Quikcrete hydraulic cement

[Spitty]

Hi all, just wondering if anyone has used the hydraulic cement from Home Depot to aquascape? I’ve read that people have used it but I am unsure if it’s really safe. Any thoughts?

 

[Spitty]

This stuff=

 

[Spitty]

Nothing?

 

[Maritimer]

I've never used it ... or heard of it being used. Possibly some of the #reefsquad have.

I have heard of folks using JB Waterweld, which is an epoxy, similar to those sold at reef shops.

~Bruce

 

[JoshH]

I've heard of it being used before but it does degrade over years and I'm talking around 10 Or So. I went with epoxy myself.

 

[Spitty]

I've been researching a bit more and discovered Marco 400 uses a acrylic polymer resin in the liquid it comes with to help resist cracking. I think I will break down and spend the extra dough and go with the Marco 400. Has anyone used this product? If so what were your results? I'm starting a 210 and I plan on drilling and cementing some rock structures.

 

[Idoc]

I used it on my aquascape, but sparingly to "spot cement" a few rocks together. It works very well. It might make your skimmer go crazy for a day or so.

It sets up really fast! I believe Home Depot also sells an additive that slows that process down a bit... which is probably what the expensive Marco cement uses. I would only mix a small dixie cup at a time and by the time i walked from my garage to my tank, it would go from soup to clay consistency. Just add some more water to it just before you place it.

 

[jsker]

I would suggest not using it. I would suggest looking into Aquaforest's Stone fix and poly glue. I have used the stone fix wet in the DT and it is still set after two years

 

[Spitty]

Ok, I'll look into the aqua forest product. My tank is not set up yet but I have 100+ pounds of dry rock. I am planning to create some structures, let it set up, then cure the rock for a few months while I continue to buy tank equipment. So I'm really taking it slow and want to make wise decisions.....

 

[Matthew Frost]

Ive never seen this product before but I have spent a lot of time around concrete. It reacts poorly to salt water, without knowing the makeup of this product and knowing that the salt water WILL corrode it I would be incredibly nervous of putting a product like this in my tank knowing how little chemical infiltration it takes to destroy a reef tank and kill marine life.

 

[mahindra.dev]

Lot of ppl with Marco 400 experience. Check out the new aquascape forum and @chefjpaul aquascape. He uses Marco a lot. As @jsker suggested Aquaforest products are also good. I think spending the extra on Marco is well worth it

 

[jsker]

Lot of ppl with Marco 400 experience. Check out the new aquascape forum and @chefjpaul aquascape. He uses Marco a lot. As @jsker suggested Aquaforest products are also good. I think spending the extra on Marco is well worth it

Agree, Marco has a good product.

 

[Bayareareefer18]

Great product. I use it quite often but never in a fish tank

 

[OriginalUserName]

I've heard of it being used before but it does degrade over years and I'm talking around 10 Or So. I went with epoxy myself.

JB Weld etc. also degrades. The older stuff I have starts to get crumbly and loses grip over the years.

I'm going to try out that dental style epoxy next time around.

 

[Spitty]

Does anyone know how long the Marco and aquforest cement has been on the market? I’m just wondering about the longevity of these products, maybe they will deteriorate over a period of many years as well?

 

[Huntor0]

I have used quickcrete water stop hydraulic cement with quickcrete concrete acrylic fortifier (No. 8610) to mortar rocks together to create shelves and arches. I used it sparingly and as mentioned above it dries super fast so I only mixed enough for each joint 1 at a time.

 

[Spitty]

Thanks for that acrylic fortifier number. I may go this route, a heck of a lot less cost

 

[scuzy]

I've used this

N427 BASF MasterEmaco N 427 and acryl60

It's the same stuff as marco called emarco 400

Basf n427 is replacement for basf emarco 400

Call your local contractor supply shop.

Or I bought my 50lb back for 99 shipped 59.99 bag and $40 shipping but I could used this and make a lot of rock bonding.

 

[jefra]

I've used Quickcrete with no issues whatsoever.

 

[rygh]

I used that exact concrete, with terrible results.
It disintegrated over about 3 years.

But, part of that was user error.
The first rocks had carefully measured acrylic fortifier, and I did it in small pieces. They were ok-ish.
Key : It sets REALLY fast.
As I did more, I got a bit sloppy, did more at once, used a bit more water than I should, and worked it a bit too long.
Still, it was not done "badly" wrong, just not perfectly.