UV cured resins

[Thermo]

Hi,

I recently came along two UV curable resins that are super hydrophobic and antimicrobial (not through use of chemistry to kill microbes). I'm interested in using them on or in my tank, any idea how to test these for reef safety? How should I go about testing them to make sure they won't leech any chemistry into the water? I have access to a ton of lab equipment and can do chemical tests of the water, but sometimes reefers are much more cautious for things that lab tests don't always reveal. Any ideas?

 

[Wangspeed]

What are you planning on doing with them? Aquariums cannot be made with UV cure adhesives.

 

[Thermo]

I was planning on coating various things depending on the need, but your comment has me curious. Why cant you make a tank with them? I used a similar resin, without the uv curing properties to line my pond last year

 

[thejuggernaut]

Actually, I thought that was what they used to bond the pvc bottoms to glass tanks at the big manufacturers. We were talking about that earlier this week on another thread.

 

[uncleof6]

You can't build tanks with UV catalyzed windshield repair polymers, but there are specialized UV catalyzed polymers that can be used to build hybrid tanks. What they are, no body knows, as they are proprietary.

As far as reef safety goes, there is no such thing. Nothing is tested at any level for "reef safe" properties. There is only anecdote that this or that did not kill any critters. Generally anything that is FDA approved for food contact is not going to kill any critters. There are many products that are not FDA approved that will not kill any critters. Potable water safe is another story, as copper is listed still for potable water. It is generally best to use materials that are widely used in the hobby, with "no known direct links" to critter fatalities. Sometimes you have to get around some myths with some products.

 

[Wangspeed]

I read one bonding companies info and they said it wasn't appropriate because it would slowly absorb water over time. The other issue is that the bonds are extremely thin and this would mean glass on glass contact. I guess the pieces are supposed to be somewhat isolated to prevent breakage.

 

[Thermo]

So from that I'm reading is basically I'd need to test it in a tank and wait? I actually hadn't planned on making a tank with it as much as coat specific surfaces with it. I think I have an idea what I should do next then.

 

[uncleof6]

So from that I'm reading is basically I'd need to test it in a tank and wait? I actually hadn't planned on making a tank with it as much as coat specific surfaces with it. I think I have an idea what I should do next then.

Like I said way up there, it is far far better to use materials that are widely used in the hobby, instead of searching out new exotic materials for use in a marine system. There are many many unknowns, and very few knowns to any of it.

 

[Thermo]

Yeah, but if no one ever did any testing, there would be no advancement in the hobby either. That said, I see your point.

If i wanted to test the safety of these things for reef animals though, I guess I could start with basic water assays from a 3rd party lab and confirmation from my lab. If the waters seem fine, the next step would be to test with frags? I don't like the idea of testing on living things, but that would be the natural next step would it not?

 

[NanoReefWanabe]

just set up a small tank (10-20)g and out a couple snails and crabs in there, they are both very sensitive to water chemistry, if they die fairly quickly then i would assume it is not safe short term. as for long term, well you have to keep the tank going if they live and see where it goes…i would say if they live past a couple weeks try adding a couple different species of corals…again if they slime up badly and RTN or STN then would think it is a no go product. if they live another couple weeks then try a cheap fish (damsel etc…) they are very tough but still sensitive to harsh chemicals…if everything lives then i would say it is fairly safe, but over a couple years who would know…

as for testing the water…i wouldnt even know where to start or what to start testing for, as there is likely a million and one different chemicals and compounds that could be found in that product or formed when mixed with sea water…(all the ions and metals, salts etc in the water could have any number of adverse reactions with the product…a chemistry major could likely figure out what is in the product and how it could potentially react with the 100 elements in the water and things it could form after doing so. but i am sure none would waste their time…so your only course of action is trial and error…