Underwater epoxy/putty/cement suggestion

[DudeBruh]

Have tried two seperate epoxy/putty and neither bonded well, if anything just became a rock shaped piece that filled the void betweeen the rocks. Wouldn’t even cover the exposed zip tie. Just terrible. So.......

Looking for reccomendations for a ” bonding agent” ( ie: reef epoxy, putty , super glue) that YOU have used and have had good success with using on rock already underwater! Thanks in advance !

 

[Crabby48]

I am new and don’t have my tank setup. That said I’m using Marco rock’s cement. Can’t remember it’s name but look on his web Page. Seems to work well and I didn’t see anyone say anything bad about it.

Never mind I missed the obvious part Underwater

 

[dbl]

I had luck with TLF's AquaStik

 

[cloak]

I've used JB WaterWeld epoxy for years and have never had any problems. This can be found at Walmart and most hardware stores.

 

[DudeBruh]

Did not know JB made reed epoxy, there other adhesive never disappoints so may try this one out.

 

[DudeBruh]

I had luck with TLF's AquaStik

Did you use this under water or while it was out? I believe this is one of the ones I tried and was disappointed with ... maybe if confusing wiTh another.

 

[DarthSimon]

The sticks above have always driven my skimmers crazy for hours and hours. I now just use reef glue to anchor my corals....
There's a few on the market. I have had the best success with EccoTech Marine Glue. I have heard they are all pretty much fancy bottles of Crazy Glue...
What I like is the glue drys and sets super quick. You have about 10-15 seconds to set your rock or coral.... Then you just have to hold it for 30-60 seconds and you are done. I usually shut off my Vortech's and return for about 5-10 to let it fully dry....

 

[dbl]

Did you use this under water or while it was out? I believe this is one of the ones I tried and was disappointed with ... maybe if confusing wiTh another.

The answer is both. Yes, as mentioned I did end up turning of the skimmer for a bit, but it's always worked for me. I had a couple pieces puttied together and in the tank for a few years that I removed. I actually had a difficult time getting them apart.

This is just my experience and heck, maybe I just got lucky.

 

[Amoo]

JB water weld for me

 

[DudeBruh]

JB water weld for me

Will hold and adhere underwater?

 

[Amoo]

Will hold and adhere underwater?

yes and yes

 

[OriginalUserName]

For small fixes gel super glue, otherwise JB water weld. It takes some practice to get the hang of it.

 

[Aquavaj]

I was going through this very question since I'll be aquascaping tonight with live rocks. I too tried those 2 part epoxy putties but it wouldn't stick to the wet rocks. People say to use super glue gel with it on the areas where it will make contact with the rocks. I was not able to try this but I bought more SG to try with.

Another product I'll be trying tonight is Thermomorph, a thermoplastic that melts and becomes pliable when heated but hardens when cool. It's reuseable by simply just heating it again. Some have used it with great success since the cool tank water will quickly harden it.

 

[DudeBruh]

I was going through this very question since I'll be aquascaping tonight with live rocks. I too tried those 2 part epoxy putties but it wouldn't stick to the wet rocks. People say to use super glue gel with it on the areas where it will make contact with the rocks. I was not able to try this but I bought more SG to try with.

Another product I'll be trying tonight is Thermomorph, a thermoplastic that melts and becomes pliable when heated but hardens when cool. It's reuseable by simply just heating it again. Some have used it with great success since the cool tank water will quickly harden it.

My LFS has reccomended that but after there first two failed reccomendations I wanted to hear from experience. Please let me know how it goes !

 

[amazongb]

I like Coraffix by Two Littke Fishes.. it’s the first super glue that when you use it and screw the cap back on it doesn’t glue the cap or clog. The epoxy stick is okay.. I use it to fill a crevice, then super glue the plug to the epoxy. It does cause my skimmer to go nuts so run carbon when you use it..

 

[Aquavaj]

Last night I tried the SG with the putty and it was a hit and miss. It works ok if the rocks sit steady when they're stacked but anything not balanced won't hold.

I then tried the thermoplastic on its own and it too wouldn't stick very well to the wet rocks. Got frustrated and almost gave up but decided to try it with SG too. Success. I don't know if it's because of the plastic that makes the SG bond better to the rock or what but it works way better. I made a formation with 2 rocks and a large shelf that was overhanging from them and carried it from the garage to the tank without it falling apart. Tried it at the tank and it works just as well. I did take out the rock to put the plastic on first but you can do it all underwater if you want. Just be quick so the plastic doesn't harden or the SG dries up before it is in its place. One downside is that when the plastic hardens it turns milky white and quite visible against my purple rocks. If using dry rock it'll be less noticeable.

 

[siggy]

I did'nt have success with epoxy and was wondering about the plastic stuff (sounds good) I recently used nyos reef cement on live rock, a jar is 20-25$ but you mix and form a ball and it hardens in 2 minutes. You have to be quick

 

[tony'stank]

Fluvals epoxy has always worked the best for me. I use superglue gel on the rock side to make it stick

 

[tony'stank]

JB waterweld works well. The only reason I don’t like it is that it inhibits algae growth both green and coralline. I’ve had it look stark white and unnatural for months to years

 

[Fritzhamer]

JB Water weld and the TLF work great. Make sure you mix them by hand really, really well first. I do it until it's warm and soft like bubble gum. As others have mentioned I have a LOT of trouble breaking the bond once its set with both.