methods to keep rock from falling

miatawnt2b · 10/04/2006, 09:43 AM

I am interested to hear different approaches for keeping rockscapes stable. I am kind of against using epoxy to glue all the rock together since I do like to take things apart and re-scape occasionaly.

Let's hear your ideas.
-J

drummereef · 10/04/2006, 09:49 AM

I just stack mine. I've never had a problem. Some people use zip ties or drill holes in the rock and build a pvc structure. Never had an avalanche yet. Fingers crossed...

ducati1212 · 10/04/2006, 10:55 AM

I debated using epoxy as well but did not for rthe same reason. i like to move stuff around at times. I just tried to fit the rocks in place as best I could. Tried to lock some in place like leggos. I have one or two kinda shaky spots but for the most part it has held up fine.

MayoBoy · 10/04/2006, 11:00 AM

Carbide drill bits, zip ties and fiberglass pins (like those used in Keystone retaining walls)

ReeferAl · 10/04/2006, 11:54 AM

I've used epoxy applied between rocks at strategic points as a stabilization aid. A small amount just around contact points is enough to add alot of stability. There is never any problem getting them back apart. The epoxy bond just isn't that strong. It works well for stabilization despite being relatively weak since it doesn't need much strength for that purpose- mostly it just needs to be incompressable. I don't put it everywhere, just in areas that have a slight tendancy to wobble or move easily.

Allen

SDguy · 10/04/2006, 01:05 PM

I just threaded all mine onto 3/8" acrylic rods. They will never fall over. A must, IMO, for tanks like mine (30" tall but only 18" front to back - impossible to balance).

JonK · 10/04/2006, 03:19 PM

I used acrylic rods as well. Only on the pieces I didn't think I would end up moving. But I didn't epoxy them so if I end up rearranging, the rocks can still be taken apart.

10/04/2006, 09:43 AM	#1
miatawnt2b Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 1,467	methods to keep rock from falling I am interested to hear different approaches for keeping rockscapes stable. I am kind of against using epoxy to glue all the rock together since I do like to take things apart and re-scape occasionaly. Let's hear your ideas. -J

10/04/2006, 09:49 AM	#2
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	I just stack mine. I've never had a problem. Some people use zip ties or drill holes in the rock and build a pvc structure. Never had an avalanche yet. Fingers crossed... __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

10/04/2006, 11:00 AM	#4
MayoBoy Movin' on Up Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Webster Groves, MO Posts: 2,282	Carbide drill bits, zip ties and fiberglass pins (like those used in Keystone retaining walls) __________________ Getting sucked back in slowly but surely. Current Tank Info: 27 gallon freshwater planted cube. Amazonian biotope

10/04/2006, 01:05 PM	#6
SDguy Fish heads unite! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 23,384	I just threaded all mine onto 3/8" acrylic rods. They will never fall over. A must, IMO, for tanks like mine (30" tall but only 18" front to back - impossible to balance). __________________ Peter SDMAS member Marine tanks since 1989. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º> Current Tank Info: 240g butterfly and angel FOWLR. 15g QT.

10/04/2006, 10:55 AM	#3
ducati1212 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Mass Posts: 604	I debated using epoxy as well but did not for rthe same reason. i like to move stuff around at times. I just tried to fit the rocks in place as best I could. Tried to lock some in place like leggos. I have one or two kinda shaky spots but for the most part it has held up fine.

10/04/2006, 11:54 AM	#5
ReeferAl Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Fond du Lac, WI Posts: 2,040	I've used epoxy applied between rocks at strategic points as a stabilization aid. A small amount just around contact points is enough to add alot of stability. There is never any problem getting them back apart. The epoxy bond just isn't that strong. It works well for stabilization despite being relatively weak since it doesn't need much strength for that purpose- mostly it just needs to be incompressable. I don't put it everywhere, just in areas that have a slight tendancy to wobble or move easily. Allen

10/04/2006, 03:19 PM	#7
JonK Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 1,394	I used acrylic rods as well. Only on the pieces I didn't think I would end up moving. But I didn't epoxy them so if I end up rearranging, the rocks can still be taken apart.