Securing aquascape?

xanthurum · 12/11/2013, 09:50 AM

Its time to start prepping for my new tank and I am going with a very creative aquascape. So I wanted to know what you feel is the best way to "glue" my rocks together. I am planning on abot 7 pillars some of which will be connected with bridges and overhangs so it has to be very secure. This will be a 365 gallon 8+ foot tank. Any suggestions?

thegrun · 12/11/2013, 09:58 AM

I prefer to drill and dowel my rockwork (use fiberglass or acrylic rods as dowels for most rocks, PVC pipe for very large rocks).

GroktheCube · 12/11/2013, 09:59 AM

The thorite cement that Marco Rocks sells is probably the absolute best way. Drilling through the rock and using acrylic rods + zip ties or epoxy also works reasonably well.

Reef safe epoxy is OK, but doesn't hold all that strongly. It's more useful for adding some final extra stability to rocks that are already held firmly in place.

cbashaw · 12/11/2013, 10:18 AM

I drilled my rock and used fiberglass rods from driveway reflectors.
I like that it's stable but I can easily remove a rock if I need to.

The Marco Rocks cement can also be very stable and works great, especially if you want to fill gaps and make multiple rocks look like a single rock, but once it's cemented there's no going back without a hammer and chisel.

xanthurum · 12/11/2013, 01:05 PM

Should have stated earlier this is dry rock. Used to be live rock it has been set out to dry to make it easier to witk with since i wont be trying to rush.

KirbyBTF · 12/11/2013, 01:09 PM

Rushing is not going to happen, it took me three days to glue my 7.5g scape together. I used the 2 part Loktite epoxy, and used two full tubes just on my small scape. For the larger pieces holding a lot of weight I used the gel and the 2 part epoxy putty to support it. It takes quite a while to set and be completely secured.

xanthurum · 12/11/2013, 07:31 PM

Loctite epoxy? What kind and is it reef safe?

KirbyBTF · 12/11/2013, 09:10 PM

I guess all types are reef safe. It puts off a gnarly smell but seems to do ok in everyone's tanks. Mine was just normal loctite gel.

710RAY · 07/14/2014, 06:02 PM

im going with the drill & rod way, here are some i found on ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/371046335460...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

12/11/2013, 09:50 AM	#1
xanthurum Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Surprise Arizona Posts: 915	Securing aquascape? Its time to start prepping for my new tank and I am going with a very creative aquascape. So I wanted to know what you feel is the best way to "glue" my rocks together. I am planning on abot 7 pillars some of which will be connected with bridges and overhangs so it has to be very secure. This will be a 365 gallon 8+ foot tank. Any suggestions? __________________ Why is this so addictive. Current Tank Info: You want to know just ask

12/11/2013, 01:05 PM	#5
xanthurum Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Surprise Arizona Posts: 915	Should have stated earlier this is dry rock. Used to be live rock it has been set out to dry to make it easier to witk with since i wont be trying to rush. __________________ Why is this so addictive. Current Tank Info: You want to know just ask

12/11/2013, 07:31 PM	#7
xanthurum Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Surprise Arizona Posts: 915	Loctite epoxy? What kind and is it reef safe? __________________ Why is this so addictive. Current Tank Info: You want to know just ask

12/11/2013, 09:58 AM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I prefer to drill and dowel my rockwork (use fiberglass or acrylic rods as dowels for most rocks, PVC pipe for very large rocks).

12/11/2013, 09:59 AM	#3
GroktheCube Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 2,063	The thorite cement that Marco Rocks sells is probably the absolute best way. Drilling through the rock and using acrylic rods + zip ties or epoxy also works reasonably well. Reef safe epoxy is OK, but doesn't hold all that strongly. It's more useful for adding some final extra stability to rocks that are already held firmly in place.

12/11/2013, 10:18 AM	#4
cbashaw Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Urbana, MD Posts: 330	I drilled my rock and used fiberglass rods from driveway reflectors. I like that it's stable but I can easily remove a rock if I need to. The Marco Rocks cement can also be very stable and works great, especially if you want to fill gaps and make multiple rocks look like a single rock, but once it's cemented there's no going back without a hammer and chisel.

12/11/2013, 01:09 PM	#6
KirbyBTF Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 659	Rushing is not going to happen, it took me three days to glue my 7.5g scape together. I used the 2 part Loktite epoxy, and used two full tubes just on my small scape. For the larger pieces holding a lot of weight I used the gel and the 2 part epoxy putty to support it. It takes quite a while to set and be completely secured.

12/11/2013, 09:10 PM	#8
KirbyBTF Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 659	I guess all types are reef safe. It puts off a gnarly smell but seems to do ok in everyone's tanks. Mine was just normal loctite gel.

07/14/2014, 06:02 PM	#9
710RAY Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: new jersey Posts: 77	im going with the drill & rod way, here are some i found on ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/371046335460...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT