To glue or not to glue?

[Seadoc]

Hi all,
While my reefer 350 is currently cycling, a question came to mind. I read at the time I was doing the aquascape that some people will secure the pieces of live rock with epoxy/putty/cyanoacrylate, while others don't. I am still not sure what to do in that regard.

You can see the aquascape in the little video below. It is made of 75lbs of reef saver Marco rocks sitting on top of each other rather solidly. If I decide to glue the pieces together, now is the time, before adding the CUC (when algae shows its ugly head). On the other hand, I read that some solutions to problems later call for removing "a piece" of rock to cleaned/scrub it/catch a pest. Seems that this will be difficult if all the rocks are attached to each others.

So, what do you guys do with your rocks?

Picture in case the video does not work:

 

[jsvand5]

I can’t get your video to work but I only attach rocks when I am trying to make an overhang that won’t work without it. Aside from that everything is dry stacked.

 

[Seadoc]

I can’t get your video to work but I only attach rocks when I am trying to make an overhang that won’t work without it. Aside from that everything is dry stacked.

Thanks. Added a picture in case the video does not work. Have you had any problems with CUC moving rocks around? My guess is that the rocks are too heavy and "stuck" to each other for them to do it.

 

[motortrendz]

I use epoxy to stack most of my rocks if I feel they're not stable enough to not move.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I don't but if I could in the future, I think I will. Always nervous about an avalanche

 

[lapin]

I have marco rocks. They each weight 25 to 45 lbs so my livestock, including my urchin cant move them.
I would use a little putty if you plan on livestock that likes to move stuff. It will hold but can be pulled part if needed. If you cant knock the stack over without some force and will have peaceful critters then you can prob just dry stack them.

 

[Flippers4pups]

I've used in the past fiberglass rod and drilling the rock with a masonry bit. It can allow rocks to be removed when needed.

More permanent, same as above but using quikrete hydraulic cement to glue them together. This needs to be done when the rock is dry for the cement to cure.

My current aquascape was done this way.

 

[ScottR]

I don't but if I could in the future, I think I will. Always nervous about an avalanche

+1 Same here. Mine are just stacked and sometimes when I need to move something, I feel the whole structure move and worry it’ll all fall down.

 

[James77]

I've never glued, only wedged pieces tightly so they cannot fall.

I have had a few aquascapes where I wanted a rock perched where it would likely fall. You can also drill through the rock with a masonry bit (it drills easily) and tap an acrylic rod through, like from an old set of venetian blinds.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Fiberglass driveway markers from Lowe's or home Depot. Cut to length needed. 1/4" masonry bit. Like @James77 said, rocks should be easy to drill.

 

[ScottR]

Fiberglass driveway markers from Lowe's or home Depot. Cut to length needed. 1/4" masonry bit. Like @James77 said, rocks should be easy to drill.

I love that idea. Keeps them in place and allows you to move later if needed.