Best way to aquascape

[rferraro21]

This is how I want it to look, what would be the best thing to use to keep this together? There are large heavy pieces and also some small ones in there.

 

[sureal00]

I use nyos reef cement to join rocks together in my tanks.

 

[rferraro21]

Did you use any type of rods to make it more stable?

 

[Preme]

In my tank I used zip ties along with aquarium safe epoxy. You should be able to pick up zip ties at your local hardware store, and the epoxy you can get from bulk Reef supply.

Another option is emacro cement, which is aquarium safe. I personally don't like using acrylic rods, because it's a pain to drill through all the rocks IMO.

 

[erk]

I used acrylic rod and wedged the rocks together. I made sure the rocks have a secure footing on the bottom of the tank so burrowing animals won't shift the rock. I wouldn't epoxy or cement the rock work together unless absolutely required for stability. Just makes it difficult to get the rock in and out of the tank if you have to do any significant maintenance. Remember that while the rock may be light now, once it is in the tank it will take on a lot of water and weigh significantly more.

 

[rferraro21]

In my tank I used zip ties along with aquarium safe epoxy. You should be able to pick up zip ties at your local hardware store, and the epoxy you can get from bulk Reef supply.

Another option is emacro cement, which is aquarium safe. I personally don't like using acrylic rods, because it's a pain to drill through all the rocks IMO.

What type of epoxy did you use? Anything I can pick up at Lowe's?

 

[Sycoticrealm]

Glue and use rods by drilling holes in the rocks and connecting them.
Unless they fit like puzzle pieces and lock together well.

 

[jason_mazzy]

I used everything and hated most of it until I started using gorilla glue gel. works really great. Another thing I have dome was use the gorilla glue gel to quick set the pieces and then use an epoxy around the gel and try and "nature" it up. To this day you can still tell the epoxy because it doesn't color up well whereas you would be hard pressed to figure out where the gorilla glue superglue gel was.

 

[Preme]

I have used both of these 2
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/aquascape-fix-bonding-adhesive-fauna-marin.html

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/aquastik-underwater-epoxy-putty-stone-grey-two-little-fishies.html

You could also try super glue.

Not sure about anything from lowes. Obviously you'd have to Be careful about what it contains because it very well may not be aquarium safe

 

[Shoob1e]

emaco/

 

[Preme]

I used everything and gated most of it until I started using gorilla glue gel. works really great. Another thing I have dome was use the gorilla glue gel to quick set the pieces and then use an epoxy around the gel and try and "nature" it up. To this day you can still tell the epoxy because it doesn't color up well whereas you would be hard pressed to figure out where the gorilla glue superglue gel was.

I agree with this, I used epoxy and some superglue from BRS

 

[rferraro21]

I ordered some emarco, I will try to use that with some fiberglass rods. I think the kit also comes with sand to help hide the cement. Fingers crossed

 

[Fin]

If you use epoxy and you want to make it less noticeable, before the epoxy sets up, take some arragonite sand (or some pulverized pieces of rock) and push it into the putty. Helps make it look a little more natural until it can be covered over with coral growth (and hopefully not hair algae ).

 

[chefjpaul]

I ordered some emarco, I will try to use that with some fiberglass rods. I think the kit also comes with sand to help hide the cement. Fingers crossed

Just break a small rock chip off, while the mortar is still a tad wet, kinda tap / dab it with the rock to make a rougher rock looking surface. Not smooth.

The cement does cure and color up with coraline well

 

[rferraro21]

Just got em in, the cement held up well except for the arch. Should be fine though once the dust settles.