Aquascaping (stacking rocks) advise needed

Reefbox · 05/07/2009, 07:02 PM

I'm planning on building some vertical pillars, edges and ledges from smaller pieces of live rock.

What is the easiest way for me to hold the rock together and keep it together? I'm thinking about driling the rock and inserting some type of peg into the rock. What should I use for a pegs?

Thanks

Flipper62 · 05/07/2009, 07:52 PM

Some people have posted here that they used fiberglass rods the ones that you get from home depot that are used for driveway markers.

I just use the 2 part epoxy putty to hold the rocks. I just use a very small amount. Just enough to keep the rock in place, this way if I want to move it later it comes apart with just a twist.

nikon187 · 05/07/2009, 08:56 PM

look into acrylic rods to stack your rocks after drilling. Check under plastics in the yellow pages and i'm sure you will find somewhere that has acrylic

Blazer88 · 05/07/2009, 09:28 PM

I used 3/8" acrylic rods and they worked out great. I used a cheap masonry bit from Lowes for the drilling.

Flipper62 · 05/07/2009, 09:54 PM

I dont know if you have ever heard of a place called McMaster-Carr. Its a industrial supply place. www.mcmaster.com

They have all kinds of plastic / acrylic rods.

FutureBoyGenius · 05/08/2009, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Flipper62
Some people have posted here that they used fiberglass rods the ones that you get from home depot that are used for driveway markers.

I just use the 2 part epoxy putty to hold the rocks. I just use a very small amount. Just enough to keep the rock in place, this way if I want to move it later it comes apart with just a twist.

I had great success with the fiberglass reflector rods. Just use a masonry bit to drill the holes. The holes are loose enough so that I can move the rocks anytime I desire.

Good luck.

becact · 05/08/2009, 03:47 AM

For a rock that is simply precariously balanced or that doesn't have much contact with the rock below (like a small rock used as a ledge), I use epoxy between the contact points, and zip tie the rocks together overnight to give the epoxy a chance to dry completely. Once it's dry you can remove the tie and it will hold quite well!

Amp2020 · 05/08/2009, 03:44 PM

how about using nylon screws to insert into the holes? Just cut off the head and you have a nice strong ribbed rod. Should hold well and not slip out.

Reefbox · 05/09/2009, 07:14 AM

Thanks for the ideas.

I'll be doing some experimenting soon.

darkdruid · 05/09/2009, 09:38 AM

The thick plastic coat hangers work great too. Super cheap and easy to cut.

05/07/2009, 07:02 PM	#1
Reefbox Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Butler, PA Posts: 1,045	Aquascaping (stacking rocks) advise needed I'm planning on building some vertical pillars, edges and ledges from smaller pieces of live rock. What is the easiest way for me to hold the rock together and keep it together? I'm thinking about driling the rock and inserting some type of peg into the rock. What should I use for a pegs? Thanks __________________ Jason

05/07/2009, 07:52 PM	#2
Flipper62 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Naperville, Il. Business Owner, President & CEO Posts: 3,045	Some people have posted here that they used fiberglass rods the ones that you get from home depot that are used for driveway markers. I just use the 2 part epoxy putty to hold the rocks. I just use a very small amount. Just enough to keep the rock in place, this way if I want to move it later it comes apart with just a twist. __________________ If todays automobile had followed the same development as the computer, A Rolls Royce would cost $100.00. It would get a million miles per gallon, but it would explode once a year killing everyone inside." Current Tanks... 90 gal Reef... My awesome Office BioCube....( 180 was on hold ..no time ) ... The 180 gal has been sold...Yay..yay..yay. Hobby Experience: 19 years Reef...22 years FW

05/07/2009, 08:56 PM	#3
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	look into acrylic rods to stack your rocks after drilling. Check under plastics in the yellow pages and i'm sure you will find somewhere that has acrylic __________________ ----------------- Current Tanks: New 210 custom 84 x 24 x 24, 60g sump, SWC 250 extreme with bubble blaster 5000, 2 vortech mp40, 2 vortech mp10, 12 T5, Water blaster 5000, warner marine bio pellets, 60g clownfish cube, red carpet anemone with a 25g sump,SRO octopus 1000sss, 250w radium, lumenarc large.

05/07/2009, 09:54 PM	#5
Flipper62 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Naperville, Il. Business Owner, President & CEO Posts: 3,045	I dont know if you have ever heard of a place called McMaster-Carr. Its a industrial supply place. www.mcmaster.com They have all kinds of plastic / acrylic rods. __________________ If todays automobile had followed the same development as the computer, A Rolls Royce would cost $100.00. It would get a million miles per gallon, but it would explode once a year killing everyone inside." Current Tanks... 90 gal Reef... My awesome Office BioCube....( 180 was on hold ..no time ) ... The 180 gal has been sold...Yay..yay..yay. Hobby Experience: 19 years Reef...22 years FW

05/08/2009, 03:44 PM	#8
Amp2020 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Richmond near A.A. Posts: 1,203	how about using nylon screws to insert into the holes? Just cut off the head and you have a nice strong ribbed rod. Should hold well and not slip out. __________________ Victor Current Tank Info: None.

05/07/2009, 09:28 PM	#4
Blazer88 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 2,415	I used 3/8" acrylic rods and they worked out great. I used a cheap masonry bit from Lowes for the drilling.

05/08/2009, 03:47 AM	#7
becact Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: South Dakota Posts: 550	For a rock that is simply precariously balanced or that doesn't have much contact with the rock below (like a small rock used as a ledge), I use epoxy between the contact points, and zip tie the rocks together overnight to give the epoxy a chance to dry completely. Once it's dry you can remove the tie and it will hold quite well!

05/09/2009, 07:14 AM	#9
Reefbox Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Butler, PA Posts: 1,045	Thanks for the ideas. I'll be doing some experimenting soon. __________________ Jason

05/09/2009, 09:38 AM	#10
darkdruid Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 520	The thick plastic coat hangers work great too. Super cheap and easy to cut. __________________ Get all the fools on your side and you can be elected to anything. Current Tank Info: 46 gallon bowfront and 35 gallon mixed reefs, several 10 and 20 gallon frag tanks, beginning a 125 build