Which epoxy is safe

[bobbyreefs]

Just wondering what you pros have to say about using regular epoxy for building rock to aquascape. I've had my tank running for 2 weeks and before I pull the trigger to put fish in I want to take advantage of t with only rock and do it right. Every time I look at the rock I wish it was piled with ledges but I have a bare bottom so I want to make sure my bare bottom stay in 1 piece. Lol. TYI

 

[McPuff]

Consider using e-marco 400. It's a hydraulic cement that works very well to create rock structures. It'll set pretty quickly (1-2 hours) and it will cure underwater. In my experience it does not leach anything into the water. This is much stronger than epoxy and allows you to build overhangs, ledges, caves, etc. Epoxy will work ok but you need to use a lot more, it's more expensive [per unit volume], and it will break much more easily.

If you're set on using epoxy, I recommend DD Aquascape putty. It's pink so it doesn't stand out like most of the white putty you'll find. It also holds very well. I use this often but for mounting corals... have used it to secure rocks but not "load bearing" rocks/structures.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Pretty much all epoxies are reef safe as long as they don't contain metal fillers.

 

[bobbyreefs]

Consider using e-marco 400. It's a hydraulic cement that works very well to create rock structures. It'll set pretty quickly (1-2 hours) and it will cure underwater. In my experience it does not leach anything into the water. This is much stronger than epoxy and allows you to build overhangs, ledges, caves, etc. Epoxy will work ok but you need to use a lot more, it's more expensive [per unit volume], and it will break much more easily.

If you're set on using epoxy, I recommend DD Aquascape putty. It's pink so it doesn't stand out like most of the white putty you'll find. It also holds very well. I use this often but for mounting corals... have used it to secure rocks but not "load bearing" rocks/structures.

I think this is the answer I was looking for. Building the ledges out if flat dry rock is definitely what I want to do. Thank you my friend.

 

[Sailingeric]

When you start adding coral, the JB Weld for potable water is reef safe and looks exactly like what you see in the LFS

 

[shred5]

I have never had luck with epoxy. It does not stick well when things are wet. It seems to crumble allot or disintegrate over time, takes long to cure.

I have uses either superglue gel , or the cements like Nyos or Aquaforest. I am now trying Marco, I believe they are close to the same product and they work well...
The Cement/mortar is the best way to go in my opinion for rock. they last for ever, mater of fact once dried it is very hard to ever get them apart again.

 

[bobbyreefs]

I have never had luck with epoxy. It does not stick well when things are wet. It seems to crumble allot or disintegrate over time, takes long to cure.

I have uses either superglue gel , or the cements like Nyos or Aquaforest. I am now trying Marco, I believe they are close to the same product and they work well...
The Cement/mortar is the best way to go in my opinion for rock. they last for ever, mater of fact once dried it is very hard to ever get them apart again.

Cement it is. I want to do a fairly dangerous scape with lots of ledges and hopefully 3 stacks. Thank you all for the input. Gonna head to Florida dry rock and order some flat rock.

 

[shred5]

Cement it is. I want to do a fairly dangerous scape with lots of ledges and hopefully 3 stacks. Thank you all for the input. Gonna head to Florida dry rock and order some flat rock.

Yea I have been hearing good things about the Marco product. I think it may have a accelerator with it so it cures faster than the others but I have not used it yet.
I will be in a few weeks

I have used Aqauforest Stone fix and Nyos reef cement...

With ledges some acrylic rods can help especially so you do not have to hold the stuff till it cures for ledges and overhangs.

 

[Be102]

Yea I have been hearing good things about the Marco product. I think it may have a accelerator with it so it cures faster than the others but I have not used it yet.
I will be in a few weeks

I have used Aqauforest Stone fix and Nyos reef cement...

With ledges some acrylic rods can help especially so you do not have to hold the stuff till it cures for ledges and overhangs.

Did you use it?