Should I secure my live rock?

TikiBird · Sep 16, 2016

My rocks are arriving today and I am so excited!! Can't wait to get them in my BioCube 29!

My question is, should I secure my rocks in some way in the tank? I don't have them yet so I can't take a pic, but I don't *think* I will do anything really complicated with them. Should I use an epoxy (which one?) or some such to secure them anyway?

Thanks everyone!

jasonrusso · Sep 16, 2016

No, just make them secure. Remember, they are lighter in the water.

If you glue them together, you won't be able to change them up or move them if you need to maintain things.

saltyfilmfolks · Sep 16, 2016

Agreed but A cavat, depends on the scape.

What rock did you go with?

stevo01 · Sep 16, 2016

I think it depends on what your putting in the tank for life. Crabs, big snails would be things to consider. Also, be sure to burry the base rock, as sand sifting inhabitants can potentially bring a scape down. Coral only tank, you could do anything you wanted with the the rock and not worry about it falling. Walking dendro and anemones being exceptions to that thought.

oneofmany · Sep 16, 2016

A little epoxy in the joints wouldn't hurt IMO. (JB WaterWeld) This will keeps the rocks secure and you'll still be able to pull them apart later on if need be.

stevo01 · Sep 16, 2016

jasonrusso said:
No, just make them secure. Remember, they are lighter in the water.

If you glue them together, you won't be able to change them up or move them if you need to maintain things.

Rocks that are super glued will pop apart fairly easily. Maybe it's the method tho. I use super glue gel in a "tac weld" method. Several small contact points. I try to use it minimally. Sometimes too minimally lol. Hermit crabs are strong...

I'm considering using a long drill, acrylic rods, and epoxy in my 65g rocksscape. I want to make some crazy towers and arch's. Combining my current live rock in the 20g (50lbs of "mixed rock from around the world") with 40lbs of Marco prime cuts.

kingston.buck · Sep 16, 2016

You could always drill a hole or two through the two rocks you want held togther and use acrylic rods to pin them together. Good because it's not permanent but keeps them from moving or shifting

Shep · Sep 16, 2016

Some people do secure with glue or drilling holes and zip tying it but its really depends upon what you have in the tank and your rock work.

stevo01 · Sep 16, 2016

kingston.buck said:
You could always drill a hole or two through the two rocks you want held togther and use acrylic rods to pin them together. Good because it's not permanent but keeps them from moving or shifting

I've never done this before but I want to try something. Being a machinist by trade, I know caution should be used when drilling. Don't want to accidentally crack any rocks. So depending on the size of rod being used and drill hole location several size drill may be needed, as well as specific type of drills. I lack the knowledge or experience in this application but I'm guessing a concrete drill would suffice. Also don't recommend drilling the rock dry. Could use some tank water as a lubricant, but maybe something else would work better.

TikiBird · Sep 16, 2016

Thank you so much, all of you!! [emoji16] I'm so glad I can ask you questions and get such great answers!! And thanks for not mocking my newbie questions. [emoji23]

@saltyfilmfolks, I ended up with the aquacultured live rock from ARC Reef. I actually bought it on Amazon (free shipping!) but it came directly from ARC Reef and they were great about answering my questions and communicating with me.

My rocks came early today!! They are bigger pieces than I was expecting! I think I might not have enough room in my BioCube for all of them, but we'll see how it goes.

I'll start a build thread later and post some pics! [emoji3]

saltyfilmfolks · Sep 16, 2016

stevo01 said:
Could use some tank water as a lubricant, but maybe something else would work better.

yup. You right on track, not a hard diy but takes a bit of practice.

saltyfilmfolks · Sep 16, 2016

TikiBird said:
Thank you so much, all of you!! [emoji16] I'm so glad I can ask you questions and get such great answers!! And thanks for not mocking my newbie questions. [emoji23]

@saltyfilmfolks, I ended up with the aquacultured live rock from ARC Reef. I actually bought it on Amazon (free shipping!) but it came directly from ARC Reef and they were great about answering my questions and communicating with me.

My rocks came early today!! They are bigger pieces than I was expecting! I think I might not have enough room in my BioCube for all of them, but we'll see how it goes.

I'll start a build thread later and post some pics! [emoji3]

no nononono WE WANT PICS!!!!!!!

Right on the floor dont care.

TikiBird · Sep 16, 2016

saltyfilmfolks said:
no nononono WE WANT PICS!!!!!!! Right on the floor dont care.

[emoji23][emoji23][emoji23] I love that!! And you know I have some! Lol

Ok so here is how the rocks arrived. Those are buckets of saltwater. I am ridiculously proud of myself for figuring out how to use the Refractometer to check it out. [emoji16]

Here is where the rocks are right now--in the buckets of saltwater. I wasn't expecting them so early in the day and my tank isn't in place yet! I have to wait for my husband to get home and help me out and then I can finally get this thing going!

It's hard to tell scale, but they're 5 gallon buckets and some pieces reach the top of the buckets!

saltyfilmfolks · Sep 16, 2016

SQUEEEEEEEE! LOve it!
youll need some flow in there. These are great to keep in your tool kit(when your good ones die in the night)
https://www.amazon.com/SunSun-JVP-1...UTF8&qid=1474053638&sr=1-4&keywords=wavemaker

helen ann · Sep 16, 2016

Nice Rocks! You might wanna get some goggles and an hammer ready as the space in the BC29 is kinda tight!

You should start your build thread with those images!

Will be following!

TikiBird · Sep 16, 2016

saltyfilmfolks said:
SQUEEEEEEEE! LOve it!
youll need some flow in there. These are great to keep in your tool kit(when your good ones die in the night)
https://www.amazon.com/SunSun-JVP-1...UTF8&qid=1474053638&sr=1-4&keywords=wavemaker

Oh those look great and are cheap! Amazing. Lol

Will the live rock be ok for a few hours without flow in the buckets or do I need to run out right now and get some powerheads for the buckets? I feel so silly I didn't think about this before...

saltyfilmfolks · Sep 16, 2016

TikiBird said:
Oh those look great and are cheap! Amazing. Lol

Will the live rock be ok for a few hours without flow in the buckets or do I need to run out right now and get some powerheads for the buckets? I feel so silly I didn't think about this before...

Fine imo

stevo01 · Sep 16, 2016

Nice big rocks!

TikiBird · Sep 16, 2016

helen ann said:
Nice Rocks! You wanna get some goggles and an hammer ready as the space in the BC29 is kinda tight!
You should start your build thread with those images!
Will be following!

Thank you, @helen ann!! This is gonna sound weird, but I feel like I know you because I've been lurking so long and following your BioCube thread! [emoji23] Thank you for posting it. It's so interesting! Also, glad you are back. [emoji122]

helen ann · Sep 16, 2016

TikiBird said:
Thank you, @helen ann!! This is gonna sound weird, but I feel like I know you because I've been lurking so long and following your BioCube thread! [emoji23] Thank you for posting it. It's so interesting! Also, glad you are back. [emoji122]

Yes, I have seen you lurking on my lil' thread!!!

Love my BC29 and still debating to keep it along with the 56g or just move everything over!

Thank you!!! Wasn't gone that long! It's an addiction, actually one I might need a support group for!