What hardware store epoxy is reef safe?

[mdb_talon]

So ok for adhesion?

I would still say it is really very poor at adhesion by itself. I mean it can work if use appropriately but without using superglue dont expect it to really stick well on its own to anything. If molded around rocks and doing it in a way it is "locked" in place it works great

 

[outhouse]

Most epoxy putty is reef safe. I don't know of any epoxy that isn't. Many used to makes tanks out of fiberglass resin. I've had no problem getting putty to stick to live rock provided you install before it starts to set

 

[GHOSTLY]

Most epoxy putty is reef safe. I don't know of any epoxy that isn't. Many used to makes tanks out of fiberglass resin. I've had no problem getting putty to stick to live rock provided you install before it starts to set

No live stock rn

 

[EricR]

I would still say it is really very poor at adhesion by itself. I mean it can work if use appropriately but without using superglue dont expect it to really stick well on its own to anything. If molded around rocks and doing it in a way it is "locked" in place it works great

I'm going for the IO HoldFast epoxy you showed a pic of earlier in this thread,,, unless someone talks me out of it. It's cheaper than J-B WaterWeld on Amazon right now for 4 oz.

Saw multiple posts online complaining that coralline never grew on exposed epoxy (in general, not HoldFast specifically) but I assume it just takes longer than on porous, natural rock -- anyone have comments on that?

*went all out stupid last night, just thinking about how I could do it, then testing the waters, and ended up with one of my structures completely disassembled with rocks laying all over the sand -- didn't really go back together the way I originally had it,,, oops. Stable enough for now but next time I want to be ready and epoxy-bond whatever I can.

 

[mdb_talon]

Saw multiple posts online complaining that coralline never grew on exposed epoxy (in general, not HoldFast specifically) but I assume it just takes longer than on porous, natural rock -- anyone have comments on that?

Never ran into an issue with it myself other than that usually epoxy bonds by its nature are in crevices where rocks meet or at the bottom of rocks where there is often less light

 

[bruno3047]

I'm going for the IO HoldFast epoxy you showed a pic of earlier in this thread,,, unless someone talks me out of it. It's cheaper than J-B WaterWeld on Amazon right now for 4 oz.

Saw multiple posts online complaining that coralline never grew on exposed epoxy (in general, not HoldFast specifically) but I assume it just takes longer than on porous, natural rock -- anyone have comments on that?

*went all out stupid last night, just thinking about how I could do it, then testing the waters, and ended up with one of my structures completely disassembled with rocks laying all over the sand -- didn't really go back together the way I originally had it,,, oops. Stable enough for now but next time I want to be ready and epoxy-bond whatever I can.

I could never get coralline algae to grow on the water weld. In fact, it seems to repel it. That’s why I use this now

https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/coralline-purple-reef-epoxy-2-oz-oceans-wonders/
I hated looking at those white/gray spots on my rock work

 

[Big E]

I have been using Rectorseal Ep-200 for years. It's the least expensive and most people miss it because it is not in the glue section at HD. It's in the plumbing section by the pvc fittings. Look for it on the shelf just above eye level

Each tube is $3.81, so close to half the price as the other two part brands.

 

[EricR]

I have been using Rectorseal Ep-200 for years. It's the least expensive and most people miss it because it is not in the glue section at HD. It's in the plumbing section by the pvc fittings. Look for it on the shelf just above eye level

Each tube is $3.81, so close to half the price as the other two part brands.

Good tip.
This is inconsequential but at $3.81 for 2 oz., the IO HoldFast is actually cheaper right now at $5.59 for 4 oz. Figure I'll buy maybe 12 oz. to safely have enough on hand (hopefully).

Anyway, just considering if I care about the dry color at all or not but probably not.

 

[Tsquared]

Walmart by me carries JB Water Weld.

 

[Big E]

Good tip.
This is inconsequential but at $3.81 for 2 oz., the IO HoldFast is actually cheaper right now at $5.59 for 4 oz. Figure I'll buy maybe 12 oz. to safely have enough on hand (hopefully).

Anyway, just considering if I care about the dry color at all or not but probably not.

Good to know, I haven't priced other brands on the net for quite some time. I just know Rectorseal is the least expensive at HD.

I think I'll nab some of that Holdfast from Amazon while I have prime for free shipping and see if it performs different.

 

[Dburr1014]

Rn I'm currently aquascaping again and ill be taking the rocks out. I have a home depot card but have no time to go to my lfs. What brand and kind of epoxy dries when water is near, is reef safe, and will be able to hold mu rock

This in the electrical department. Been using it for 20+ years.

 

[juarec0201]

Hi, don’t mean to jack this post. Just wondering if any one has encountered epoxy turning black and smelling bad. I bought some gonis and the plug/rock had epoxy then the frag. Goni looks good but I could smell something so I took the plug off. When it separated it was black in between rock/epoxy and that’s where the odor was. Having a pain getting the epoxy off the goni currently.

 

[Dburr1014]

Hi, don’t mean to jack this post. Just wondering if any one has encountered epoxy turning black and smelling bad. I bought some gonis and the plug/rock had epoxy then the frag. Goni looks good but I could smell something so I took the plug off. When it separated it was black in between rock/epoxy and that’s where the odor was. Having a pain getting the epoxy off the goni currently.

No worries This Thread is 3 months old no hijacking. I've never heard of any epoxy turning black. Is it hard or gummy?

 

[vtecintegra]

Hi, don’t mean to jack this post. Just wondering if any one has encountered epoxy turning black and smelling bad. I bought some gonis and the plug/rock had epoxy then the frag. Goni looks good but I could smell something so I took the plug off. When it separated it was black in between rock/epoxy and that’s where the odor was. Having a pain getting the epoxy off the goni currently.

Nope

 

[juarec0201]

No worries This Thread is 3 months old no hijacking. I've never heard of any epoxy turning black. Is it hard or gummy?

It was hard, I was initially gonna leave it until I dipped them and noticed the smell. Was a pain to get off the frag. I was under the impression most epoxy was safe when cured. Anyway here’s a picture of what smelled between epoxy and plug.

 

[Dburr1014]

It was hard, I was initially gonna leave it until I dipped them and noticed the smell. Was a pain to get off the frag. I was under the impression most epoxy was safe when cured. Anyway here’s a picture of what smelled between epoxy and plug.

What did it smell like? Sulpher?

 

[juarec0201]

Yes smelled rotten, glad I dipped and found it!