Urgent- Epoxy in Reef Aquarium

[wbholwell]

Does anyone know if using epoxy in a reef tank is harmful? Please respond quick- I've got some curing now on a new piece of equipment and I'm hving doubts!

 

[vettesarebest]

What kind is it?

 

[cameron]

I would think that depends mostly on the type of epoxy. What kind (ingrediants) of epoxy is it?

Most epoxys harden and should be non-corrosive even to salt water. In the future, I would use Marine Epoxy to be safe.

 

[vettesarebest]

I used some epoxy from Home Depot once but that was when I had nothing in the tank. Also I would let it harden fully.

 

[glxtrix]

Maroons15 wrote: Also I would let it harden fully.

:confused2:

 

[wbholwell]

It's Loctite brand 2 part epoxy- the kind hat has a double syringe and you mix the 2 parts togther. I just noticed on the fine print on the back that it says "not for use on potable water systems." What do you think- should I remove it and find something else to use?

 

[burdundi]

What are you using it on?

-Andy

 

[vettesarebest]

I definatly would not use it!! Dont risk it!

 

[glxtrix]

if it has any kind of mold inhibitor in it, do not use it. Personally I'ld just use some crazy glu gel

 

[wbholwell]

I'm using it to secure the overflow box on my DIY refugium. I think I'm going to go pull it off.

 

[burdundi]

Yeah, I agree. Better safe than sorry.

-Andy

 

[cameron]

Looking at a few of the Data Sheets looks like this stuff will break down under wet conditions. I would assume more quickly in salt. I would switch to gel super glue or marine epoxy.

 

[wbholwell]

Thanks for the advice, guys. It's off

 

[george]

You need to use the 100% silicone sealant you can find in Home Depot or Lowes that does NOT have any anti-mildew or antimicrobial agents.

 

[frewl]

are you attaching acrylic to acrylic or what? I got some weld on 16 left over if you are interested.

 

[matttvi]

i used Aquamend, a fiberglass epoxy available at HD. it cures within one hour. I let mine cure in a bucket of saltwater for an hour and then put it in the tank... worked like a charm!

i used it to fasten pieces of LR together...

 

[stanfill reef]

The marine epoxy works great, can be bought at HD, and can be cured in the tank. I use it all the time to place mounted frags on my LR.

 

[kevin]

I am glad that you didn't use that stuff in your tank. It make me a bit worrysome.

 

[kh971]

GE Silicone I for windows and doors, clear, don't use GE II. I has a lower VOC content in it than II. I just glued together my 30 gallon water change container with it. I did my whole 100 gallon sump/refugium out it. Works great. Aquamend from Home Depot is a good product, when gluing a large colony you can put Aquamend around the frag then put Super Glue Gel on the back of the semihard Aquamend and stick it to the rock.

 

[kwl1763]

Actually that will work if you let fully cure first. Many have "optimized" their becketts on RC by filling the 4 big holes and drilling many small ones using that epoxy and it has been fine.

Having said that I would also reccommend either super glue gel or the Aquamend epoxy or both as they are totally reef safe. And as mentioned if it's acrylic Weld-On is really the way to go.