What do I use to secure rocks and corals together

RussC · 08/04/2017, 07:53 AM

I'm near building my aquascape and would like to secure the rock. What can I use to do that? Also, once I add coral, how do I secure them to the rock?

ahuaia · 08/04/2017, 07:56 AM

Just use reef safe epoxy you can get it at most fish stores or online.

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mcgyvr · 08/04/2017, 08:00 AM

Friction..
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=872

JohnZena · 08/04/2017, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RussC

I'm near building my aquascape and would like to secure the rock. What can I use to do that? Also, once I add coral, how do I secure them to the rock?

I used Paleo Bond from Bulk Feef Supply. It is called Jurassic Gel PB4540. Its like a gel Crazy Glue, it sets relatively fast and dries clear. I love it.

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JohnZena · 08/04/2017, 08:09 AM

I am also going to use a drop to secure my frags when I get to that point. A drop will be enough to secure them but not to much in the event I want to move them.

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billdogg · 08/04/2017, 09:02 AM

I'm with mcgyvr. I use nothing but gravity for the rocks. Superglue gel/ JB Waterweld for frags

Snaredrum · 08/04/2017, 09:08 AM

I also like gravity in the event you want to move the rocks for whatever reason. Sometimes it just to maybe increase flow to a certain area.

Tcox · 08/04/2017, 09:08 AM

Many don't recommend large structures for legitimate reasons, but I personally love using hydrolic cement to help make structures. I've made some really cool stuff with it it will dry enough to hold structure in a couple minutes and while drying, you can make impressions in the cement to accommodate frag plugs. Just worth the thought.

Timfish · 08/05/2017, 07:13 AM

Here's a video a member of the local club did of her dry aquascaping:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRjHGhs-aaY

AlSimmons · 08/05/2017, 10:49 AM

I just use a little epoxy in the joints when I'm stacking rocks. Given the right conditions and time though the rocks should fuse together through coral growth, sponge growth etc anyways.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-10/ac/feature/

Volcmreefer · 08/05/2017, 02:55 PM

Marco reef cement for the rocks. Epoxy or super glue GEL for the corals. Happy Reefing!

Jon0807 · 08/05/2017, 11:46 PM

I really like BRS videos.

This one is about mounting corals
https://youtu.be/edJ8Lorgxi8

This one is about aquascaping
https://youtu.be/S4eTdqBZnlw

LuizW13 · 08/06/2017, 11:45 AM

I used an epoxy from 2 Little Fishies to aquascape my rocks and I use the AF Poly glue for corals - i just used it for the first time last night; i liked it.

fustilarian · 08/06/2017, 01:21 PM

I have used reef epoxy, cyanoacrylate gel (super glue gel), zip ties, and fiberglass rods that are supposed to be arrow blanks because you can find them for cheap.

The epoxies and glues do not seem to work well on their own. I recommend using a glob of superglue on each rock to be joined with a glob of epoxy in the middle. That gives me the best results.

You can make large tower type structures by drilling a hole in a large heavy rock and inserting a rod into it and then using that rod to form a structure by drilling through other rocks and stacking or by zip-tying rocks to it.

Ron Reefman · 08/07/2017, 05:20 AM

Gravity, friction and the shape of the rocks 'locking' together.

I like messing with the corals and rock structure over time and 'gluing' them together just wouldn't work for me.

Johnsreefer · 08/07/2017, 07:10 AM

Zip ties

Johnsreefer · 08/07/2017, 07:12 AM

Actually scratch that previous comment I thought we were talking about rocks together. I always used superglue gell for corals. Little blue bottle. Keep it off your skin

ca1ore · 08/07/2017, 09:01 AM

Some folks cement their reef rocks together, which I always thought to be a really bad idea. I'm largely with the friction folks. Assemble your rocks so that they are stable; a few strategically placed blobs of epoxy putty keeps things together.

JTL · 08/07/2017, 09:19 AM

Occasionally I need to use epoxy to obtain a certain shape, like a tall and narrow structure but mostly just friction. Like others have said aquascaping is a perpetual work in progress so being able to move things is critical.

08/04/2017, 07:53 AM	#1
RussC Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Gulfport (Mississippi Gulf Coast) Posts: 1,405	What do I use to secure rocks and corals together I'm near building my aquascape and would like to secure the rock. What can I use to do that? Also, once I add coral, how do I secure them to the rock? __________________ When a habit begins to cost money, it's called a hobby! Current Tank Info: Red Sea Reefer XL 425 Alive and Kick'n BOD 8-29-17

08/04/2017, 08:00 AM	#3
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Friction.. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=872 __________________ Who me?

