Friendly Plastics, PCL.......

[ReeferRob]

Also known as Shapelock. Anyone else have any experience working with it? Im thinking of trying some and giving it a whirl for both coral placement, but also on my re-scape! I ordered a sample of the stuff to play with, maybe some others would want to go in on a larger order? LMK Mostly curious about long term exposure to the conditions of a reef tank etc.
Here's a little video I tripped across on youtube.com where she is using the stuff.

YouTube - Using PCL as a DIY Frag plug

Also curious where she got that nifty temperature gauge!!

[ETBReefer05]

I would be leary of using any type of heated plastic as it will often release some type of gas...I dunno tho, she's used it and it hasn't crashed her tank. lol.

[ReeferRob]

So PCL is Polycaprolactone, it does in fact contain <890 PPM of Toluene normally around 100 PPM. Many people have been using this as a NP reducing pellet in their systems with decent results. The Toluene is basically the carbon source that the "bacteria" colonize on and flourish.

I would say it will take two to three years to bio degrade in you take if used as a frag plug or scape adhesive. This product is also used in the dental and prosthesis industry for internal use and carries FDA approval.

[ETBReefer05]

Well, with that information, I would say its an excellent plastic to use.

[ReeferRob]

Just arrived, time for the kid to take a nap and Daddy to play!!

[ETBReefer05]

Probably gonna order a free sample of this when I see what you've done with it/setup the 60 gal.

[ReeferRob]

Well I did a little playing today, nothing too exciting just a basic frag plug to compare against a new plug and how it react to algae growth etc
Planing on welding a few rocks together maybe tomorrow to get an idea of how well it can hold.
Here's some not so exiting pics of what I did today.
Little pinch in 150 degree water, stir with something not plastic. Pellets turn clear and start to stick together pull and play. After about 5 minutes the plug was white again and completely solid.

[stunreefer]

I saw that vid and was very intrigued... then someone mentioned that it could/does release a fair amount of PO4. Not the end of the world because what doesn't (release PO4), but the amount would be interesting to see. You could put a plug in RO/DI water and test PO4 occasionally to see if/how high the level climbs over time (hint, hint ).

[ReeferRob]

Originally Posted by stunreefer

I saw that vid and was very intrigued... then someone mentioned that it could/does release a fair amount of PO4. Not the end of the world because what doesn't (release PO4), but the amount would be interesting to see. You could put a plug in RO/DI water and test PO4 occasionally to see if/how high the level climbs over time (hint, hint ).

Got it will do........crap Im out of reagent for the Hanna. Hopefully they have them up at Kee's, heading out there in a few.

By the way I put the plug in the grow out tank last night. First observation, material is too light with out coral blows around the tank LOL.

[stunreefer]

Originally Posted by ReeferRob

By the way I put the plug in the grow out tank last night. First observation, material is too light with out coral blows around the tank LOL.

LOL, that doesn't surprise me too much. If this stuff doesn't leach to bad it could take the place of PITA epoxy and such. You mount your coral with just a little bit, then over time the coral encrusts onto the rock and this stuff dissolves.