Waterproof glue/epoxy/cement that's safe for aquatic life?

[Howard]

Going to glue in some (likely plastic) platforms in a fish tank. Anybody got recommendations?

 

[Miramonti]

Marine epoxy from HD should be fine once it's cured. Iirc, its 80% cured in 24 hours, and 100% cured in a week. Given how waterproof and solid it cures, I doubt it would give off any measurable toxins of concern.

 

[BoomerD]

There ARE epoxies made for aquarium use, but you can also use Crazy-Glue gel in your tank with no ill effects. People use it to attach coral frags all the time...

 

[spidey07]

Cyano-acrylic glue. aka crazy glue

 

[Eli]

I wouldn't use cyanoacrylates to attach shelving. Unless execution is perfect, you're in for a pain in the ass..

Uh.. here's an idea. How about the same thing that holds your tank together in the first place; aquarium silicone.

 

[BoomerD]

It really does all depend on what materials are being used in the construction. Silicone would be better for glass, but is nearly worthless for bonding acrylic. There are acrylic glues that work fine, as long as they have plenty of time to cure...(but the same has to be said for silicone as well) IF you use silicone, be sure to get one that is "aquarium safe" or at the minimum, says 100% silastic silicone. DO NOT use any of the ones with "mildew inhibitors", as they are toxic, and may kill everything in your tank.

 

[Howard]

I'll probably be using acrylic.

 

[BoomerD]

More info needed...How are you building these? Are you attaching them permanently to the sides of the tank, or will they be freestanding? If attaching them to the tank, what is the tank made of? How much weight are they supposed to hold?

 

[Howard]

Permanently attached to the sides of the tank. Water level is likely to be 12-16". Tank is made of glass.

I was thinking of creating a "dry" partition, but that may be too much force for the adhesive to handle.

 

[Rubycon]

Silicone does NOT work in the long term with acrylics. The bond strength will deteriorate over a period of time due to the petroleum composition "coming out" of the polymer. This will cause "peel away" and the object will fall off!

Marine grade epoxy is your best bet. Not all epoxy is suitable for submerged applications.

Silicone works well in glass to glass applications, however.

CA (Cyanoacrylates - superglue, krazyglue, etc.) are a poor choice.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Rubycon
Silicone does NOT work in the long term with acrylics. The bond strength will deteriorate over a period of time due to the petroleum composition "coming out" of the polymer. This will cause "peel away" and the object will fall off!

Marine grade epoxy is your best bet. Not all epoxy is suitable for submerged applications.

Silicone works well in glass to glass applications, however.

CA (Cyanoacrylates - superglue, krazyglue, etc.) are a poor choice.

meh, most of my corals are attached with CA. works great.

Underwater epoxy works best.

 

[TwiceOver]

I used Aquarium sealant for my first terrarium. I was using it to separate a land and a water section, I needed to use glass because of pressure/bowing of plexi. You should be fine if they are just platforms, depending on weight of course.

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: spidey07


meh, most of my corals are attached with CA. works great.

Underwater epoxy works best.

The application the OP is non living material. Corals are different and reefkeepers often report success with CA. Again, this application is entirely different.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Rubycon

Originally posted by: spidey07


meh, most of my corals are attached with CA. works great.

Underwater epoxy works best.

The application the OP is non living material. Corals are different and reefkeepers often report success with CA. Again, this application is entirely different.

neener...you'wrong.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: Rubycon

Originally posted by: spidey07


meh, most of my corals are attached with CA. works great.

Underwater epoxy works best.

The application the OP is non living material. Corals are different and reefkeepers often report success with CA. Again, this application is entirely different.

neener...you'wrong.

Adding shelving to a tank is quite different than using a dab of superglue to place coral while it establishes itself...

 

[Colt45]

epoxy ftw

 

[BoomerD]

OP, why not make the shelves out of glass instead? Then, silicone would be the best (and easiest) way to attach the shelves to the tank wall.