super glue? really?

6215 Views 32 Replies 22 Participants Last post by PinoyBoy, Dec 6, 2010

Dave-H

Discussion Starter · Nov 10, 2010

Hello all -

I've read it a few times but I just need to make sure. Super glue to attach anubias to driftwood - really? That stuff seems so chemically (it's a word) and toxicish (ok, that's not a word) that it seems odd to stick it into a living tank.

Just to confirm - anyone have any problems with this technique?

Also, I'm guessing that the super glue won't go away once cured, and I don't want to leave spots of glue on my driftwood if I decide later that I don't want plants in that spot, etc. So, I should try to use very, very little I think

I assume that the technique is to lower the water level dramatically so that the target spot on the wood is not submersed, the put a drop of super glue and just stick the rhizome to it -right?

Any preference between the thin liquid and the gel? The gel sure sound easier to work with

I want to put down just a single anubia to see how it does. I'm guessing that two good drops of gel could hold the rhizome in place. It sounds easy.

But, really super glue in the aquarium? It's just so toxochemonasty!

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Eden Marel

· #2 · Nov 10, 2010

I used the gel. I attached mini pellia to a smooth river rock. Didn't see anything die, but I waited a couple of days to put it in the tank.

Dave-H

Discussion Starter · #3 · Nov 10, 2010

ahh...

Superglue dries super fast, but maybe it can still let out chemicals. is there a standard amount of time to wait for the glue to cure, so that the water doesn't get supernastified? (I'm determined to make up a word for a tank that has nasty chemicals in it!)

IWANNAGOFAST

· #4 · Nov 10, 2010

I use it all the time. It's used in reef tanks too, and they're a lot more sensitive toxochemonasty wise haha.

If you do decide to use super glue, use the gel kind so it doesn't run everywhere. You can use the superglue underwater if you'd like but the glue cures VERY quickly once it touches water so yeah, I would lower the water level so the wood is exposed.

I also use superglue to glue multiple smaller rhizomes together to form a thicker bunch of anubias. It can be used to glue moss to wood as well.

Eden Marel

· #5 · Nov 10, 2010

I put a enough to make it stick. I let it stay out of water for a few minutes while I am waiting a fill a cheap plastic container with some cool tap water. I stick my superglue mini pell in the container and let it sit in there for 24 hours. After 24 hours I dump the water, add the plant to the tank and added some Prime... just for a peace of mind lol. I also superglue some of it to lace rock which I did the same process. Did not see any dead shrimp, snail or guppy bodies.

OverStocked

· #6 · Nov 10, 2010

Just let it dry to a tack and you are fine. If coral fraggers can use it, there is little to fear with our tanks.

Dave-H

Discussion Starter · #7 · Nov 10, 2010

IWANNAGOFAST said:
... toxochemonasty.

nice one!

deleted_user_7

· #8 · Nov 10, 2010

I iced to use the gel all the time with coral in saltwater.

Use the gel, it's fine. Once the gel hits the water it forms a film on the outside and it cures really fast so work quickly.

The regular liquid glue is too hard to work with because it's runny.

Dry the rock or wood you want to glue, doesn't have to be perfectly dry just pat it dry with a paper towel/cloth, put the glue on and press whatever you want to glue onto the rock/wood into the glue, then put it back in the tank.

It's possible to do it all under water but it's easier to do it outside of the tank. You don't need to use a lot glue, and once it touches the water that film is cured pretty much, and the inside under that film cures very fast wen under water.

It's really not that toxic... Don't huff it or anything but bits just super glue.

Epoxy is also used all the time with attaching coral to rock.

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Captivate05

· #9 · Nov 10, 2010

Dave-H said:
...toxochemonasty!

I lol'd at this. About as scientifically specific of my PhD Chemist Dad's "glug".

My grandfather used superglue gel to hold a gash in his arm together so it would heal (he didn't want to go get stitches). I seriously wouldn't recommend it, but it healed just fine on him with no lasting bad effects.

If you're concerned about white spots on your driftwood, try tacking some moss around it. When the moss fills out more, it will look like the anubias is growing out of the moss, and it will really soften the look.

AW0L

· #10 · Nov 10, 2010

Superglue is harmless it becomes inert when exposed to moisture the only thing you should keep it away from is cotton so dont use cotton strings and superglue. its pure cyaniacylite (not the correct spelling) we use it in the ER for quick patch ups

Noahma

· #11 · Nov 11, 2010

All of my anubias are being held down by superglue

isu712

· #12 · Nov 11, 2010

Yep it's safe. The way cyanoacrylate (superglue) works is a polymerization reaction between the monomers initiated by a nucleophile and water makes a great nucleophile. That is why it sets so quickly when it is put in water or when you get it on your fingers (the moisture on them). Check out the wikipedia page on cyanoacrylate if you want to see a picture of the reaction.

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kevmo911

· #13 · Nov 11, 2010

I'm only a few months into this hobby, but I feel like I've had enough success using dark cotton thread that I'll try staying away from glue. I just wrap the thread around the rock/driftwood a few times, pinning the anubias or moss to it. I worry about wanting to transfer the plant, or rescape the driftwood.

Then again, perhaps I'll give the gel superglue a shot (after huffing it) just to see how it works

chicken

· #14 · Nov 11, 2010

I use it all the time, with no ill effect on shrimp, fish, or plants. It is white when it dries, so use it sparingly, or arrange moss or something to cover up the white spots.

Dave-H

Discussion Starter · #15 · Nov 11, 2010

Hm.. white? Well, my experience with super glue is that it's so incredibly sticky that you don't need much. For an Anubia with a short rhizome, say 1.5 inches, maybe just two really small (like 3mm) dots of super glue - one on each end? It is just as strong in the water?

chicken

· #16 · Nov 11, 2010

Um, yeah, it's incredibly sticky, so I end up sticking my fingers together on the first attempt. Then, because I have reduced dexterity, I end up squeezing more than I mean to on the plant and/or rock. So I end up with a white patch. Yeah, I'm that clumsy. :hihi: Still, it works better than thread, or anything else I've tried.

zoragen

· #17 · Nov 11, 2010

I've tried both thread & fishing line several times & they don't stay tied (snails maybe?)

I've not gotten around to getting the glue yet (I kept thinking Krazy Glue - no that's not it:biggrin

And after my other thread I also wondered about the toxicity - tho I've read of tons of people that use it.

EntoCraig

· #18 · Nov 11, 2010

FYI:

Cyanoacrylate is the generic name for cyanoacrylate based fast-acting adhesives such as methyl 2-cyanoacrylate, ethyl-2-cyanoacrylate (commonly sold under trade names like SuperGlue and Krazy Glue) Developed to be non-toxic and less irritating to skin tissue.

Its my favorite aquarium adhesive next to silicone

glassbird

· #19 · Nov 12, 2010

If you need a knot of fishing line to stay tied until the end of time...super glue the knot. I get the small bottles with a brush in the cap, and brush each knot right after I get it tight. Let it dry, snip off the extra line. I snip very close to the knot, just so there is no stiff little bit sticking out ready to damage an eye, or whatever.

mordalphus

· #20 · Nov 14, 2010

Superglue works great. It was developed to use as "liquid stitches" for the military. Specifically for field medics who needed to seal wounds quickly. As soon as uncured superglue hits water it cures instantly so no need to wait before putting it into your tank. The only bad thing is superglue that cures in water turns white. So use sparingly.

1 - 20 of 33 Posts

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