Epoxy and rocks

Fish4Me2 · 02/19/2009, 09:30 PM

Anyone have any tricks for using grey epoxy putty (or anything else) to build structures with live rock?

I am aquascaping my new 180, and want an open look. I spent hours getting it right, and I used the grey epoxy putty to join rocks so that I'd have lots of open space. Today, days later, I discover that most of my epoxy joints aren't holding at all - the rocks will separate and fall over with gentle pressure.

Any suggestions on what to use to hold the structure I've got?

zlwags85 · 02/19/2009, 09:35 PM

A lot of people use zipties or drill the rocks and use acrylic rods to hold them together. I'm looking for ideas as well for my 300g and will be taggin along.

Fish4Me2 · 02/19/2009, 09:40 PM

I thought about drilling, but wanted many of the rocks to be just barely touching. That would have meant rods showing through. Here's the look I wanted (excuse the cloudyness from the sand):

Now if I could just get this to stay in place!

Brandon M · 02/19/2009, 09:43 PM

Here are the rods I used to support my live rock pillars in my 315g FOWLR.

They are 3/8" acrylic rods:

I used Weld-On 16 to attach the rods to the 1/4" acrylic sheets.

I got the weld-on 16 from a LFS in my area. You can buy it online here --> LINK

I got the acrylic rods at a local hardware store, but you can buy them online here --> LINK

Also, for the 3/8" acrylic rods I used a 3/4" masonry bit that I bought at Home depot...it was like $10, if I remember correctly. Drilled the perfect sized holes for the 3/8" rods.

More info and pics can be seen by clicking here.

Good luck

Fish4Me2 · 02/19/2009, 10:19 PM

I really like the look of those pillars. Usually I associate rods with the rock wall look, but that looks great.

02/19/2009, 09:30 PM	#1
Fish4Me2 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: TwinCities Posts: 650	Epoxy and rocks Anyone have any tricks for using grey epoxy putty (or anything else) to build structures with live rock? I am aquascaping my new 180, and want an open look. I spent hours getting it right, and I used the grey epoxy putty to join rocks so that I'd have lots of open space. Today, days later, I discover that most of my epoxy joints aren't holding at all - the rocks will separate and fall over with gentle pressure. Any suggestions on what to use to hold the structure I've got?

02/19/2009, 09:43 PM	#4
Brandon M Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 1,116	Here are the rods I used to support my live rock pillars in my 315g FOWLR. They are 3/8" acrylic rods: I used Weld-On 16 to attach the rods to the 1/4" acrylic sheets. I got the weld-on 16 from a LFS in my area. You can buy it online here --> LINK I got the acrylic rods at a local hardware store, but you can buy them online here --> LINK Also, for the 3/8" acrylic rods I used a 3/4" masonry bit that I bought at Home depot...it was like $10, if I remember correctly. Drilled the perfect sized holes for the 3/8" rods. More info and pics can be seen by clicking here. Good luck __________________ Brandon Current Tank Info: 315g 84"x24"x36" FOWLR

02/19/2009, 09:35 PM	#2
zlwags85 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Metamora, Il Posts: 378	A lot of people use zipties or drill the rocks and use acrylic rods to hold them together. I'm looking for ideas as well for my 300g and will be taggin along.

02/19/2009, 09:40 PM	#3
Fish4Me2 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: TwinCities Posts: 650	I thought about drilling, but wanted many of the rocks to be just barely touching. That would have meant rods showing through. Here's the look I wanted (excuse the cloudyness from the sand): Now if I could just get this to stay in place!

02/19/2009, 10:19 PM	#5
Fish4Me2 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: TwinCities Posts: 650	I really like the look of those pillars. Usually I associate rods with the rock wall look, but that looks great.