Aquascaping with Marco rocks

[rainsong]

So, I have 100 lbs of marco rocks for my 150 gallon (eurobraced) tank. I am looking to create an aquascape and had a few questions.

1. Do I need to decide on the type of tank (Fish, softies, LPS etc.) before determining what the scape needs to look like? How tall (close to the light) it needs to be, how much flat spaces it needs etc.
2. Is it worth spending more $$ to get some foundation marco rocks or can I just make sure I use some "stable" rocks at the bottom?
3. I have been reading some "thin superglue" and "sand" techniques. If I decide to proceed in this direction, how much superglue will I need for a large scape?
4. Should I consider reinforcing the superglue with eMarco cement? Is eMarco cement any superior to the local Homedepot hydraulic cement?

Thanks!

 

[Kirkslittlereef]

The foundation rocks are pretty nice to build off from, one of the big BRS bottles is plenty of glue, I didn’t even use half a bottle to glue my 100lbs of rock together after I broke it all into smaller pieces. The emarco cement works great to firm everything up after it’s glued together, I couldn’t get the sand glue combo to get hard enough to pick up the 60ish pound main piece to put it in my tank as I built it on my table.

 

[Kirkslittlereef]

Picture for reference.

 

[sunken3]

so much of the scape depends on personal preference.. (most folks just pile rocks against the wall and are successful)... I really like the look of negative scape - bridges and branches.. but a lot of fish like a place to hide as well, so some caves are a good. I would make various levels (for different light needs of some corals, plus it looks better). I have seem a few different techniques online to glue the rocks.. none seemed as easy as the videos (maybe my pieces were too big). I think the thick BRS super glue (large bottle) is best to set your pieces.. the Marco is good to cement it after it is set, but not to use as your primary setting agent.. it's either too gritty, or more like applesauce.. so I smeared it all through the joint after the glue set.. threw sand on top.. and was good too go.

 

[Dempsey941]

Do I need to decide on the type of tank (Fish, softies, LPS etc.) before determining what the scape needs to look like? How tall (close to the light) it needs to be, how much flat spaces it needs etc

Most people limit their rock scape to the bottom two-thirds so your higher light corals have room to grow.

I'm also a fan of islands for soft corals like zoas, xenia, or GSP so they don't get on the main structure.

 

[sunken3]

Most people limit their rock scape to the bottom two-thirds so your higher light corals have room to grow.

I'm also a fan of islands for soft corals like zoas, xenia, or GSP so they don't get on the main structure.

agreed.. I meant to mention it, but got sidetracked.. corals will (hopefully) grow a lot.. so build your scape for the future growth, not the current rock and frag size.

 

[KStatefan]

So, I have 100 lbs of marco rocks for my 150 gallon (eurobraced) tank. I am looking to create an aquascape and had a few questions.

1. Do I need to decide on the type of tank (Fish, softies, LPS etc.) before determining what the scape needs to look like? How tall (close to the light) it needs to be, how much flat spaces it needs etc.
2. Is it worth spending more $$ to get some foundation marco rocks or can I just make sure I use some "stable" rocks at the bottom?
3. I have been reading some "thin superglue" and "sand" techniques. If I decide to proceed in this direction, how much superglue will I need for a large scape?
4. Should I consider reinforcing the superglue with eMarco cement? Is eMarco cement any superior to the local Homedepot hydraulic cement?

Thanks!

1. I do not think so. Just do something you like. Leave room for glass cleaning and room for corals to grow.
2. I purchased a couple pieces but not sure it was worth it.
3. I used less the a big bottle of the ultra thin. That would also depend on how small of pieces you were gluing
4. I used it to reinforce mine. I am sure it is hydraulic cement and a additive that is just repackaged but I still used it.

 

[F i s h y]

I use the super glue method. PM @Glue Masters they have great customer service and the product works. These are my current scapes for sale and the scape I did in my lagoon.

 

[Jbell370]

I smashed up 150lbs and glued them together in what felt like months. I used the BRS large bottles, about 30 bottles. I like it, but will not do it again....ever.

 

[happyhourhero]

I’d go with the thin glue method. I used one bottle of glue masters for my 22 x 18 x 10 area.

 

[paintman]

All marco rock in my 200gal.

