Gluing rocks together...how to

Michelesreef · Jan 31, 2020

So I had bought some aquarium safe silicone the past week and i feel like it will work pretty well if i put a lot in between the cracks. I am sceptical though because if i out a heavier rock somewhere in the middle and possibly off to the side of another, would it not become top heavy?
Does anybody have other resources or things that will work to make these rocks stay glued together?

Big C · Jan 31, 2020

This stuff works really well and I got some pretty nice aquascape put together which otherwise wouldn't have worked.

Mortar for aquascape

Michelesreef · Jan 31, 2020

Big C said:
This stuff works really well and I got some pretty nice aquascape put together which otherwise wouldn't have worked.

Mortar for aquascape

Is it difficult to mix and use? Or does it basically make everything easier? Even the application...

Michelesreef · Jan 31, 2020

Oh, and i get the same thing at a hardware store or it has to be specifically aquarium safe?

Big C · Jan 31, 2020

I found it easy but you need to make small batches within the kit to start with. The first time I mixed a small amount it took a bit to get the right consistency. After that it was a piece of cake.

Big C · Jan 31, 2020

Michelesreef said:
Oh, and i get the same thing at a hardware store or it has to be specifically aquarium safe?

Not sure. I typically buy stuff specifically for the aquarium hobby to be on the safe side.

madweazl · Jan 31, 2020

I used the Marco stuff as well (good deal from a local who didnt use much) and found it easy to work with. I dont think there is anything special about it and the same thing is likely available from the local hardware store.

Michelesreef · Jan 31, 2020

Thank you! Any advice or is it pretty self explanatory to gluing them together? Not so much with the cement stuff but the process of getting the rocks to look right

Big C · Jan 31, 2020

If you use the mortar you'll need to figure out how to prop you rocks up while it dries. Also keep in mind if you ever need to take it out. Don't mortar your entire aquascape together (not sure how much you have). Pretty hard to lift a hundred pound rock out. If it's top heavy you still need to make sure the structure is sound on the tank floor.

chowberg · Jan 31, 2020

I also used the e-Marco stuff. It isn't too difficult to use, but as others said you need to be able to prop the rocks up when it dries. I let it cure for a few days in a separate tank and dropped the whole thing into an existing system. I would definitely use it again

OutsideBrian · Feb 1, 2020

Depending on what size rocks your putting together you could also use superglue.
The white glue will grow algae on it and disappear or you can sprinkle sand on it to help hide it.

S.Pepper · Feb 1, 2020

This stuff works great.

E-Marco-400 Aquascaping Mortar Complete Kit - Grey

100% Non-Toxic - Triton ICP Tested Have you ever wondered how they make those remarkable aquascape structures? MarcoRocks E-Marco-400 Aquascaping Kit is how! The kit includes everything you will need to create your own morter that is specially modified to keep the joints from becoming brittle in...

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Greg P · Feb 1, 2020

2-part epoxies are pretty strong too. Mix/blend well outside of the tank to avoid skimmer upset and avoid overly mucking with it in the tank.
If your structure is large, support it while the epoxy cures.
The brands I'm thinking of are not meant to hold very large pieces of rock, but do hold very well in the proper situations.

I've used Tunze (off market now?) D&D Aquascape Construction Epoxy, and Vertex E-colla (off market ??).
All of these were successful at holding larger rocks together 5+lbs each when fully cured in a tub.

Ashish Patel · Feb 5, 2020

If your ever worried about the rock holding, then its probably not a good idea to leave it alone especially knowing how much large colonies will add to the weight of the 2 structures. For larger rockstructures I use acrylic rods and once these are surrounded by expoxy no one is going to be able to bring them apart short of using a hammer.

kjbrooks71 · Feb 5, 2020

I used the cement for the first time a couple weeks ago, pretty easy; i did make quite the mess. Getting the right consistency is the hardest part. I just kinda pushed into the cracks and propped the rock up til it set up.

Eight · Feb 5, 2020

Another vote for E Marco 400. I've tried most methods and this one is amazing.

Here's a step by step photo sequence of how i built my aquascape.

Build Thread - Jason's Reefer 250: Fish added! Sump Mod, Clarisea, custom plumbing, aquascape w/E-Marco, IKEA cabinet mod. (Pic heavy!)

So not being a sports fan, I took advantage of Superbowl weekend to put a lot of work into the tank. Plumbing is pretty much done save for a few final tweaks. I was lucky and have only very minor drips which should be easily remedied. I'm pretty thrilled with the plumbing. It's dead quiet...

www.reef2reef.com