Are all cyanoacrylate glues the same?

[jeffww]

I was reading some literature and learned that there exists many types of cyanoacrylate glues. We know that CA is also used for wound clotures and may even help stop tissue necrosis. Apparently many CA glues are naturally antimicrobial. However they ate not all the same. The alkyl chain length on a CA glue influences not only its mechanical properties but also its biological effects such as antibacterial activity and biocompatibility. Most CA glues are made of methyl and ethyl cyanoacrylates which are known to be more inflammatory than the kind of CA in medical wound cloture: octyl cyanoacrylate. Octyl cyanoacrylate also shows stronger anyimicrobial activity. Would it then make sense to use this type of glue for glueing frags?

 

[AfaceInTheCrowd]

I was unaware of this, I thought they were all the same. The only variable being the consistency..
However, I see you’re point and would imagine the antibacterial type could be beneficial. After all I tend to dip frags ina iodine dip after for the same reason.
Worth a discussion for sure

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

I was unaware of this, I thought they were all the same. The only variable being the consistency..
However, I see you’re point and would imagine the antibacterial type could be beneficial. After all I tend to dip frags ina iodine dip after for the same reason.
Worth a discussion for sure

I would think the exact opposite. The antimicrobial and antibacterial CA would be harmful to use in a reef environment.

 

[K7BMG]

I don't feel it matters.
The antimicrobial glues will not matter as there is so little used.
The silicone used for the tank is a different story as the amount used.
But I don't feel the small amount used to glue a frag, will be of consequence to a tank.
If you assembled an entire aquascape and used as much or more CA than the silicone on the tank, well maybe.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Once the adhesive is cured, I don't believe that it will be antimicrobial in a reef context. The cured polymer is insoluble and unlikely to significantly interact with organisms.

 

[Reefahholic]

Once the adhesive is cured, I don't believe that it will be antimicrobial in a reef context. The cured polymer is insoluble and unlikely to significantly interact with organisms.

I agree. Just like silicone.

I need to order some super thin Cyanoacrylate glue to aquascape my new tank. I hope this one is not toxic. See links below:

Starbond® "Super Fast" Thin Super Glue | Speed and Precision Optimized

Super Fast Thin CA Glue — ultra-thin 2–5 cPs, 3–5 second cure. The fastest drying super glue for woodturning, RC planes, balsa builds & 3D prints.

www.starbond.com

Or

Insta-Cure | Super Glue | CA

CA adhesive great for balsa wood and ceramics.

bsi-inc.com

All of our Asian friends are using AXIA 911 which is definitely reef safe. See link below:

AXIA 911 SUPER GLUE > Tools | ASTRO TILES - Australia No 1 Tile Shop

 

[maleks.reef]

I have heard that E600 and gorilla glue are both reef safe and quite cheap when compared to branded reef glues. Does anyone know anything about this?

 

[Reefahholic]

I have heard that E600 and gorilla glue are both reef safe and quite cheap when compared to branded reef glues. Does anyone know anything about this?

The green top gorilla glue is 100% reef safe. I’ve used it several times with Acro’s in the tank and so have many other reefers. No I’ll effects at all.

 

[Reefahholic]

Although my go to is BSI IC-GEL with BSI Insta-Set

 

[maleks.reef]

The green top gorilla glue is 100% reef safe. I’ve used it several times with Acro’s in the tank and so have many other reefers. No I’ll effects at all.

Although my go to is BSI IC-GEL with BSI Insta-Set

Are any of them good enough to use on rocks for an aquascape? And are they both thick/viscous?

 

[Reefahholic]

Are any of them good enough to use on rocks for an aquascape? And are they both thick/viscous?

Definitely the BSI Gel. Although I would recommend using Cyanoacrylate Super Glue (Thin 02). It’s thin as water. You can use this combined with sand to quickly work your scape vs the old school slower way. You can crush up your dry rock to a sand consistency or just buy a bag of sand. Just grab two pieces of rock. Throw sand into the joint. Squirt the water thin Cyanoacrylate into the sand which soaks deep into the whole area and basically welds both rocks together. Talk about a very strong bond within seconds.

This is how I’m fixing to build my new scape. You’ll need a good pair of gloves too. More than just basic nitrile gloves.

Starbond EM-02 Super Fast Thin CA glue is a "wicking type" ethyl cyanoacrylate super glue. This watery-thin, instant adhesive is commonly used to repair cracks and hairline fractures because of its ability to easily penetrate narrow spaces. Starbond Super Fast Thin CA glue is well suited for strengthening porous, fragile material such as soft wood (balsa), ceramics, unpolished rocks and minerals, and fossil bones. During inlay applications such as turquoise inlays or metal powder inlays, the thin viscosity CA glue penetrates and stabilizes the powder through capillary action. Thin CA glues are often used as a finish by applying several coats, sanding, and then polishing to a high gloss.

Use of Starbond Accelerator is advised when saturation of a porous object is unwanted. The instant cure will prevent Starbond EM-02 Super Fast Thin CA Glue from excessively soaking into the porous object, and prevent waste.

Compatible With

• Wood
• Metal
• Rubber
• Leather
• Ceramics
• Gemstones
• Rocks & Minerals
• Carbon Fiber
• Fiberglass
• PVC and Most Plastics

 

[Reefahholic]

This is what all our Asian friends are using overseas.

 

[ReefBeta]

I think what matter more is how strong the bound is.

For example IC-Gel has pretty weak bound. It's ideal for gluing frag onto plug, as it's easy to pop it off. But not ideal to glue frag onto rock permanently.

I hate buying frags that use strong glue. Sometimes it's so strong that the skeleton break first when cutting it off plug.

 

[Reefahholic]

I think what matter more is how strong the bound is.

For example IC-Gel has pretty weak bound. It's ideal for gluing frag onto plug, as it's easy to pop it off. But not ideal to glue frag onto rock permanently.

I hate buying frags that use strong glue. Sometimes it's so strong that the skeleton break first when cutting it off plug.

The bond with Cyanoacrylate is pretty strong. For best strength and bond I’ll be using E-Marco-400 on the back of the rock work where it’s not visible. Even if it is visible...you can squirt it with the Cyanoacrylate and throw sand on it to hide the joint or Mortar.