NSA aqua scape with Tonga branch rock

[CorbetJackson50]

I just watched BRS video on their NSA scape. I’m wanting to do this with Tonga branch and looking for some insight. BRS used many small pieces of reef saver rock whereas the Tonga branch I have is some pretty good size pieces. Ryan broke the pieces up for two reasons: one was the ability to build branches and two was to make the pieces easier to handle and cure together. I hate to break up some of the bigger pieces of Tonga for obvious reasons. I have seen in the past people using acrylic or fiberglass rods for support. Do you think it’s possible and or plausible to drill 2-3” into the Tonga and insert the rod into a joining pieces for support of larger pieces of branch rock?

 

[kaifish]

I just watched BRS video on their NSA scape. I’m wanting to do this with Tonga branch and looking for some insight. BRS used many small pieces of reef saver rock whereas the Tonga branch I have is some pretty good size pieces. Ryan broke the pieces up for two reasons: one was the ability to build branches and two was to make the pieces easier to handle and cure together. I hate to break up some of the bigger pieces of Tonga for obvious reasons. I have seen in the past people using acrylic or fiberglass rods for support. Do you think it’s possible and or plausible to drill 2-3” into the Tonga and insert the rod into a joining pieces for support of larger pieces of branch rock?

I did that to my Tonga NSA before NSA was a thing haha. I used a 1/4 inch masonry bit and fiberglass rods. And reinforced the joints with epoxy. My only issue was using gray epoxy causeevery after coralline grows it’s still lighter than the Tonga.

 

[OREGONIC]

This is my scape done with tropic eden branch rock. Attached all the pieces with emarco cement. There are about 10 pieces cemented together for the centerpiece. Just take your time, I literally spent about a hour per day for about 10 days to build the scape. Would cement a few pieces together then let it cure for a day then repeat.

 

[Chad3407]

This is my scape done with tropic eden branch rock. Attached all the pieces with emarco cement. There are about 10 pieces cemented together for the centerpiece. Just take your time, I literally spent about a hour per day for about 10 days to build the scape. Would cement a few pieces together then let it cure for a day then repeat.

Is this the innovative marine 112?

 

[OREGONIC]

Is this the innovative marine 112?

Yes it is, love the tank.

 

[Chad3407]

Yes it is, love the tank.

Nice. Just got mine in on Monday. Also doing all Tonga branch. Not finished with aquascape as I basically tossed these in to get them out the way.

 

[Dixon25]

Working on my new build too. 30g Deep Blue. Started with about 15 pounds Tonga Branch. I taped the dimensions of my tank and built the scape dry outside. Used Marco cement to glue 4 or 5 pieces. I added bioblock in the sump for additional surface area.

 

[OREGONIC]

Nice. Just got mine in on Monday. Also doing all Tonga branch. Not finished with aquascape as I basically tossed these in to get them out the way.

Looks great, actually like the way they are tossed in. do you have a build thread going?

 

[Chad3407]

Looks great, actually like the way they are tossed in. do you have a build thread going?

No build thread. I don’t have time or patients for that. Lol

 

[Chad3407]

What I messed around with today. Started to actually glue some of it together. As you can tell my Tonga branch is not real. It’s actual man made epoxy branches from a company called aqua rocks. I’ve used his stuff in the past and it’s great.

 

[mikeg18]

What I messed around with today. Started to actually glue some of it together. As you can tell my Tonga branch is not real. It’s actual man made epoxy branches from a company called aqua rocks. I’ve used his stuff in the past and it’s great.

Looks great. Looking for LR alternatives and found this supplier. Trying to decide between Aquaroche and these. I do like that the Aquaroche are porous and I think the Aqua rocks are not but look so much better.

Starting a new tank 200 gal build. Been reefing for the past 18 years, but never with fake rock. Any info would be appreciated!