Elchapin07
Non-member
happy Tuesday everyone!
Question: what can I use to keep my rocks together , I want to redo my rock work
Question: what can I use to keep my rocks together , I want to redo my rock work
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Aquascape
- Thread starter Elchapin07
- Start date
oh man. let me tell you, I am in the thick of it.
it depends if you are trying to glue live rock or dry rock. If you are working with dry rock, and you have forever to work with it, then I would use a 1/2" masonry bit to drill holes, and use 1/2" PVC rods to secure rocks together and then E-Marco 400 cement to make it all look good.
If you are trying to do live rock, then you have less time, so I have been using gluemasters thin cyanoacrylate (superglue), it is $25 a bottle but man, this stuff works. You use it in conjunction with aragonite sand and you can bond together HEAVY rocks in seconds.
The method is, place two rocks together in a fashion that lets you see the junction where they meet. Sprinkle some aragonite sand in there, and then squirt some superglue on the sand. It almost immediately bonds the sand together and to the rocks. then you rotate your assembly a bit, and put more sand and more glue. I have bonded rocks together in this manner with great success.
Only things, wear eye protection and hand protection, that glue will stick ANYTHING together almost instantly (including your fingers) it makes gnarly fumes that will sting your eyes. And use a dropcloth, this will get messy.
So anyhow, there are youtube vids on this as well that you can find, but this has been the best way thus far I found for bonding rock. To be honest, I might send my E-marco 400 batch back, it was not bonding well at all.
it depends if you are trying to glue live rock or dry rock. If you are working with dry rock, and you have forever to work with it, then I would use a 1/2" masonry bit to drill holes, and use 1/2" PVC rods to secure rocks together and then E-Marco 400 cement to make it all look good.
If you are trying to do live rock, then you have less time, so I have been using gluemasters thin cyanoacrylate (superglue), it is $25 a bottle but man, this stuff works. You use it in conjunction with aragonite sand and you can bond together HEAVY rocks in seconds.
The method is, place two rocks together in a fashion that lets you see the junction where they meet. Sprinkle some aragonite sand in there, and then squirt some superglue on the sand. It almost immediately bonds the sand together and to the rocks. then you rotate your assembly a bit, and put more sand and more glue. I have bonded rocks together in this manner with great success.
Only things, wear eye protection and hand protection, that glue will stick ANYTHING together almost instantly (including your fingers) it makes gnarly fumes that will sting your eyes. And use a dropcloth, this will get messy.
So anyhow, there are youtube vids on this as well that you can find, but this has been the best way thus far I found for bonding rock. To be honest, I might send my E-marco 400 batch back, it was not bonding well at all.
ChrisPchef
Non-member
I’ve used products similar to this to get my rocks to stick together. Purchased at Sea Creature Aquarium on Mineral Spring avenue in North Providence. Although I’d expect any good LFS will carry something similar.
You knead/massage it for around a minute and then form it onto the rocks and build a structure. It has the consistency of play dough before hardening and solidifying.
www.saltwateraquarium.com
You knead/massage it for around a minute and then form it onto the rocks and build a structure. It has the consistency of play dough before hardening and solidifying.
Coralline Purple Reef Epoxy (2 oz) - Oceans Wonders
Shop The Best Saltwater Aquarium Equipment & Supplies at Saltwater Aquarium. We Carry Everything you will Need for your Fish Tank.
www.saltwateraquarium.com
A note on the previous method of using thin superglue with aragonite or marcopowder, use in a well ventilated area preferably outside with a carbon filter respirator. The fumes will burn your lungs and eyes from first hand experience haha.
I second this!
I did this for my rockscape using very liquid super glue and the pulverized rock in between the crack... then covering with sand and usually more glue. If you search NSA rock work on YT then youll find methods. I linked my budget video I made for fun. Youll get the idea.
Second the reef epoxy for wet rock . It has held my current rock scape very firm for 2 years. Can be used with livestock in tank without ill effects. Although will make your skimmer overflow for a few days
In or out of water? I'm assuming out, since you talk about fumes, but just checking, since I sometimes use the saltwater to speed up my frag super glue bond.
Ive got some of this. It's like JB weld for rocks. Just don't try it to diy frag plugs. Lol (guess why I first bought it....)I’ve used products similar to this to get my rocks to stick together. Purchased at Sea Creature Aquarium on Mineral Spring avenue in North Providence. Although I’d expect any good LFS will carry something similar.
You knead/massage it for around a minute and then form it onto the rocks and build a structure. It has the consistency of play dough before hardening and solidifying.
Coralline Purple Reef Epoxy (2 oz) - Oceans Wonders
Shop The Best Saltwater Aquarium Equipment & Supplies at Saltwater Aquarium. We Carry Everything you will Need for your Fish Tank.
Oooops.... Keep reading the posts, Sue, you'll get your answer. Sorry, y'all!
