Super glue? Really?

Shawn_epicurious · Mar 9, 2020

I have some very persistent little snails... they keep knocking over a few of my smaller corals. So, I picked up an Aquastick (epoxy putty)... like in the old days

I have now read twice and told once my an LFS guy.... to use a drop or two of super glue on the putty itself and then stick it in the tank.

Is that for real? Using super glue in my reef tank?

ecamden · Mar 9, 2020

Shawn_epicurious said:
I have some very persistent little snails... they keep knocking over a few of my smaller corals. So, I picked up an Aquastick (epoxy putty)... like in the old days

I have now read twice and told once my an LFS guy.... to use a drop or two of super glue on the putty itself and then stick it in the tank.

Is that for real? Using super glue in my reef tank?

I do it all the time. Use the gel though

JoshO · Mar 9, 2020

I've heard similar, following!

Crabs McJones · Mar 9, 2020

Yup! Super glue gel. No issues

AZMSGT · Mar 9, 2020

Yes superglue specifically Gel or extra thick. I tend to apply it generously.
1. Scrub the surface you’re gluing to with a tooth brush
2. apply glue to coral or coral plug.
3. when attaching it to the rock give it a little twist to break the skin that formed on the glue as you submerged it.

PS, make sure all pumps are off for 10-15min to allow the glue to take hold.

Most local reef stores, hardware and hobby shops should carry it.

Intense37754 · Mar 9, 2020

Gorilla glue works good but found that seachem reef glue is better and the size/price is equivalent

Jaebster · Mar 9, 2020

Do a search on youtube for "brs best glue 2019". I believe they even show you how to use it. Word of caution, when you use it, try not to let fish and other animals pick at it until you feel its solidified.... I've seen posts on here where a fish picks at it and get their mouth glued shut.

Jeto2004 · Mar 9, 2020

Glue with super glue, to glue super nicely your corals....

MTBake · Mar 9, 2020

Agree with above.

Careful if you have a fish that likes to pick at rocks. My kole tang glued his mouth shut for a short while. He managed to get rid of it in a matter of minutes. I sure was freaking out. A month later and no noticeable issues.

Shawn_epicurious · Mar 9, 2020

The LSF guy told me to use the putty... pinch a little off, roll it in a ball ( as little as possible for the job) then squish it a little flat.... put the super glue directly on the putty, stick it to the rock.... glue on the other side, then place it in the tank.

seems doable : ) it’s just blowing my mind lol. “Sure... go ahead and put that toxic stuff in your tank.... it’ll be fiiiiiinnneeeee“ Lol Reefing really has changed a lot in 15 years

Shawn_epicurious · Mar 9, 2020

MTBake said:
Agree with above.

Careful if you have a fish that likes to pick at rocks. My kole tang glued his mouth shut for a short while. He managed to get rid of it in a matter of minutes. I sure was freaking out. A month later and no noticeable issues.

Oh wow, good advice!

Jaebster · Mar 9, 2020

Shawn_epicurious said:
The LSF guy told me to use the putty... pinch a little off, roll it in a ball ( as little as possible for the job) then squish it a little flat.... put the super glue directly on the putty, stick it to the rock.... glue on the other side, then place it in the tank.

seems doable : ) it’s just blowing my mind lol. “Sure... go ahead and put that toxic stuff in your tank.... it’ll be fiiiiiinnneeeee“ Lol Reefing really has changed a lot in 15 years

That's what BRS recommends too... depending on what you want to achieve. I have no experience with super glue in the tank, but the gel kind forms a "protective" cover when it hits the water. So you can squirt some in a hole or crack, and insert the frag, breaking the protective cover, and now you've just accomplished supergluing a frag underwater.

jeffww · Mar 9, 2020

They use super glue as wound clotures. It's not that toxic when cured and has basically 0 solubility in water.

AZMSGT · Mar 9, 2020

BTW, super glue is NOT toxic. You know the medical profession uses it to close large wounds. Yea it’s a medical grade but basically the same thing.

From Bob Smith Industries

Cyanoacrylate is not toxic! The fumes from CA are a vaporized form of the cyanoacrylate monomer that irritate sensitive membranes in the eyes, nose and throat. They immediately are polymerized by the moisture in the membranes and become inert. They do not penetrate into human internal systems. In fact, CA that is used to suture wounds avert some of the infections that occur in stitched wounds. It also eliminates the need for stitch removal because it sloughs off along with the outer layer of skin after a couple of weeks. Cyanoacrylates have been successful in grafting skin, bone and cartilage; repairing eyes; closing dangerously ballooned blood vessels in the abdomen; and stopping spinal fluid leaks.

About 5% of the population can become sensitized to CA fumes after repeated exposure. Just a small exposure can result in flu-like symptoms. Our odorless SUPER-GOLD+™ CAs eliminate any adverse reactions. The most common misnomer about CA is that they contain cyanide and that the fumes will poison you. Not True! Period. Case closed.

Shawn_epicurious · Mar 9, 2020

jeffww said:
They use super glue as wound clotures. It's not that toxic when cured and has basically 0 solubility in water.

I hadn’t thought of that! I’ve super glues cuts before... makes sense

bjc451 · Mar 9, 2020

I have been in the hobby since 2005. I always have used super glue gel. That part hasn’t changed in 15 years

saturn13 · Mar 9, 2020

Shawn_epicurious said:
I have some very persistent little snails... they keep knocking over a few of my smaller corals. So, I picked up an Aquastick (epoxy putty)... like in the old days

I have now read twice and told once my an LFS guy.... to use a drop or two of super glue on the putty itself and then stick it in the tank.

Is that for real? Using super glue in my reef tank?

yup, the gel works best. I put the coral on a plug or similar and drop it in a cup of tank water before placing in my main tank, but it basically seals instatntly.

mike550 · Mar 9, 2020

Shawn_epicurious said:
The LSF guy told me to use the putty... pinch a little off, roll it in a ball ( as little as possible for the job) then squish it a little flat.... put the super glue directly on the putty, stick it to the rock.... glue on the other side, then place it in the tank.

This is exactly what I do. The epoxy is used more to form to irregular shapes with the superglue acting to attach things together. You also don’t need to then hold the pieces in place as the epoxy cures / sets.

Max! · Mar 9, 2020

Super Glue Gel will be your best friend

Mastiffsrule · Mar 9, 2020

Hi,

Use this all the time. Only annoying thing is I end up holding it in place for about a minute. The good thing is I place it on the frag before I put it in the water, the dip it in the water and the gel forms a skin pretty quick so it doesn’t flow all over. It is just the set time that drives me nuts. BRS has an accelerant if I remember, but never used it