Ok, stupid question

[7237689918]

When building the aquascape (dry rock) for a new tank you do all of the design/cutting/etc of the rock outside of the tank but the building of the scape, glueing/connecting/etc is in the tank right?

 

[Denisk]

I always work on aquascape outside the tank if it dry rock. I tape of the tank the dimensions on plywood or a towel depending on what you have laying around. I usually glue outside the tank but only do it small structure. I never have one glued up weighing 20 plus pounds because if you need to take the rock out of the tank for any reason it’ll be really hard to pull so much rock out. I usually have a few pieces glued and then connect them in the tank looks as if it’s one big one or whatever the aquscape may be.

 

[CDavmd]

+1

I set up a table and play/cut and shape. Once I’m happy and only when I’m sure I won’t change it again, I take a picture and label each piece. Slowly take it apart in segments and rebuild in the tank.

I use the large tube of Jurassic gel from BRS and the instaset spray as I glue parts together.

 

[7237689918]

I always work on aquascape outside the tank if it dry rock. I tape of the tank the dimensions on plywood or a towel depending on what you have laying around. I usually glue outside the tank but only do it small structure. I never have one glued up weighing 20 plus pounds because if you need to take the rock out of the tank for any reason it’ll be really hard to pull so much rock out. I usually have a few pieces glued and then connect them in the tank looks as if it’s one big one or whatever the aquscape may be.

Thank you Denisk!

So when you say you connect them in the tank, you're referring to glueing the smaller pieces together that were constructed outside the tank right?

 

[7237689918]

+1

I set up a table and play/cut and shape. Once I’m happy and only when I’m sure I won’t change it again, I take a picture and label each piece. Slowly take it apart in segments and rebuild in the tank.

I use the large tube of Jurassic gel from BRS and the instaset spray as I glue parts together.

Thank you CDavmd!

That makes a lot of sense as well. I like the drawing of the tank on cardboard and have seen quite a few posts where folks do that.

 

[andrewkw]

Just keep in mind you may need help getting large pieces into the tank and be mindful of any bracing or other obstacles that you may not think about : lights which you can move, ceiling height which you can't ect.

 

[7237689918]

Yea, frankly, it's a bit scary. One, I am about as far from having any artistic abilities as possible. So not sure how it will look. And, secondly, can't really easily change once it's up and going. I'll probably over-analyze for a couple of months.

 

[Denisk]

Thank you Denisk!

So when you say you connect them in the tank, you're referring to glueing the smaller pieces together that were constructed outside the tank right?

No problem. When I say connect them inside, you can either glue some small pieces to togesther or connect a few pieces by stacking them. Especially if you know they’re are sturdy and not moving unless you physical moved it. Hence I have some pieces glued for bridges/caves but mostly just stacked so I can remove the rocks to frag corals.

 

[DWPhilli]

You can also glue it together outside the tank, then carefully move it into the tank, very carefully. It depends on the design and how heavy it is.

I had my rocks on cardboard placed where I wanted to display. Then as I walked by daily, I would tweak it and finally start to glue it together where necessary. I still do not have a tank, but I have my aquascape ready to go.