daveb056 Posted November 2, 2022 Share Posted November 2, 2022 Which would you recommend? Want to build a cave feature out of lava rock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Cory Posted November 2, 2022 Administrators Share Posted November 2, 2022 Early in my career I tried using hot glue to attach anubias to things. It didn't hold very well, maybe 1 in 10 kept their hold for over a week. It was an attempt to save money and hot glue was easy to work with. Unfortunately back then I went back to working with super glue gel. Silicone should work, just takes a longer time to dry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveb056 Posted November 2, 2022 Author Share Posted November 2, 2022 Thanx so much, Cory. Pretty much what I was thinking. Hot glue is fast and easy, but silicone I think gives better, longer lasting adhesion. I'm not in a hurry, so silicone it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOtrees Posted November 2, 2022 Share Posted November 2, 2022 I’d go with the super glue gel. Or do like scapers and use regular super glue with a filler like cotton balls or filter floss to increase surface contact area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveb056 Posted November 2, 2022 Author Share Posted November 2, 2022 I hate the way super glue turns white; silicone dries clear. Will mix some with pulverized lava rock to blend in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOtrees Posted November 2, 2022 Share Posted November 2, 2022 (edited) One thing to watch for if you go with silicone. The tube in your pic is "mold free". I can't see any details, but I think that refers to their Silicone II product, which I've always read is not aquarium safe. As I understand it, you need their Silicone I product, which has blue and white package. [edit... reading closer, and checking online, your tube says "7 years mold free", which appears to align with their silicone 1 or I line. If that's the case, you're good] Edited November 2, 2022 by TOtrees Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveb056 Posted November 2, 2022 Author Share Posted November 2, 2022 Good looking out, TOtrees. I'm actually using the GE Silicone I in the caulk gun you can just see the handle of hanging from the sawhorse. The product in the tube is GE Silicone II: not sure if it's fish/shrimp safe or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tolstoy21 Posted November 2, 2022 Share Posted November 2, 2022 (edited) I often rubber band them to lava rock. Looks not so great, but I find it easier than thread, and once the anubias grabs hold you just snip off the rubber band. I hate using super glue, but that works decently as well. Edited November 3, 2022 by tolstoy21 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nabokovfan87 Posted November 3, 2022 Share Posted November 3, 2022 (edited) On 11/2/2022 at 1:58 PM, TOtrees said: One thing to watch for if you go with silicone. The tube in your pic is "mold free". I can't see any details, but I think that refers to their Silicone II product, which I've always read is not aquarium safe. As I understand it, you need their Silicone I product, which has blue and white package. [edit... reading closer, and checking online, your tube says "7 years mold free", which appears to align with their silicone 1 or I line. If that's the case, you're good] Good eye. I also wanted to note, some others have reported issues with hot glue and some experiences over time. It might be worth a search on the forums for "hot glue" and see what sticks out. Based on what I've read it's not something you'd want to use in an aquarium scenario, especially submerged. On 11/2/2022 at 2:23 PM, daveb056 said: The product in the tube is GE Silicone II: not sure if it's fish/shrimp safe or not. It might be. The MSDS / Ingredients should say 100% Silicone, this one says it at the top on the tube. If it is the mold resistant one, then no. Quote What's the difference between GE Silicone 1 sealant and GE Silicone 2® sealant? GE Silicone 2® sealant is what's called a “neutral cure” silicone, which means no acids are released during the curing process (as there are in GE Silicone 1 sealant). Edited November 3, 2022 by nabokovfan87 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nabokovfan87 Posted November 3, 2022 Share Posted November 3, 2022 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveb056 Posted November 3, 2022 Author Share Posted November 3, 2022 Perfect! That video was exactly what I needed. I began using the GE Silicone I, believing it was fish safe, then started to doubt that halfway thru my build. So glad to know I don't have to start over, or pay for the aquarium branded products. Thanx!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanked Posted November 3, 2022 Share Posted November 3, 2022 Hot glue and lava rock should work well together due to the porosity of the lava rock. I hot glued antenna cables to the side of my brick house to avoid drilling holes, and it held for years. I have used silicone to build decorations, but wasn't happy with the results, or the time required. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSwissAquarist Posted November 4, 2022 Share Posted November 4, 2022 (edited) On 11/2/2022 at 6:14 PM, daveb056 said: Which would you recommend? Want to build a cave feature out of lava rock. Rubber bands work great, but for glueing stuff together my go-to is silicone and the feature is held in place with rubber bands while it dries. Edited November 4, 2022 by TheSwissAquarist Spelingg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveb056 Posted November 8, 2022 Author Share Posted November 8, 2022 Tanked: thanx for this. I built the hide using silicone, but I'm not happy with it, too much flex. After reading your post, I think I'm gonna redo it with hot glue. Thanx for all the responses; I'll post a pic when it's all done 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now