Being sticky and staying connected: Have you used any reef-safe glue?

[Peace River]

Being sticky and staying connected: Have you used any reef-safe glue?

Whether you are trying to make repairs, get rocks to stick together, make corals stick to rocks, or much more, there are many reasons to use glue (or other types of adhesives) in or around your reef. However, not any glue will work. It is important to only use reef-safe glues so that there will be no negative impact on your fish, coral, or any other part of your saltwater ecosystem. Of course, finding a glue that will continue to work even after it is submerged in saltwater and won’t harm anything in the tank can make some reef keepers a bit tentative. How about you – have you used any reef-safe glue? Please share your experiences and let us know if you have any tips or tricks to share with the R2R community.

Photo by @Pure Fishigan


This QOTD is sponsored by Nutramar: https://www.qualitymarine.com/nutramar/

“Nutramar’s 100% natural food products are used by public aquaria and breeders around the world. They offer superior nutrition to your most finicky and delicate fish and invertebrates.

 

[shakacuz]

i use BRS gel super glue, and polyp labs gel super glue. when in a pinch i go to the dollar store for their cheap yet effective gel super glue.

 

[MnFish1]

I always wondered if there is a difference between regular superglue (gel) - and those marketed for reef tanks. I just used regular gel superglue. Additionally - watch (if you do this in a running tank) - for the fish to immediately rush to chomp on the glue - resulting in a partially/entirely glued together mouth.... (From personal experience)

 

[Dburr1014]

What is reef safe glue??
Any epoxy or superglue is reef safe once it's hard. Unless it has an anti-fungal/anti-mildew additive.
I think most superglues are just labeled reef safe so they can double the price.

 

[BubblesandSqueak]

I have heard from many that super glue is OK but would think they would market that to be reef safe for extra sales and usage. I only use Seachem Reefglue though.

 

[Tactical Reefkeeping]

I use seachem reefsafe glue great stuff and works very affective

 

[B&CinB.C.]

I used Aquaforest stone fix for my aqua scaping . No water in the tank yet. Life keeps getting in the way. A little bit of plumbing to finish up and it will be ready for water.

 

[RockRash]

I used the BRS glue and Marco 400 to do my aquascape.

 

[Biggie&Dinkles]

I refuse to pay the "reef premium" where this isn't required. Cheap gel cyanoacrylate super glue, bought from a hardware store, is what I use

 

[EricR]

Super Glue Gel (original) for frag-to-rock, and very sloppily.
No issues other than "finger stuck to frag/rock" occasionally.

Dollar Store / Tree is often the mantra but tiny tubes in bulk box from Amazon is my go to.

 

[Ben's Pico Reefing]

Loctite super glue ultra gel control. Used this for years.

 

[Reefing_addiction]

Any gel cyanoacrylate


The question we should be asking who uses super glue setter?

I do sometimes depending on what I gluing

 

[Dburr1014]

To add to my other post, I just got out of the shower and been stewing on this question I'm not sure I like it, LOL.

All you new reefers how do you think people from the 60s 70s 80s even '90s were reefing? We've been using this stuff for this long!

It wasn't until a guy had a bright idea to compile all this stuff and make a store called BRS. Then he got smart and started putting labels on it that said reef safe and made extra cash.

Let me give you some examples;



Does any of this stuff say reef safe?
No? Cuz I've been using this stuff in my reef for years. According to the propaganda spread, my tank should have died a long time ago. All you need to use is your common sense and read the label. Make sure there's no metals or antifungal stuff for anti mildew stuff in it and you're good.

 

[RockRash]

Any gel cyanoacrylate


The question we should be asking who uses super glue setter?

I do sometimes depending on what I gluing

I used the the setter on my rock work. It made it nice not having to hold pieces together while the glue dried. Next time I think I'm going to try the thin glue and sand method.

 

[BraindeadBiologist]

Even super glue doesn't hold my frags to the rocks

 

[MnFish1]

What is reef safe glue??
Any epoxy or superglue is reef safe once it's hard. Unless it has an anti-fungal/anti-mildew additive.
I think most superglues are just labeled reef safe so they can double the price.

It is when you want to glue a piece of coral underwater - in the tank. Lets say you break off the frag plug (I always did this - break off the plug, glue onto the rock where I wanted it

 

[Gtinnel]

Yes I have used a lot of reef safe superglue….I buy it from the local Dollar Tree store.

 

[KC2020]

I refuse to pay the "reef premium" where this isn't required. Cheap gel cyanoacrylate super glue, bought from a hardware store, is what I use

This.

Superglue is a registered trademark. Any Methyl cyanoacrylate that is labeled Superglue or Super Glue is identical. If you like paying a premium for a 'reef safe' brand that's your prerogative but it's all the same stuff. The gel versions just have a different viscosity.

 

[MnFish1]

This.

Superglue is a registered trademark. Any Methyl cyanoacrylate that is labeled Superglue or Super Glue is identical. If you like paying a premium for a 'reef safe' brand that's your prerogative but it's all the same stuff.

One comment - the 'gel' component. - A 'non-reef safe' version may have a different 'gel' component. However - you don't need the gel component. IMHO - Plain superglue is enough

 

[rc8t6353]

I use this for frags. It's not that bad price wise and it comes with two nozzles. LFS always has it.