Glue that actually holds?????

[jgabbsxx]

Alright,
I am either an idiot or every single glue I've tried sucks. I've tried the Polyp Lab, the reef friendly super glue, and some other brand I forgot. As soon as I try to glue a frag to my rock, the glue just doesn't glue. Can anyone suggest a literal idiot proof glue lol....
Thanks!

 

[twentyleagues]

Almost any gel super glue works. I typically place a large glob on the plug or(usually) the coral. I then put it where I want it and smooosh it around a bit, then hold it in place for about a minute. Typically works well. I've had them fall off before. Not sure if its the glue, or something on the rock face, or the surface area not big enough.

 

[Dipi]

Before glueing you could brush the rock to remove algae or other things that would prevent the glue from sticking on the rock

 

[blecki]

And dry both surfaces. Cyanoacrylate cures in saltwater but doesn't stick very well if the surface is wet.

 

[Reefing Qs]

I use the BRS thick gel glue. As some others have said, drying the bottom of the plug/whatever you are putting glue on will help. Once submerged, the glue should form a bubble with a very very thin solid membrane - it should be almost malleable to your touch, but too much pressure will "burst" the bubble and ooze out glue.

When you make contact with the rock/surface you want to glue it with, push down and TWIST - the twisting motion will "break" the thin solid layer of glue and cause the liquid to ooze/spin out in between the frag plug in the rock. Hold in place for 10-30 seconds, slowly try to let go and see if it is sticking. May take a few tries but you'll get the hang of it.

Yes, you'll most likely get glue all over your hands/fingers the first few times. I use nitrile gloves now.
Yes, if you use too much glue it will be a giant mess when you push/twist - you'll learn as you go.
Yes, the glue is fine in the tank even if there's a ton extra. In my tank, coralline starts to grow over it a week or two after it turns solid.

I've accidentally glued a lot of things - coral polyps, fish mouths (this was the scariest by far), torch skeletons to their tentacles. Nothing has died yet! It generally cures and falls off within a few days.

 

[Kyan]

I find BRS super glue better IME.

 

[ReefRondo]

Persevere. You will find your own way of doing it that works for you. Loads of opinions on this out there and even some videos. I collected a little from them all. Not one alone worked for me. I like the glue, putty, glue sandwich approach. Worst I have tried yet was Seatak and was a massive disappointment.

 

[JGT]

Most trusted way is the epoxy sandwich. Gel glue on frag, ball of epoxy, let setup for like 5 mins, more glue on epoxy ball, press/twist onto rock. Guaranteed to stick or your money back.

 

[ihatetomatoclowns]

Alright,
I am either an idiot or every single glue I've tried sucks. I've tried the Polyp Lab, the reef friendly super glue, and some other brand I forgot. As soon as I try to glue a frag to my rock, the glue just doesn't glue. Can anyone suggest a literal idiot proof glue lol....
Thanks!

gorilla glue gel

 

[TX_REEF]

for adhering to non-flat surfaces, I highly recommend using a small ball of epoxy putty and add dabs of superglue gel to the surfaces of the putty that will contact rock or frag. You can smoosh it down into place, hold it there for a few seconds, and you should be good to go. These are the products I use with success:

Reef-safe epoxy:

https://amzn.to/3Sv4SgH

superglue gels:

https://amzn.to/49pE74c

https://amzn.to/42rcd5K

 

[Thuan]

I use the sandwich method(glue, epoxy, glue). Works great for me. I stock up on Dollar Tree glue gel

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

gorilla glue gel is the only one I use, it never fails, its gorilla strong.

 

[AKReefing]

Alright,
I am either an idiot or every single glue I've tried sucks. I've tried the Polyp Lab, the reef friendly super glue, and some other brand I forgot. As soon as I try to glue a frag to my rock, the glue just doesn't glue. Can anyone suggest a literal idiot proof glue lol....
Thanks!

Assuming you're referring to stoney corals, any thick CA works for me. Just make sure both surfaces are dry. The alkalinity in SW tends to help it cure quickly.

 

[Devisissy]

Or you can be like me and glue your dang finger to the frag. I use the epoxy with super glue sandwich. I get that crap from the dollar store...and use Tunze epoxy.

 

[Gtinnel]

I use the superglue- epoxy sandwhich method too. I’ve never had an frag accidentally break off once I started using that method.

 

[Devisissy]

I use the superglue- epoxy sandwhich method too. I’ve never had an frag accidentally break off once I started using that method.

A must with urchins. They will do whatever the heck they want.

 

[DanyL]

My approach is a little different than others.
I never glue frags right onto my rockwork - main reason being to be able to easily remove them when needed, wether it be for fragging large colonies, dipping or just to move to a different location.

The way I mount them instead is by gluing them to a small rock, if the coral is encrusting - roughly a rock the size I expect it to encrust.

Then I take this small rock and glue it to my rockwork, first stage with super glue, and then second stage with Aqua Mend.

This allows me to more easily and securely glue corals to my rockwork as well as when necessary, to take a knife and carefully separate between the small rock and my rockwork without much damage to the colony.

Worst I have tried yet was Seatak and was a massive disappointment.

I know, right?
It literally didn’t want to stick to anything but my fingers.

 

[twentyleagues]

Persevere. You will find your own way of doing it that works for you. Loads of opinions on this out there and even some videos. I collected a little from them all. Not one alone worked for me. I like the glue, putty, glue sandwich approach. Worst I have tried yet was Seatak and was a massive disappointment.

Seatak is junk. Like @DanyL said it will only stick to your fingers.
I got a tube of it yesterday. Waste of $20. I had to stay home from work with my new frags that were stuck to my hands instead of the rock work today....jk I went to work with them. The rest is true.

 

[Roatan Reef]

Seatak is junk. Like @DanyL said it will only stick to your fingers.
I got a tube of it yesterday. Waste of $20. I had to stay home from work with my new frags that were stuck to my hands instead of the rock work today....jk I went to work with them. The rest is true.

Yep...got fooled on a demo at Reefpalooza 2 years ago and bought some.....what a scam! That stuff is the WOAT!!

 

[Idech]

Gorilla glue on Amazon. Green bottle. Every coral I tried to glue fell until I started buying this. I let it sit 30-45 seconds and then put it in the tank.