glued in 30 sec and you're done, but that hasn't been the case. I've left things out for 5 min waiting for the glue to dry and it's still been wet and comes apart easily. I've also glued things in the tank and left them there for a day or two, and they come off super easy anyway. I don't get it.

contact points must be bone dry to make it stick hard and fast

 

[jasonh]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10912962#post10912962 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JMCAquarium
contact points must be bone dry to make it stick hard and fast

Well that sucks, how am I supposed to glue things to a rock that's underwater and I can't take out without messing everything up? Would putty be my only option in that case?

 

[Elliott]

apply superglue gel to the frag, then aquamend, then superglue and submerse it in the water directly on your rock

 

[JMCAquarium]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10913377#post10913377 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jasonh
Well that sucks, how am I supposed to glue things to a rock that's underwater and I can't take out without messing everything up? Would putty be my only option in that case?

My personal thing but when I have issues like that I glue the frags to small rocks and then wedge the rocks into cracks or holes in the rocks.

 

[jasonh]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10914265#post10914265 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JMCAquarium
My personal thing but when I have issues like that I glue the frags to small rocks and then wedge the rocks into cracks or holes in the rocks.

I do that too. But I am clumsy, so sometimes I really want to glue those rocks down to keep my big hands from knocking things over. Also, if I REALLY one that frag in that ONE spot, and wedging doesn't work.

 

[jasonh]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10914294#post10914294 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jasonh
I do that too. But I am clumsy, so sometimes I really want to glue those rocks down to keep my big hands from knocking things over. Also, if I REALLY one that frag in that ONE spot, and wedging doesn't work.

Point in case: Some member of the CuC got a little over zealous tonight.

 

[Doglover_50]

No no no. Pull rock and frag out of tank, dry them with a blowdryer, then super glue, then aquamend, reef putty, aquamend again, and super glue again. Blow dry once more for good measure.

THEN, coax the tiger goby to the surface with some food, saddle the frag around the back of the tiger goby with a plastic tie (important tip--tighten only until snug)--now at this part you want to be quite careful NOT to get the super glue or aquamend on the goby), release the goby, and wherever the frag lands, leave it and call it FATE.

Oh--and you don't want to blow dry the goby, either.