Live rock arrangements

gunslingersgirl · Jul 11, 2015

So what suggestions do you guys have for making rock formations for your tank? We're considering non-toxic glue or maybe connecting pieces using metal. Any ideas? What do you all do?

cloak · Jul 11, 2015

It's like putting a puzzle together IME. Left, right, rotate etc. A little super glue or epoxy in the joints and your set. If your looking to suspend a lot of weight though, those acrylic rods are a much safer option. GL.

Reefing Madness · Jul 11, 2015

Trial and error with mine. Try to put the rocks in an order the way it would hold a rock above it. Or, Epoxy, and you can put it any way you want.

thegunslinger · Jul 11, 2015

Thanks for the suggestions. What brand of epoxy? Where would we find acrylic rods?

Reefing Madness · Jul 11, 2015

Im sure there are other epoxies, but this is the kind that I've used in the past.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=3961

Acrylic Rods
http://www.professionalplastics.com/PLASTIC-RODS

gunslingersgirl · Jul 12, 2015

So we tried the epoxy you suggested today and when we went to put it in our tank after several hours of drying, it fell apart.. Even the rocks with three points of contact to one another. Maybe our live rock is too heavy. We'll be trying acrylic rods so there's no question of stability or safety next. Thanks for everyone's help. Feel free to give us more advice

Reefing Madness · Jul 12, 2015

No, live rock no to heavy, possibly didn't use enough epoxy. It has to be given enough contact points between the pieces. I've glued together some rather large pieces together before, but had to use a good portion of epoxy, and hold it in position for a few minutes to let it take hold.

Eckolancer · Jul 12, 2015

Not all epoxy is the same. I like the tunze 2 part it seems to dry hardest and fastest. Also doesn't crumble over time after being in the tank. It does cost a little more but works great.

thegunslinger · Jul 15, 2015

The one we tried was Instant Ocean. It seemed to work, but not strong enough to support the weight of the rock. We're going to try again with some acrylic.