[Adiantum]

I recently I learned about the trick with cellulose acetate and liquid super glue for building hardscape. I would like to try it, but it is hard to know exactly what you are purchasing, looking at cigarette filters/tubes online, as they never seem to tell you what the papers are made of. So I have to assume that they are acetate. But I hate to spend the money not knowing for certain I am getting something I can use.

Is there a preferred brand or source for this stuff? A way to get sheets rather than pre-rolled tubes? Cause try as I might, I can't seem to find just papers that are likely acetate, only pre-rolled things. What about the clear acetate sheets you can get at craft stores?

An article on 2hr aquarist claims that superglue will also react with other plastic materials, like nylon. But doesn't demonstrate it. Has anyone used nylon in a similar way to cigarette filter for connecting hardscape? Does nylon actually work for this? Cause if it works, I could just buy some tulle fabric, which is nylon, and cheap, and use that. Google is not giving me the answers I seek.

 

[richard.hayward.melb]

Can you explain what is the purpose of using cellulose acetate and super glue?

 

[Rob23]

Can you explain what is the purpose of using cellulose acetate and super glue?

The filters are placed between rocks and/or pieces of driftwood, then wetted with the CA glue. A reaction occurs (giving off a little puff of smoke), and the pieces are almost instantly joined. It can be a helpful technique when building up tall hardscapes from multiple pieces.

 

[Mbrman]

I just bought a pack of cigarettes, pulled the filters out, and rolled around a bit to loosen up the fibers. Then douse liberally with thin super glue and press your pieces together. Works like a charm..very strong too!

Dave

 

[Adiantum]

As Rob23 said, it is for joining hardscape together using the chemical reaction of the superglue with the acetate. Apparently quite strong, quick, and easy. I'm kinda interested in alternatives to buying cigarette filters though, for the same purpose of attaching rocks to each other.

 

[puopg]

I recently I learned about the trick with cellulose acetate and liquid super glue for building hardscape. I would like to try it, but it is hard to know exactly what you are purchasing, looking at cigarette filters/tubes online, as they never seem to tell you what the papers are made of. So I have to assume that they are acetate. But I hate to spend the money not knowing for certain I am getting something I can use.

Is there a preferred brand or source for this stuff? A way to get sheets rather than pre-rolled tubes? Cause try as I might, I can't seem to find just papers that are likely acetate, only pre-rolled things. What about the clear acetate sheets you can get at craft stores?

An article on 2hr aquarist claims that superglue will also react with other plastic materials, like nylon. But doesn't demonstrate it. Has anyone used nylon in a similar way to cigarette filter for connecting hardscape? Does nylon actually work for this? Cause if it works, I could just buy some tulle fabric, which is nylon, and cheap, and use that. Google is not giving me the answers I seek.

I have used:

• https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A81UAME
• and a thin liquid super glue: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C32ME6G

I took the paper off so its just the fluff, and then squirted the superglue onto the fluff. Takes about 10 seconds, but it begins to react. I will note, the bond seems stronger between rock to rock, than wood to wood.

I think even paper towels also react in this way.

 

[somewhatshocked]

This does break down eventually, unfortunately. So if you're holding up anything of importance that could come crashing down? Consider using supports and/or just going with properly applied epoxy putty with cyanoacrylate here and there as an assist. Silicone is also terrific.

I wouldn't consider it for longterm use. Maybe in a tank you plan to tear down on a regular basis or in something shallow that you're cool with making repairs in.

Seems to break down much more quickly in acidic parameters for me than in, say, water average hardness and a neutral pH.

 

[puopg]

This does break down eventually, unfortunately. So if you're holding up anything of importance that could come crashing down? Consider using supports and/or just going with properly applied epoxy putty with cyanoacrylate here and there as an assist. Silicone is also terrific.

I wouldn't consider it for longterm use. Maybe in a tank you plan to tear down on a regular basis or in something shallow that you're cool with making repairs in.

Seems to break down much more quickly in acidic parameters for me than in, say, water average hardness and a neutral pH.

Oh really? This is good info to know, since that prolly means at some point im gonna see a little issue with my scape haha. What kind of epoxy putty would you reccomend?

 

[Adiantum]

I have used:

• https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A81UAME
• and a thin liquid super glue: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C32ME6G

I took the paper off so its just the fluff, and then squirted the superglue onto the fluff. Takes about 10 seconds, but it begins to react. I will note, the bond seems stronger between rock to rock, than wood to wood.

I think even paper towels also react in this way.

Yes, I think certain papers it will react with as well. Like regular old copy paper and tissue paper.

This does break down eventually, unfortunately. So if you're holding up anything of importance that could come crashing down? Consider using supports and/or just going with properly applied epoxy putty with cyanoacrylate here and there as an assist. Silicone is also terrific.

I wouldn't consider it for longterm use. Maybe in a tank you plan to tear down on a regular basis or in something shallow that you're cool with making repairs in.

Seems to break down much more quickly in acidic parameters for me than in, say, water average hardness and a neutral pH.

Hmmmmm, interesting. This is good information, thank you! I was considering this technique for a nano that I intend for Caridina shrimp. So it will be some flavor of blackwater, and acidic conditions. Perhaps not the best idea for this application. I do have silicone and epoxy of multiple kinds. But I do like learning and trying new things. And I'm not a big fan of the standard aquarium epoxy putty that I bought a couple years ago and tried for a marine tank.

 

[somewhatshocked]

Oh really? This is good info to know, since that prolly means at some point im gonna see a little issue with my scape haha. What kind of epoxy putty would you reccomend?

I mean, it's a great method for light-weight stuff and in tanks where you can easily make repairs or don't have to worry about weight. I've used it for light-weight wood and some limited stone work in shrimp tanks. But in testing through the years, it's just not a strong enough longterm option for me to recommend. Especially not when it comes to the ways most of us run our modern tanks. Edit: To be clear, I mean most of us run our tanks with a focus on longterm, multi-year success being the goal. Even though some of us (me) also run shrimp tanks that change every year or two.

In terms of putty, I recommend whatever solid brand you can get for the cheapest. Be sure to read reviews. It's certainly not cheap and quality does vary. Be prepared to disguise it - even if you're color-matching. Putty and silicone both involve a ton of patience but I think it's worth the effort to get a great scape if one is in it for the long haul.

Perhaps not the best idea for this application.

May be worth trying - for at least some light-weight applications - in a scape like that. Especially if what you're using isn't heavy or at risk of harming anything. If only to see how it works for you, as I think that's half the fun of tanking.

 

[Adiantum]

I have a bunch of red lava rock; not my favorite, but probably what I'll end up using in this case. Lightweight stuff.

 

[Goodwood]

I have good sucess with the flat cotton swabs usually sold for cosmetic stuff. Pull them apart and saturate with thin superglue. I also like being able to break apart the bond to reuse rock if necessary.