Rock and Epoxy

[PolandSpring]

I recently bought a new tank and i am starting to begin my aquascape. I want my rock structure to be very stable so i was wondering what type of epoxy is good to use on rock to keep it together? I'll try and get a picture of my new rock structure. I think it came out really good!

 

[jerl77]

drill it and put rods throw them

 

[Invert]

I use Aquamend, Picked it up a Home Depot.
My Current project has 25 sticks of it holding together my rock structure.

 

[PolandSpring]

yah i think i m gona use that. Thats more what i was looking for. thnks

 

[Invert]

I had dry rock to work with, I have never tried to use 2 part epoxy under water or on wet rock.
He is what I was able to create with a lot of dry rock, several sticks of epoxy, & a lot of time.

My tank is a new set-up and I am cycling the rock in fresh water for awhile, just in case there is any residue from the epoxy.
Then I will drain and a new salt water.

 

[PolandSpring]

o wow, thats nice. I forgot to mention that my rock is dry also. I still have to buy a few things for my tank right now.

I'll try and take a pic of my rock structure later, i think it came out really good. Its for a 90gallon TechTank

 

[Surf&turf]

Looks nice

 

[Invert]

'll try and take a pic of my rock structure later, i think it came out really good. Its for a 90gallon TechTank

Lets see those pictures,

 

[Murfman]

drill it and put rods throw them

I agree, use acrylic or fiberglass rods and make the structures any way you want. This way, you can remove them in smaller pieces vs some 80# giant rock!

 

[PolandSpring]

How long does it take for the epoxy to dry? And what color is it?

 

[Invert]

The Aquamend that I used is Green w/White Center when in the tube and after mixed it is white.
It is hard to the touch in about 20 minutes, I let it cure overnight before moving & lifting.

 

[TANKSALOT]

The Aquamend is the same stuff we use to attach fragsw and frag rocks.
It can be pulled apart with a serious tug later.
Epoxy may be too permanent.

As we all have or will, the aqua scape gets changed :wink:

 

[iani]

If the rock is dry use Sakrete hydraulic cement. Use the white color if possible.

 

[PolandSpring]

well, am i able to use the aquamend on dry rock? Also, i've heard that they dont sell aquamend anymore and it is now WaterWeld. Is it the same thing?

 

[TANKSALOT]

Could be..... it is like a putty that has 2 different colors. The center and the outer colors mix and it basically creates an epoxy.
I just find it easier to remove later compared with actual epoxy

 

[underwaterfirefighter]

If the Sakrete hydraulic cement is used does it have to be cured before it goes in the tank? Thanks.

Dave

 

[TANKSALOT]

If the Sakrete hydraulic cement is used does it have to be cured before it goes in the tank? Thanks.

Dave

I had heard that it needed 30 days to cure. Maybe someone that has used it can shed some light on this.

 

[Murfman]

I know Lowe's sells a concrete used to line wells, Quickrete Water WAll. It is a yellow bucket with green writing on it. It does not have to be cycled, but rinsing and testing is recommended. There is a discussion on it here;

the super cube - The Southern Colorado Marine Aquarist Society

 

[PolandSpring]

When i use the aquamend, should i use gloves?

 

[lhcorals]

If the Sakrete hydraulic cement is used does it have to be cured before it goes in the tank? Thanks.

Dave

We had a guy in our local club who used it. He cured it for 2 months and then added to the tank and his water parameters were all over the place. He finally removed the rock work he used it on out of the tank after 2 months. Said he would never do it again. I dont know what his practices were for curing the rock.