Changing and securing aquascape?

[ShepherdTech]

I have a 210 gallon reef and it was delivered and setup the first week in April. I’ve been changing things I don’t like and one of the things is the aquascape, which is basically a pile of rocks. I want to change my aquascape and even purchased some Marco epoxy to do so.

1. Will pulling rock out to epoxy it together cause a bad cycle (plan to spray it with a spray bottle of tank water every 30 minutes or so)

2. What type of rod can be used if rock is drilled?

3. Is drilling necessary with Marco epoxy for overhangs, etc?

4. Would drilling rock cause any issues after inserting back into tank?

5. Please bring up anything not mentioned that should be considered

 

[Ron Reefman]

1. Will pulling rock out to epoxy it together cause a bad cycle (plan to spray it with a spray bottle of tank water every 30 minutes or so)
I think you'll get at least some degree of a new cycle. Rather than spraying the rocks, lay a wet towel over the rocks and keep it wet.

2. What type of rod can be used if rock is drilled?
Fiberglass, plastic, pvc, ceramic.

3. Is drilling necessary with Marco epoxy for overhangs, etc?
It depends on the leverage and mating surfaces and holding strength of the epoxy.

4. Would drilling rock cause any issues after inserting back into tank?
Drilling will create fine dust/sludge you can rinse away. No effect other than that. I drilled hundreds of holes in my rock to hold frag plugs and it had zero effect other than making a great looking tank with tons of corals after some grow out.

5. Please bring up anything not mentioned that should be considered
I've never glued rocks together and only used rods a few times for special structures. I just work with the rocks and pile them up balanced. But then I'm not crazy about towers or arches and such.

 

[DogsRule]

If you can re-scape the tank in say 2 or 3 stages, rather than pulling everything out in one go, I think it will be less overwhelming on a large tank & you won't have to rush trying to get the rock back in. If you have a water change Brute garbage can, you could fill that with used tank water, then pull a section of rock out & place in there while deciding what pieces to drill/epoxy (that's what I did when moving everything from my 92 to the 210).
Have a vision of what you want to create, with which pieces of rock before hand, so you have a plan & can work methodically.
As for drilling, I found it best to drill an oversized hole, then epoxy the PVC/acrylic rod into place. If the rock is porous it will drill very easily, but like Ron stated can cause a lot of mess/sludge. When I was finished drilling a piece, I just dunked it in a 5 gallon bucket of used tank water to get rid of most of the mess. Some larger pieces of rock, I just drilled right through & connected with a long piece of PVC to create reef "bommie"- don't have to worry about it toppling over, but can be taken apart easily if ever needed. HTH

Edit: Forgot about zip-ties for securing the rock or actual corals in place.

 

[ShepherdTech]

If you can re-scape the tank in say 2 or 3 stages, rather than pulling everything out in one go, I think it will be less overwhelming on a large tank & you won't have to rush trying to get the rock back in. If you have a water change Brute garbage can, you could fill that with used tank water, then pull a section of rock out & place in there while deciding what pieces to drill/epoxy (that's what I did when moving everything from my 92 to the 210).
Have a vision of what you want to create, with which pieces of rock before hand, so you have a plan & can work methodically.
As for drilling, I found it best to drill an oversized hole, then epoxy the PVC/acrylic rod into place. If the rock is porous it will drill very easily, but like Ron stated can cause a lot of mess/sludge. When I was finished drilling a piece, I just dunked it in a 5 gallon bucket of used tank water to get rid of most of the mess. Some larger pieces of rock, I just drilled right through & connected with a long piece of PVC to create reef "bommie"- don't have to worry about it toppling over, but can be taken apart easily if ever needed. HTH

Edit: Forgot about zip-ties for securing the rock or actual corals in place.

Appreciate the reply. I do plan on going in 3 phases, left, center, then right side of tank. I don’t have pieces in mind yet, but want more space useable to fish and where I can see them, even when they go hide at night.

 

[Tjm23slo]

If you can re-scape the tank in say 2 or 3 stages, rather than pulling everything out in one go, I think it will be less overwhelming on a large tank & you won't have to rush trying to get the rock back in. If you have a water change Brute garbage can, you could fill that with used tank water, then pull a section of rock out & place in there while deciding what pieces to drill/epoxy (that's what I did when moving everything from my 92 to the 210).
IAs for drilling, I found it best to drill an oversized hole, then epoxy the PVC/acrylic rod into place. If the rock is porous it will drill very easily, but like Ron stated can cause a lot of mess/sludge. When I was finished drilling a piece, I just dunked it in a 5 gallon bucket of used tank water to get rid of most of the mess. Some larger pieces of rock, I just drilled right through & connected with a long piece of PVC to create reef "bommie"- don't have to worry

Is drilling dry or wet rock the same difficulty? Meaning does the drill go through wet rock easier than dry rock?

 

[DogsRule]

Is drilling dry or wet rock the same difficulty? Meaning does the drill go through wet rock easier than dry rock?

I did find the wet rock was easier to drill, but it made more mess in the form of a sludge, that literally had to blasted away with a hose- it did keep the masonary bit cooler though. The dry rock just created some dust that was easy to brush off, but needed more drill time & I think more force. Sorry for late reply & HYH

 

[Dvanlier05]

I like to use Aquaforest Stone Fix for attaching rocks together. Super easy to use and holds like concrete.

 

[S2G]

Get a masonry bit drill a hole. I use driveway markers from Lowe's but acrylic rod will work.

DD aquascape putty works great but your skimmer is going to go berserk for a few wks. Carbon will help though

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Good info shared already!

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Definitely show us before and after pics