Reef Glue

fernalfer · Jun 27, 2016

Ok i have a rock with about 30 zoa heads on it but while dipping it before putting it in tank i dropped it. Luckily all the heads were fine. Now i want to glue those pieces back onto the rock.

What is the best kind of glue for this application? I will be taking the rock out in a bucket of tank water and gluing out of the tank. Then want to stick it back in tank as one piece again.

Just not sure what glue is best for this seeing the rocks will both be wet. Also what is the best way to cut the plugs of a frag disk. I want to keep the flat round part it is on but not the 1 inch piece that sticks out under the disk.

TheHarold · Jun 27, 2016

fernalfer said:
Ok i have a rock with about 30 zoa heads on it but while dipping it before putting it in tank i dropped it. Luckily all the heads were fine. Now i want to glue those pieces back onto the rock.

What is the best kind of glue for this application? I will be taking the rock out in a bucket of tank water and gluing out of the tank. Then want to stick it back in tank as one piece again.

Just not sure what glue is best for this seeing the rocks will both be wet. Also what is the best way to cut the plugs of a frag disk. I want to keep the flat round part it is on but not the 1 inch piece that sticks out under the disk.

So if this is a large rock, you may need epoxy and super glue. Most reefing stores sell glues, BulkReefSupply has free shipping. To cut the piece that sticks under it you will need heavy duty coral cutters, or perhaps pliers.

ludnix · Jun 27, 2016

I use a set of these for getting the ends of frag plugs off:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Genu...32265008492.html?spm=2114.40010308.4.2.0AyA3a

I also would agree with superglue and epoxy. I have had good luck with Locktite Super Glue Gel from the hardware store. I would pat dry the surface you want to glue and then just apply the glue all over.

Marc.The.Shark · Jun 27, 2016

I use outdoor pruning shears to cut the plug, works pretty good. I also think the Seachem Thick glue works best and a lot of times in conjunction with putty(epoxy) like Harold says, but most of the time I'm lazy & go to the Dollar Store & get super glue gel. That works fine too, & 2 tubes for a buck! Lol

Once you put the glue on, dip it in saltwater for a couple seconds to "skin it". Helps keep from dripping before placement.

fernalfer · Jun 27, 2016

ludnix said:
I use a set of these for getting the ends of frag plugs off:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Genu...32265008492.html?spm=2114.40010308.4.2.0AyA3a

I also would agree with superglue and epoxy. I have had good luck with Locktite Super Glue Gel from the hardware store. I would pat dry the surface you want to glue and then just apply the glue all over.

Yeah the pieces i want to glue are small no big rocks. So if using super glue just dry the area apply then stick together and let it set underwater? Also my plus is made of almost like a plastic. I tried with some cutter but stopped because a piece just chipped off and was afraid to snap the disk my hammer is on.

ludnix · Jun 27, 2016

The super glue gel works fine underwater as well. It can leave a film when you first submerge it, so if there is exposed glue I put the frag under water coral side first, so the film doesn't envelope the coral. If you're gluing two rock halves back together it shouldn't be an issue though.

I was thinking you had ceramic plugs for the cutter. I despised the ORA black plastic plugs that their corals would come on. Nearly impossible to cut, I had better luck removing the corals with a razor blade and carefully wiggling them out of the plug. If yours are something else where the coral can't be removed you might try cutting the plug end off with a hack saw or similar small tooth hand saw. If I have a ceramic plug I break off the plug end with the nail puller or large set of dykes or wire cutters. I usually loosely cover the whole frag and pliers with a hand towel so nothing going flying away.