08/04/2017, 09:02 AM	#6
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I'm with mcgyvr. I use nothing but gravity for the rocks. Superglue gel/ JB Waterweld for frags __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

08/04/2017, 09:08 AM	#8
Tcox Registered Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 149	Many don't recommend large structures for legitimate reasons, but I personally love using hydrolic cement to help make structures. I've made some really cool stuff with it it will dry enough to hold structure in a couple minutes and while drying, you can make impressions in the cement to accommodate frag plugs. Just worth the thought. Last edited by Tcox; 08/04/2017 at 10:41 AM.

08/05/2017, 07:13 AM	#9
Timfish Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,985	Here's a video a member of the local club did of her dry aquascaping: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRjHGhs-aaY __________________ "Our crystal clear aquaria come nowhere close to the nutrient loads that swirl around natural reefs" Charles Delbeek

08/04/2017, 07:56 AM	#2
ahuaia Registered Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 228	Just use reef safe epoxy you can get it at most fish stores or online. Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

08/04/2017, 08:09 AM	#5
JohnZena Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 96	I am also going to use a drop to secure my frags when I get to that point. A drop will be enough to secure them but not to much in the event I want to move them. Sent from my LGMS550 using Tapatalk

08/04/2017, 09:08 AM	#7
Snaredrum Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Mitchell, IL. Posts: 55	I also like gravity in the event you want to move the rocks for whatever reason. Sometimes it just to maybe increase flow to a certain area.

08/05/2017, 10:49 AM	#10
AlSimmons Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: California Posts: 2,482	I just use a little epoxy in the joints when I'm stacking rocks. Given the right conditions and time though the rocks should fuse together through coral growth, sponge growth etc anyways. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-10/ac/feature/ Last edited by AlSimmons; 08/05/2017 at 05:50 PM.

08/05/2017, 02:55 PM	#11
Volcmreefer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Milton, FL Posts: 346	Marco reef cement for the rocks. Epoxy or super glue GEL for the corals. Happy Reefing!

08/05/2017, 11:46 PM	#12
Jon0807 Registered Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 293	I really like BRS videos. This one is about mounting corals https://youtu.be/edJ8Lorgxi8 This one is about aquascaping https://youtu.be/S4eTdqBZnlw __________________ 40g breeder DT, 40g breeder sump

08/06/2017, 11:45 AM	#13
LuizW13 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Under the sea Posts: 309	I used an epoxy from 2 Little Fishies to aquascape my rocks and I use the AF Poly glue for corals - i just used it for the first time last night; i liked it.

08/06/2017, 01:21 PM	#14
fustilarian Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: East Meadow, NY Posts: 33	I have used reef epoxy, cyanoacrylate gel (super glue gel), zip ties, and fiberglass rods that are supposed to be arrow blanks because you can find them for cheap. The epoxies and glues do not seem to work well on their own. I recommend using a glob of superglue on each rock to be joined with a glob of epoxy in the middle. That gives me the best results. You can make large tower type structures by drilling a hole in a large heavy rock and inserting a rod into it and then using that rod to form a structure by drilling through other rocks and stacking or by zip-tying rocks to it. __________________ A fusty nut with no kernel. Current Tank Info: 4 foot 120, lots of DIY, Years in the making .. click my homepage for all the photos and videos . .

08/07/2017, 05:20 AM	#15
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	Gravity, friction and the shape of the rocks 'locking' together. I like messing with the corals and rock structure over time and 'gluing' them together just wouldn't work for me. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

08/07/2017, 07:10 AM	#16
Johnsreefer Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 11	Zip ties

08/07/2017, 07:12 AM	#17
Johnsreefer Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 11	Actually scratch that previous comment I thought we were talking about rocks together. I always used superglue gell for corals. Little blue bottle. Keep it off your skin

08/07/2017, 09:01 AM	#18
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Some folks cement their reef rocks together, which I always thought to be a really bad idea. I'm largely with the friction folks. Assemble your rocks so that they are stable; a few strategically placed blobs of epoxy putty keeps things together. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

08/07/2017, 09:19 AM	#19
JTL Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Venice Island, FL Posts: 2,532	Occasionally I need to use epoxy to obtain a certain shape, like a tall and narrow structure but mostly just friction. Like others have said aquascaping is a perpetual work in progress so being able to move things is critical. __________________ John 100 gallon DT and 50 gallon sump with refugium. Reefbreeders Photon V2+.