PLEASE help me with my 300gallon NSA! IN PROGRESS NOW!!

[Miami Reef]

Sorry for the title

My fish and livestock is in a brute trash can and I need assistance with my aquascape. I killed all my live rock for this project.

I posted my inspiration. The next post will be my tank.

 

[Miami Reef]

Here is my tank.

I’m using superglue and silicone.

 

[Miami Reef]

That’s what I have now

 

[srcleary]

What kind of assistance are you looking for?

 

[Weasel1960]

You are apparently being inspired by 3 different NSA approaches. Minimal (Queens), heavy branch (BRS), and separate masses. You also appear to have a larger tank. What size is your tank and what is your livestock list now and future including corals.

I can see your tank having a large mass on one side slightly smaller on the other, each with several heavy branches to support corals and alley ways to support swim space add some islands of different sizes scattered about.

 

[F i s h y]

Silicone is no good won't bond like you want it to and will look unsightly. Use superglue and sand.

 

[Miami Reef]

You are apparently being inspired by 3 different NSA approaches. Minimal (Queens), heavy branch (BRS), and separate masses. You also appear to have a larger tank. What size is your tank and what is your livestock list now and future including corals.

I can see your tank having a large mass on one side slightly smaller on the other, each with several heavy branches to support corals and alley ways to support swim space add some islands of different sizes scattered about.

300 gallon tank. I have tangs, clownfish, foxface, puffers. I only want soft corals.

I need help with gluing. The super glue isn’t sticking and neither is the silicone.

How can I make the super glue work? I got the thick gel one but it’s only attaching to one side and hardening.

 

[sante21079]

Watch the Tidal Gardens aquascape video. I thought they were full of S**T .... their method works though. I just finished aquascaping a 215 and used their method.

 

[sante21079]

The glue they recommend is crazy good.

 

[srcleary]

The glue they recommend is crazy good.

I agree. I go through lots of this glue with my aquascape. Once dry it becomes harder than the rock. After I first glue it I’ll add sand and glue mixture around the edges to strengthen. I use mostly the thick and the medium. I have also found if you grind it with a dremel tool (cone shaped stone) you can barely see when you glued it.

I would encourage you to break up the rocks more. It’s easier working with smaller pieces and creating more unique shapes.

the attached images is a piece I am working on now. Used 4 PVC pipes. Ledge rock and misc pieces. This is a work in progress. Not finished yet. And this is only using superglue and sand.

 

[Thaxxx]

Where are your fishes sleeping quarters and hiding places?

 

[Miami Reef]

I ordered the super glue. I have special grade sand, will that be fine to use?

are these rock sizes ok? I want to do it like brs

 

[Weasel1960]

Sorry about earlier post from your question and picks thought you were looking for help getting started.

There are several BRS videos on Aquascaping and they use a heavy dose of glue put the rocks together then spray it with some sort of accelerator for initial bonding. Then go back over it with sand and glue or sand and mortar to add strength. Agree with not using silicone, that will give a soft connection that won’t hold up for strength.

 

[F i s h y]

@Glue Masters has the good glue. Use a thin superglue.

 

[Grill]

Spent a couple weekends in the garage and had a huge mess but the project turned out nice. I used this technique. Tidal Gardens aquascape

 

[Miami Reef]

I found this. Is it possible to replicate this for my 300 gallon tank? I would put a smaller island on the other side of the bonsai. I guess it will look like the minimal tank from the 1st post in this thread

 

[Miami Reef]

Actually!!

if I use this model, but instead of making mountains I make bonsai trees. I think that would look AWESOME