Did you use Gluemasters? How did it hold up long term?

[miltonkl]

I'm looking to build my first aquascape and just bought 35 lbs of Marco rock, plus 2 small foundation pieces with the machined flat bottoms. I want to build one of those NSA aquascape (keeping habitat in mind like BRS mentioned in a recent video) and love the Tidal Gardens method of Gluemasters thin plus the powdered rock, as it's very simple.

Has anyone already done this? Did the glue hold up long term?

Hoping Amazon restock soon!

 

[PanhandleReef]

I put together my aquascape using that technique in November of last year, so almost a year. My rocks are still in a container in the garage seeding while I finish my build. I have lifted / moved the rocks out of the containers about 10 times for various reasons, grabbing any part I can get ahold of including overhangs. They are still a solid rock with no signs of weakening.

 

[Shooter6]

I'm looking to build my first aquascape and just bought 35 lbs of Marco rock, plus 2 small foundation pieces with the machined flat bottoms. I want to build one of those NSA aquascape (keeping habitat in mind like BRS mentioned in a recent video) and love the Tidal Gardens method of Gluemasters thin plus the powdered rock, as it's very simple.

Has anyone already done this? Did the glue hold up long term?

Hoping Amazon restock soon!

I cannot speak for that, but I can tell you what I did that worked for over 4 years, and was rock solid when I tore it down.
I used moist baking soda, packed between the rocks like mortar. Once it was packed in I used a heat gun to dry it. I then dripped or squeezed in liquid superglue. NOT GEL.
When liquid superglue hits baking soda, there's a chemical reaction that causes it to dry instantly! Forms a rock hard joint. Keep adding the glue until it no longer absorbs. Sprinkle some rock dust on the wet glue and you have a single rock form.
Here's some I built 6 years ago, and are the ones I pulled out after 4 years. These all were attached into 2 structures. I used Marco rubble rock to build them. Coraline started growing where the baking soda was first as a benefit.

 

[Waters]

I have never used Gluemasters but I did use superglue and mortar and followed BRS NSA video....was very easy and had no issues.....

 

[happyhourhero]

Tossing it out that my tank started in feb with gluemasters and rock powder is holding up without issue. Also holding up against a rock boring urchin.

 

[afrokobe]

I cannot speak for that, but I can tell you what I did that worked for over 4 years, and was rock solid when I tore it down.
I used moist baking soda, packed between the rocks like mortar. Once it was packed in I used a heat gun to dry it. I then dripped or squeezed in liquid superglue. NOT GEL.
When liquid superglue hits baking soda, there's a chemical reaction that causes it to dry instantly! Forms a rock hard joint. Keep adding the glue until it no longer absorbs. Sprinkle some rock dust on the wet glue and you have a single rock form.
Here's some I built 6 years ago, and are the ones I pulled out after 4 years. These all were attached into 2 structures. I used Marco rubble rock to build them. Coraline started growing where the baking soda was first as a benefit.

This ^ if you use this method your rock should be fine. It would take more to break the glued joints than the rock itself. If you used just super glue gel, it really depends on your contact points. You can also use crushed marco powder instead of baking soda, although baking soda creates a really strong bond.

 

[kattz]

I know that this is an old thread, sorry, but the baking soda is used as a cyanoacrylate accelerator in the RC world. The accelerator in the spray bottle can make a person really sick when used indoors. I know from personal experience about that.

When the spray accelerator is used on the rocks first with gel glue, it's not penetrating the pores of the rock, the spray stuff "locks" the surface of the glue upon contact. So the only type of bond you get is what's known as a "keyhole" bond, and it's not so strong as it's made to appear.

Use a medium viscosity glue, use liberally, give it a second or to to soak into the pores of the rock, and then baking soda. Repeat as necessary.

The "Marco powder" soaks up and into the glue, but doesn't do anything for the curing strength internally.

 

[happyhourhero]

There is a chemical reaction with Marco powder and thin glue. After about a second, it smokes and sets. In a couple minutes, the bond is stronger than the rock.

 

[JNalley]

I know that this is an old thread, sorry, but the baking soda is used as a cyanoacrylate accelerator in the RC world.
....
The "Marco powder" soaks up and into the glue, but doesn't do anything for the curing strength internally.

There is a chemical reaction with Marco powder and thin glue. After about a second, it smokes and sets. In a couple minutes, the bond is stronger than the rock.

I've not ever used Marco rock, but, being a geology student, I know that Marco Rock is limestone from Ancient corals. Sodium Bicarbonate is one of the Chemicals we get from Limestone... So @kattz most of your statement is true until you say "Marco powder" soaks up and into the glue but... If baking soda is an accelerator then it's entirely Plausible that Marco Powder is also an accelerator since it likely contains sodium bicarbonate

 

[srcleary]

I am using Gluemasters and reef sand. I can build up the joints with multiple layers of sand + glue + sand + glue etc. And the sand match the rock near perfect. This is working great for me and once dry it is stronger than the Marco rock.

 

[kattz]

I've not ever used Marco rock, but, being a geology student, I know that Marco Rock is limestone from Ancient corals. Sodium Bicarbonate is one of the Chemicals we get from Limestone... So @kattz most of your statement is true until you say "Marco powder" soaks up and into the glue but... If baking soda is an accelerator then it's entirely Plausible that Marco Powder is also an accelerator since it likely contains sodium bicarbonate

I have not personally seen that reaction with cyanoacrylate when using the Marco powder. But if you guys say it works I'll take your word for it. I stand corrected.

 

[JNalley]

I have not personally seen that reaction with cyanoacrylate when using the Marco powder. But if you guys say it works I'll take your word for it. I stand corrected.

well, you're using 100% sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) whereas the Sodium Bicarbonate in limestone is likely rated in percentage or ppt/ppm. So a visible reaction may not occur. That's just my guess.

 

[BeltedCoyote]

It works. I made this

 

[kattz]

Looks good!