Underwater glue/adhesive?

[toeknee]

Curious if there's such a thing as glue or a type of adhesive that can be used underwater. I've been fiddling with a rescape and finally got my hardscape to where I want it but it's pretty precariously set up. If there's no such thing I'll need to drain my tank 90% to be able to use superglue to lock everything in place. I'm sure the fish would be fine doing this but just wondering if anyone knows of an underwater adhesive to save from needing to drain the tank?

 

[Fishfur]

Curious if there's such a thing as glue or a type of adhesive that can be used underwater. I've been fiddling with a rescape and finally got my hardscape to where I want it but it's pretty precariously set up. If there's no such thing I'll need to drain my tank 90% to be able to use superglue to lock everything in place. I'm sure the fish would be fine doing this but just wondering if anyone knows of an underwater adhesive to save from needing to drain the tank?

Unfortunately, superglues cure with water so you cannot use them underwater. They’ll cure before you can apply them.

But you can do this with two part epoxy putty made for this kind of purpose, like this one.

Aquascape Construction Epoxy Coraline Algae Colour (113.4g)

 

[jackywacky]

Any cyanoacrylate superglue is safe but it has to be strictly that. I use the fluval glue for my tanks:

 

[davidsaquanook]

Any cyanoacrylate superglue is safe but it has to be strictly that. I use the fluval glue for my tanks:

I have had success with cyanoacrulate as well. Definitely read the product label to ensure there's nothing else in it though.

 

[Fishfur]

I have had success with cyanoacrulate as well. Definitely read the product label to ensure there's nothing else in it though.

Cyanoacrylate glues are perfectly safe to use - there’s nothing toxic in them once they’re cured. But you can’t use them to glue anything while it is still under the water because the super glues cure with moisture. Moisture in the air is what cures them above water but if you try to glue anything with them that is still under the water, the glue will cure as it is exiting the tube and be useless.

toeknee was asking if there was anything that would work while the rocks are still under water so as not to have to drain the tank.

 

[davidsaquanook]

Cyanoacrylate glues are perfectly safe to use - there’s nothing toxic in them once they’re cured. But you can’t use them to glue anything while it is still under the water because the super glues cure with moisture. Moisture in the air is what cures them above water but if you try to glue anything with them that is still under the water, the glue will cure as it is exiting the tube and be useless.

toeknee was asking if there was anything that would work while the rocks are still under water so as not to have to drain the tank.

That's correct, sorry I misunderstood the original post about the water level. That's multitasking for you- messed with my comprehension :/

 

[Fishfur]

That's correct, sorry I misunderstood the original post about the water level. That's multitasking for you- messed with my comprehension :/

Happens to us all.

 

[toeknee]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I decided to just drain the tank to about 85% and was able to get everything glued down.

Used a method I've seen on MD Fishtanks youtube channel. Places little wads of tissue paper at all the contact points needing to be glued. Then saturated to paper with super glue, afterwards I used a spray that instantly sets the superglue. Gave it about 10 minutes to cure anyways and filled back up. All the inhabitants are doing fine and parameters are good.

Here's the tank and scape now. The dwarf hairgrass got spread out and needs to fill in some, as do some a couple stem plant areas. A little hazy after the water change.

 

[Fishfur]

That looks absolutely amazing.

 

[jackywacky]

Used a method I've seen on MD Fishtanks youtube channel.

Yep! I love MD!

 

[toeknee]

That looks absolutely amazing.

Thanks! A forever work in progress.

Yep! I love MD!

Yep! I love MD!

Definitely my current favorite aquarium channel!