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January 30th, 2009
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| Hot Glue
Has anyone used hot glue on aquarium decorations?
I know I'm supposed to use aquarium safe sealant, but I'm too lazy to go out right now and I'm impatient. lol
If it's not safe, I can wait till I go out. 
Last edited by Lucy; January 30th, 2009 at 03:58 PM.
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January 30th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| I'm trying that out, i glued some ornaments together and put them in water, it doesn't appear to be doing anything to the water. I'll see hoe it goes | |
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January 30th, 2009
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| | Fish Mentor
| I wouldn't use it Lucy. Hot glue hardens into a resin like substance that breaks easily, is water based and is porous, thus we don't use it for water sealing or glueing in the building trade. I'm not saying it won't be ok, because I've never tryed it, but personally I'd stick with aquarium sealant.  | |
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January 30th, 2009
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| Darn, I liked gilbert's answer better. 
I just bought a peice of U shaped PVC pipe and was gonna glue some river rock to it.
I'm more worried about toxicity than anything. | |
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January 30th, 2009
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| | Fish Mentor
| Because it isn't an oil based product, eventually the water will start to dissolve it, then you could have problems. This might take a few days, weeks or months, I'm not sure. Do you have the packaging for the glue? If you can post what exactly is in it then I might be able to tell you if it's toxic. | |
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January 30th, 2009
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| Oh, that's so nice, thanks but I don't have the package any more. | |
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January 30th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| hot glue is ok, depending on the glue stick 
water resistant non toxic is what we use here...and let it cure for 48 hours...dont over use where its dripping...alot goes a long way...heres a pic of an ornament I had to use the glue gun on as I was a brunette and dropped it on the floor.. DSC01156.jpg
but if its for more of a rock cave or structure type thing, id go with nicks knowledge | |
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January 30th, 2009
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| | Fish Mentor
| Oh well. It basically comes down to whether or not it'll break down in the water, and with hot glue it eventually will. Theres probably something in there that the fish won't like! Aquarium sealant is INCREDIBLY toxic, but when it cures it becomes water tight and resistant because it is oil-based, thus not leaking bad stuff into the water. | |
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January 30th, 2009
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| Oh, I found the bag!
It says:
Non toxic Conforms to ASTIM-D4236-88. Safe for contact with food FDA CFR 175.05 | |
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January 30th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| thats what mine said ... what are you using it for? | |
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January 30th, 2009
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| | Fish Mentor
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucy  Oh, I found the bag!
It says:
Non toxic Conforms to ASTIM-D4236-88. Safe for contact with food FDA CFR 175.05 | I'm not telling you not to use it, it might be fine. However I have a can of Fly Spray here which says Non-Toxic on it. But I wouldn't spray it in my fish tank! On the other hand the glue sticks we use over here aren't water resistant, but if yours are then they could be fine. I personally wouldn't use anything in my tanks that might be safe when I know theres a product that is safe though. | |
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January 30th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Shawnie thats what mine said ... what are you using it for? | Look up at post #4. lol | |
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January 30th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucy Look up at post #4. lol |  will my brunette moment excuse work? LOL
nick has more knowledge as far as breaking down goes than i do...I have not a clue about that..but for the pvc piping and just decoration, I think it would be ok as nothing is going to come unglued and fall on anyone..(rock caves will)
im still having moments tho! | |
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January 31st, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Hot glue does not really stick plastics very well if I rememer correctly. I tried one time to make a platform for turtles out of pexi-glass and hot glue and it would just fall apart when the water hit it. | |
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January 31st, 2009
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| I have used hot glue guns to fix aquarium related things before but you have to let it cool and dry over night or it comes back apart. Never had any bad affects from it  I really prefer my big caulking gun with the tube of silicone in it, it's always handy and I don't burn myself when I use it. 
Carol | |
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February 1st, 2009
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| | Fish Mentor
| Why not use Clear Epoxy? Let it cure for a day or two to be safe. Hopefully our chemistry crew will correct this suggestion if I'm wrong.
I read in a couple of DIY plywood tank projects that Epoxy paint is used to make the interior plywood walls waterproof. I don't think they would use it if dangerous, but again, I have no competency in chemistry to affirm this is a good idea or not.
Pepe
Santo Domingo | |
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February 1st, 2009
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| | Fish Mentor
| Quote:
Originally Posted by pepetj Why not use Clear Epoxy? Let it cure for a day or two to be safe. Hopefully our chemistry crew will correct this suggestion if I'm wrong.
I read in a couple of DIY plywood tank projects that Epoxy paint is used to make the interior plywood walls waterproof. I don't think they would use it if dangerous, but again, I have no competency in chemistry to affirm this is a good idea or not.
Pepe
Santo Domingo | Epoxy=Dead fish | |
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February 1st, 2009
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| Quote:
Originally Posted by Nick Goody Epoxy=Dead fish | Why? whats in it that's harmful. Just curious.
I have found several DIY projects suggesting epoxy glue in the aquarium
Carol | |
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