 

[ninjamyst]

I smashed up 150lbs and glued them together in what felt like months. I used the BRS large bottles, about 30 bottles. I like it, but will not do it again....ever.

LoL 30 bottles??? Did you use macro rocks? Did you drink the glue while putting it together? 30 bottles is insane. You spent more on glue than rocks?

 

[Jbell370]

LoL 30 bottles??? Did you use macro rocks? Did you drink the glue while putting it together? 30 bottles is insane. You spent more on glue than rocks?

Ya, by the time I smashed up the rocks in to smaller pieces, then glued them in to interesting shapes, then affix all those shapes together, then not liking it and breaking it again, then liking it and lifting it only to have it break apart...never ever will I do that, stack them sure, maybe glue some little areas, but the entire break it and build it, no thanks. For reference, tank is 240g, euro braced, so the structures had to be solid to lift above and lower in the tank.

Sad part....I hate it now and want to replace it all.

 

[rainsong]

Ya, by the time I smashed up the rocks in to smaller pieces, then glued them in to interesting shapes, then affix all those shapes together, then not liking it and breaking it again, then liking it and lifting it only to have it break apart...never ever will I do that, stack them sure, maybe glue some little areas, but the entire break it and build it, no thanks. For reference, tank is 240g, euro braced, so the structures had to be solid to lift above and lower in the tank.

Sad part....I hate it now and want to replace it all.

Wow … sorry to hear this. I am nya “creative” person and worry about the exact same thing.

 

[bdouglas119]

I took a hybrid approach to make mine. I started with foundation rock in order to get the safest, and easiest base. I mainly followed BRS by building it mainly using thick super glue but when I had gaps I filled it with rock rubble/sand and used water thin super glue. After it was complete I used E Marcos Cements on the main joints then hid the cement with a layer of sand/thin glue. The end result looks great and is super secure.

I used 1 bucket of the Cement, 4 8oz bottles of super thick glue, and 2 8oz bottles of thin glue

 

[ShawnSaucier]

Glue and accelerator, Marco and pukani in my 150 (48x36x20) Eurobraced. I think it’s good to consider what corals you plan on collecting and placement..

 

[Jbell370]

Wow … sorry to hear this. I am nya “creative” person and worry about the exact same thing.

If it would have been summer, then I think it would have all gone much better, I would have had more room and no real concern of mess. I really do like the look of the smooth old dinosaur bone structures I have seen, not really sure how to describe them, but basically appears the entire structure is covered with the cement and smoothed over. I would rather just have live rock like back in the day.

 

[Glue Masters]

We also carry 16oz bottles, by the way, folks, so you don't have to use 8oz necessarily. They are easier to operate however. Awesome aquascapes, @F i s h y , as always!

 

[ninjamyst]

We also carry 16oz bottles, by the way, folks, so you don't have to use 8oz necessarily. They are easier to operate however. Awesome aquascapes, @F i s h y , as always!

No 8oz thin available on Amazon =(. Do you prefer people to purchase directly from your site instead? Amazon spoils me with 2 day shipping. I been buying the 8oz thick for frags but I assume for rocks, thin is best?

 

[Oberst Hajj]

So, I have 100 lbs of marco rocks for my 150 gallon (eurobraced) tank. I am looking to create an aquascape and had a few questions.

1. Do I need to decide on the type of tank (Fish, softies, LPS etc.) before determining what the scape needs to look like? How tall (close to the light) it needs to be, how much flat spaces it needs etc.
2. Is it worth spending more $$ to get some foundation marco rocks or can I just make sure I use some "stable" rocks at the bottom?
3. I have been reading some "thin superglue" and "sand" techniques. If I decide to proceed in this direction, how much superglue will I need for a large scape?
4. Should I consider reinforcing the superglue with eMarco cement? Is eMarco cement any superior to the local Homedepot hydraulic cement?

Thanks!

1. It does help to know what you are going to do with the tank when building your scape.

2. I personally think so, but many people don't use them and it works out fine.

3. I used this method for my latest build. You can see details in my build thread for step by steps and stuff. I ended up using a lot of glue.

4. I did not use the eMarco cement and I did not have any issues with them staying together. If I do it again, I will use the cement to attach the base rock to the flat foundation rock. Otherwise you use a lot of glue.