Thin cyanoacrylate

[Mike Arnold]

I know that I’m being lazy and/or anxious, but I was wondering if glued dry rock (Marco rock) has been tested for any length of time; will it hold up or break down in a short period without the support of Marco cement?

 

[happyhourhero]

I used rock powder and thin super glue and the bonds were stronger than the rock. It’s been wet for about 6 months now and it’s holding up fine so far.

 

[Haacheew]

I used 20-year old fine dried lived-sand to fill up and bind joints.

The NSA structure has been in my tank for 12 days now. Holds strong and well.

 

[happyhourhero]

 

[Haacheew]

@Mike Arnold
I used dried Fiji live-rock that is pretty porus (don't know much about Marco rock.) So, I strengthened this weakest support section (marked with yellow circle) by covering with a thin layer of sand all over and with generous amount of thin glue. I let the glue soaked deeply into the section. I know this section has turned into pretty much a "solid glued-brick" and nothing may grow or live inside. Hence, lose the "live rock" function but in exchange for a sturdy support.

You may want to structurally and seismically strengthen yours accordingly if it is a complete stand alone structure. Just my 2 cents. Have fun. (I had tons of fun doing my NAS AS.)

 

[Mike Arnold]

@Mike Arnold
I used dried Fiji live-rock that is pretty porus (don't know much about Marco rock.) So, I strengthened this weakest support section (marked with yellow circle) by covering with a thin layer of sand all over and with generous amount of thin glue. I let the glue soaked deeply into the section. I know this section has turned into pretty much a "solid glued-brick" and nothing may grow or live inside. Hence, lose the "live rock" function but in exchange for a sturdy support.

You may want to structurally and seismically strengthen yours accordingly if it is a complete stand alone structure. Just my 2 cents. Have fun. (I had tons of fun doing my NAS AS.)

Your NSA looks great. Thanks for your input. I was originally going to glue it up using Marco rock that I crushed into a fine sand, and then come back and reinforce it with cement and sand; however, that just seams like way too much work and overkill if the glue will hold up over the next few years; now I’m thinking that I will just reinforce it with aragonite sand and glue

 

[Jedi1199]

I built mine with glue and rock dust... The finer the powder the better. It has been wet since March and no signs of issues at all...

Edit.. Do not forget to use baking soda!! The fine powder makes an incredible bond that is stronger than the rock itself.. I only used the rock dust as a top coat to make the joints look more natural.

 

[Mike Arnold]

I built mine with glue and rock dust... The finer the powder the better. It has been wet since March and no signs of issues at all...

Edit.. Do not forget to use baking soda!! The fine powder makes an incredible bond that is stronger than the rock itself.. I only used the rock dust as a top coat to make the joints look more natural.

Looks great; Thanks. That’s what I’m doing with the rock dust; I sift the powder into one container the rock/sand into another

 

[Haacheew]

I built mine with glue and rock dust... The finer the powder the better. It has been wet since March and no signs of issues at all...

Edit.. Do not forget to use baking soda!! The fine powder makes an incredible bond that is stronger than the rock itself.. I only used the rock dust as a top coat to make the joints look more natural.

Will baking soda (sodium bi-carbonate) used as bonding agent with glue has chemical effect (e.g. temporarily lower water ph) to tank water parameters?

 

[Jedi1199]

Will baking soda (sodium bi-carbonate) used as bonding agent with glue has chemical effect (e.g. temporarily lower water ph) to tank water parameters?

Not that I am aware of... Make sure to rinse your finished piece well before adding it to the tank. The baking soda in the joint itself will be completely bonded and should be entirely inert. The loose powder that spills during the building process will need to be washed away.

One other thing.. When you build your structure, keep in mind that every piece you add not only adds weight the the overall structure.. but more elaborate designs become impossible to remove should you wish to pull it out for cleaning. Imagine you have GHA all over your structure.. do you want to tediously clean it off with a toothbrush while INSIDE the tank?

Build it in several interlocking pieces. Makes it far easier to both install and remove later on.