Rocks fell when I tried to clean.

[James_O]

I tried to clean some snail poop off of my rock stack today, and the top three rocks fell! I manganese to somehow catch two of them, but the third one fell and hit the glass. Thankfully, nothing broke.

What can I do to secure these rocks? I don’t want any falling, breaking the glass. (Or my fish for that matter) I’m getting shrimp soon, and I know they will be all over those rocks, so I want them to be super solid.

Here is a pictures just for reference:

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

Superglue and 2-part epoxy. You can even bond them with emarco if you keep the live rock wet during the setting time (first 2 hours or so).

 

[landlubber]

either 1) cement them together as a single structure 2) pile them against the back glass 3) arrange them in a manner that they aren't easily moved.
All options work but be aware that if you do put rock against the glass it will attract algae. also, cementing is considerably easier to do before you cycle your tank.

 

[dvgyfresh]

Since already under water you can use seachem reef glue , it’s easy and holds

 

[James_O]

Since already under water you can use seachem reef glue , it’s easy and holds

Is reef glue ok to use under water? Or would I have to remove the rocks, let them dry, then glue them?

either 1) cement them together as a single structure 2) pile them against the back glass 3) arrange them in a manner that they aren't easily moved.
All options work but be aware that if you do put rock against the glass it will attract algae. also, cementing is considerably easier to do before you cycle your tank.

Do you have to use a specific type of cement?

Superglue and 2-part epoxy. You can even bond them with emarco if you keep the live rock wet during the setting time (first 2 hours or so).

Will just superglue work?

 

[dvgyfresh]

You can use it under water

 

[Suohhen]

Epoxy and super glue are a safe easy way to attach rocks underwater but the hold can weaken and give over time. The safest way to guarantee things will stay together is to add pvc or acrylic rod. Acrylic is small and easy to hide but it is also brittle and can break however the combination of 1/4in acrylic, epoxy, and super glue is safe and effective for a small scape imo.

 

[fachatga]

The ones for reefs tend to work underwater. If you want watch brs YouTube about gluing rocks. They show a bunch of ways to do it and types to use if you’re worried.

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

Superglue should hold and reduce rockslides. Once you start mounting coral and pressing plugs to the rock it can destabilize. Don't use glue bottle underwater but you can apply one rock outside of the water then secure it to a rock in the water. Builds up a film so just give it a light twist.

 

[James_O]

Epoxy and super glue are a safe easy way to attach rocks underwater but the hold can weaken and give over time. The safest way to guarantee things will stay together is to add pvc or acrylic rod. Acrylic is small and easy to hide but it is also brittle and can break however the combination of 1/4in acrylic, epoxy, and super glue is safe and effective for a small scape imo.

But I would need to remove and dry the rocks in order to do that, correct?

The ones for reefs tend to work underwater. If you want watch brs YouTube about gluing rocks. They show a bunch of ways to do it and types to use if you’re worried.

I will check out Bulk Reef to see what he has to say on it, thank you!

Superglue should hold and reduce rockslides. Once you start mounting coral and pressing plugs to the rock it can destabilize. Don't use glue bottle underwater but you can apply one rock outside of the water then secure it to a rock in the water. Builds up a film so just give it a light twist.

I do plan to get coral soon, and that’s another reason why I want it to be rock solid.

 

[zalick]

If that was my structure, I would drill holes and use acrylic or fiberglass rods.

 

[Suohhen]

But I would need to remove and dry the rocks in order to do that, correct?



I will check out Bulk Reef to see what he has to say on it, thank you!



I do plan to get coral soon, and that’s another reason why I want it to be rock solid.

You wouldn't need to dry them but you do have to remove them to drill. They cover all this in the brs video iirc.

 

[James_O]

If that was my structure, I would drill holes and use acrylic or fiberglass rods.

Is any kind safe? (Will probably look at a hardware store)

 

[landlubber]

Is reef glue ok to use under water? Or would I have to remove the rocks, let them dry, then glue them?



Do you have to use a specific type of cement?



Will just superglue work?

there are a number of commercially available putty style products specifically for mounting frags that work well. i've used them a few times but be aware many will disrupt your skimmer for a few days.
i saw acrylic rods mentioned which is a great way as well but i didn't mention it as to drill them in takes time and likely you'll end up resetting your cycle.
i personally just stack rock but not high and make sure its right down to the bottom glass so things don't shift when the substrate is moved.

 

[DaneGer21]

Looks like a small tank, why not some reef putty?

 

[Suohhen]

there are a number of commercially available putty style products specifically for mounting frags that work well. i've used them a few times but be aware many will disrupt your skimmer for a few days.
i saw acrylic rods mentioned which is a great way as well but i didn't mention it as to drill them in takes time and likely you'll end up resetting your cycle.
i personally just stack rock but not high and make sure its right down to the bottom glass so things don't shift when the substrate is moved.

For sure if you make a stable stack epoxy is enough but the way this tank is stacked rods are the safest way to go and having the rock out of the water for a small amount of time will not cause harm, will there be a mini cycle? Maybe. But this looks like a new tank anyway so now is the time to get things set up right.

 

[James_O]

You wouldn't need to dry them but you do have to remove them to drill. They cover all this in the brs video iirc.

I’ll check out the video before asking any more questions.

 

[James_O]

Looks like a small tank, why not some reef putty?

Is the Seachem Reef Glue any good?

 

[zalick]

For drilling, watch videos. The rock can break. If you keep it wet you shouldn’t have any cycling issues.

I use these:

Everbilt 48 in. Orange Ground Mount Reflective Rod 31474 - The Home Depot

Colorful and eye-catching, this orange 48 in. Reflective Rod is durable and easy to install in the ground thanks to its pencil point. It's high visibility reflective tape can be seen from a distance at

www.homedepot.com

 

[DaneGer21]

Never tried that

Is the Seachem Reef Glue any good?

But here’s what I’ve used before that works great. Stack your rocks and putty the rock joints together. Push and mold it into cracks etc. it can be used under water...this is how I made my arch before all these “new/messy” techniques came out haha

Instant Ocean HoldFast Epoxy Stick, Fish Safe (HF-1), 4USoz./113g