Do you glue your rocks together?

[Westside Guy]

When my LFS setup my Reefer 250 they didn't glue any rocks when they did my aquascaping. There are some smaller rocks that move a little when touched. Should I glue them to the larger ones or leave as is?

 

[James M]

If you don’t feel comfortable with how they are then glue them or use epoxy

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

I use concrete (E-Marco 400) to connect various rocks to create large pieces/sculptures. However, I don't connect all of those. I leave them in large separate pieces so that I can move them around if I want to later.

 

[cracker]

I don't cwment any rock. If it feels unstable turn the rock until it is .

 

[Kscope]

Urchins and anemones can move unglued rocks. If you plan to get either...glue'em

 

[Auto-pilot]

another method that has worked really well for mew in the past and it also makes it easy to change if you need to is Zipties! I ziptie everything together, I find holes that already exist and if i need to ill drill new holes and just zip tie it and call it a day. Even if you can see them and they are a little visible eventually they get algae all over them and other things that they are eventually no noticeable.

 

[smellytunic]

I tend to glue some but not everything. If there is some movement but based on shape and location no way for the rock to fall I don't glue it. If I really like the look of a structure or set of rocks but it is very wobbly or would collapse with little effort then I would glue and/or epoxy.

 

[MombasaLionfish]

I tried to glue mine but the glue didn't work so I ended up drilling the rocks.

 

[Westside Guy]

I tend to glue some but not everything. If there is some movement but based on shape and location no way for the rock to fall I don't glue it. If I really like the look of a structure or set of rocks but it is very wobbly or would collapse with little effort then I would glue and/or epoxy.

Can I glue after the fact where the rocks have been in the tank for almost 2 months? I am really worried about some really small rocks that are very wobbly.

 

[wmwesty]

When my LFS setup my Reefer 250 they didn't glue any rocks when they did my aquascaping. There are some smaller rocks that move a little when touched. Should I glue them to the larger ones or leave as is?

It’s ok lifting them into an empty tank in large formations but you try doing maintenance 2or 3 years down the line, just stack them naturally as encrusting coral etc grows over them they won’t move

 

[Makers Marc]

Drilling and acrylic rods if you want 100% long term stability. Glue or epoxy wont work for larger pieces, no matter what kind.

An urchin or anemones will move a pebble or large frag, but no rock.

 

[wesman42]

Glue or epoxy wont work for larger pieces, no matter what kind.

This. I used Marco cement on a few LARGE pieces ...it was corroded by the water and it all crumbled and came crashing down.

 

[Thomas Reardon]

I’ve read where people will drill holes & use zip-ties to keep the rock from moving . I have used the acrylic rods & they do keep everything in place but your rock has to be balanced as you stack up the rod , if not they just topple over . I’m just a newbie & don’t know much but figured I would try & offer a little help on something I have already tried .
Good luck

 

[MombasaLionfish]

I tried to glue mine but the glue didn't work so I ended up drilling the rocks.

So that's why they didn't stay together they were LARGE pieces.

 

[smellytunic]

Can I glue after the fact where the rocks have been in the tank for almost 2 months? I am really worried about some really small rocks that are very wobbly.

Yes. Any glue or epoxy you would use for coral frags would be fine.

 

[Kyl]

I use hydraulic cement (E.marco 400, etc) for major pieces, and for things like an archway that I don't want weighing 50lbs solid, "fuse" the middle of the arch with cyanoacrylate glue so it can be broken apart easily should the need ever arise. With the cement use, you can swing the rock work like a club and it won't let go.

 

[Thaxxx]

Umm,
How do you glue "real" live rock together? Nothing will stick to it.
I've never used dead rock. I do know as far I think, it's not even a reef tank without real live rock with hundreds of sea creatures living in and on it. With plain ole rock its just a coral collection.