What glue to use ?

BMan · May 31, 2016

I need some advice on which glue would be best suited for attaching a plastic coated magnet to the side of a IM Ghost Skimmer. I want to use magnets to keep it in the proper position in my JBJ 28 center compartment.

AllSignsPointToFish · May 31, 2016

Are they plastic coated magnets or teflon coated? The coating material makes a big difference in adhesive selection.

BMan · May 31, 2016

The web site https://www.kjmagnetics.com/blog.asp?p=aquarium states that the magnets are coated in polypropylene plastic.

AllSignsPointToFish · May 31, 2016

Okay, good. At least it's not a teflon coating. I assume the skimmer body is cast acrylic. What is the compartment made of...glass or acrylic?

BMan · May 31, 2016

The compartment is a JBJ 28 so I assume it is acrylic. I don't need to glue anything to the wall of the compartment. I only need to glue one magnet to the IM Ghost skimmer. A second magnet will hold the skimmer in place.

AllSignsPointToFish · May 31, 2016

Okay, then I would try either Gorilla glue (if you can remove the skimmer body to all the adhesive to dry) or 3M marine adhesive 5200. Superglue might also work, but it cures to a rigid attachment point which won't tolerate vibration well.

AllSignsPointToFish · May 31, 2016

The nice part about the adhesive 5200 is that it's super strong yet retains flexibility.

BMan · May 31, 2016

Thanks for the info. I'll look into using 5200

AllSignsPointToFish · May 31, 2016

Yeah, it's a polyurethane glue just similar to Gorilla glue but with better flexibility. I've been told Gorilla glue is reef safe, but I wouldn't use it unless I absolutely had to. I would, however, feel comfortable using the 5200 in my tank if I could remove the equipment to apply the glue and allow it to cure outside of the tank. FYI.

BMan · May 31, 2016

My tank is not up and running. I'm in the building phase. I have plenty of time to glue and let cure.
I emailed the company who sell the magnets with the glue question and they sent a pretty good reply.....

"Art,

I usually recommend using a two-part epoxy to glue magnets. Check out our How to Glue Neodymium Magnets for some good information. "

AllSignsPointToFish · May 31, 2016

BMan said:
My tank is not up and running. I'm in the building phase. I have plenty of time to glue and let cure.
I emailed the company who sell the magnets with the glue question and they sent a pretty good reply.....

"Art,

I usually recommend using a two-part epoxy to glue magnets. Check out our How to Glue Neodymium Magnets for some good information. "

I'm glad they got back to you. I'd be concerned with the epoxy turning loose from getting bumped while cleaning the skimmer cup/body as well as how to get a good epoxy bond to polypropylene.

Just a thought...might not make a difference if the magnets are not as strong as I'm assuming.

BMan · May 31, 2016

I'm probably going to use the 3M 5200.
When I need to remove the skimmer, I'll be pulling the unglued magnet from the tank wall. The glued magnet will not have to be tampered with.

AllSignsPointToFish · May 31, 2016

Fair enough. Hope that helps!

BMan · May 31, 2016

I just ordered a 3oz tube of 3M 5200. Thanks for your help.

AllSignsPointToFish · May 31, 2016

No problem. You'll need like 1/500th of that amount! But, it's useful for many other things as well.

BMan · May 31, 2016

It was cheap enough. I'm sure I'll find more uses for it.

BMan · Jun 3, 2016

I just received two magnetics from kj magnetics. They are extremely strong. I ordered polypropylene plastic covering. Safe for submerging in salt water. I can tell you this....I won't need glue with these things. Neodymium magnets are crazy strong. The size I ordered is 1 1/2" x 3/4"x 3/8". There 100x stronger than any aquarium glass cleaner magnetics.