What Kind Of Super Glue?

I bought Loc-Tite gel super glue for attaching rhizome plants to my driftwood. It worked, but the glue dried an ugly, shocking white.

Does anyone have experience with gel super glue (or not) that dries clear?

PS Did you know? Super glue was developed by NASA as they needed a glue that would work under water.

 

I don't use the gel. I just had to superglue a plant into the base and used regular loc-tite.

 

I use seachem glue it turns white as well try not to put to much on

 

Thanks I bought some of the regular, non-gel.

 

Thanks I bought some of the regular, non-gel.

It requires a bit more patience, but drys clear. Tie it where you want it, glue it, remove ties when dry.

 

I bought Loc-Tite gel super glue for attaching rhizome plants to my driftwood. It worked, but the glue dried an ugly, shocking white.

Does anyone have experience with gel super glue (or not) that dries clear?

PS Did you know? Super glue was developed by NASA as they needed a glue that would work under water.

Weird, I use Loc-tite gel and it dries clear for me. I let it cure underwater though, so I'm not sure if that has anything to do with it.

 

Weird, I use Loc-tite gel and it dries clear for me. I let it cure underwater though, so I'm not sure if that has anything to do with it.

That's interesting...I would have never done that. It's a gel so I guess it's possible. Doesn't need air to cure? Interesting...May have to try that when my tube runs out.

 

That's interesting...I would have never done that. It's a gel so I guess it's possible. Doesn't need air to cure? Interesting...May have to try that when my tube runs out.

I would have thought that too, but I learned from a friend that builds reef setups that he even uses it underwater to glue frags to the live rocks already in the tank. He told me it even seems to cure stronger underwater than in air. It takes longer but because there is oxygen in the water it works.

 

As mentioned above I use the seachem plant glue. It tries white but I try and use as little as possible.

 

I would have thought that too, but I learned from a friend that builds reef setups that he even uses it underwater to glue frags to the live rocks already in the tank. He told me it even seems to cure stronger underwater than in air. It takes longer but because there is oxygen in the water it works.

Superglue doesn't react at all to oxygen. Superglue cures in reaction to water.

 

Superglue doesn't react at all to oxygen. Superglue cures in reaction to water.

Krazy!

Guess that explains why it cures well underwater. Technically water is H2O so it is reacting to the combo of hydrogen and oxygen.

*Edit - just did a little research and it's specifically the hydroxide ion that makes it polymerize

 

Can I use any type of super glue? I have to fix a pump piece and it does touch the water a little. I have Gorilla super glue on hand.

 

Can I use any type of super glue? I have to fix a pump piece and it does touch the water a little. I have Gorilla super glue on hand.

No, not all super glue is non-toxic. If it is pure cyanoacrylate then you can use it. I have no idea what the Gorilla Glue brand is made from.

 

Ok thank you!

 

I just looked at the safety data sheet for Gorilla Glue super glue and it is in fact cyanoacrylate. Go for it.

 

No, not all super glue is non-toxic. If it is pure cyanoacrylate then you can use it. I have no idea what the Gorilla Glue brand is made from.

FYI - I just called Gorilla Glue and they said it was 100% cyanoacrylate and it was safe when dry.

I guess we did that at the same time, good to have extra validation though! Thanks for checking!

 

I guess we did that at the same time, good to have extra validation though! Thanks for checking!

lol I saw that! No problem.

 

I only use Super Glue gel. Easy to find, cheap enough and works perfect. Only need a drop and I can pull anything out of the tank, put a drop on it, put it back in the tank and stick it to whatever. 10 seconds later, BOOM, adhered. Cant argue with that.

 

I only use Super Glue gel. Easy to find, cheap enough and works perfect. Only need a drop and I can pull anything out of the tank, put a drop on it, put it back in the tank and stick it to whatever. 10 seconds later, BOOM, adhered. Cant argue with that.

I glued on my driftwood outside tank, then put the driftwood in the water. So I will try gel underwater as you describe. I am new to live plants and gluing.

 

Pull it out of the tank, put the glue on, hold for 10 seconds (maybe 20 or 30 even) then put it back in. Super easy.

 

I like easy.