Tricks for securing rocks in place.

[steveschuerger]

I have a bit of a quandary. I have all my rocks loosely stacked for the most part. Any ideas for securing already in-tank live rock would be appreciated. Here’s what it looks like

 

[shakacuz]

other than applying quite a lot of epoxy, i would suggest playing “tetris” with your rock work. none of my rock work is glued. the only thing that gets toppled over is my maxima clam. it’s on a small flat rubble rock so it gets toppled over by my bigger hermit crabs

 

[Marquarium]

?????? your tank looks amazing

 

[steveschuerger]

?????? your tank looks amazing

Well, thanks . But there’s a reason why my urchins are in timeout in the back AIO fuge area.

 

[MoshJosh]

Think all those healthy corals are really holding your rockwork back. . . getting rid of most of those is probably the first step!

But for real I am not understanding the issue? Do you have rocks that are moving/getting moved around, or are you looking to add new rocks?

 

[Katrina71]

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I know people have used this

 

[jabberwock]

So, I am pretty sure stuff in the ocean moves around. Rocks and stuff, right? I would not try and manipulate the scape too much. Let it do what it does, I think.

 

[steveschuerger]

Think all those healthy corals are really holding your rockwork back. . . getting rid of most of those is probably the first step!

But for real I am not understanding the issue? Do you have rocks that are moving/getting moved around, or are you looking to add new rocks?

Both. I want to secure the ones on the top right as they’re pretty loosey goosey and have been bonked over by my urchins that presently are in the rear AIO fuge section. And I’m trying to win a box of dry rock in a contest. So if anyone has an idea to get the topmost section secured without gluing it to the high heavens…

 

[MoshJosh]

If taking the rocks out and gluing them is not an options. . . doesn't look like it is. . . I think a coral epoxy is probably the best bet. . . you could make some, lift the rock slightly, put the epoxy in between where the rocks touch to make a sort of rock epoxy sandwich, then press them together and do you best to cram and smear the epoxy so it is attached to both rocks. . .

 

[Katrina71]

You could try cutting small pieces of acrylic rods and glue into the holes in the rock to connect. It would offer more security without having to glue so much.

 

[steveschuerger]

If taking the rocks out and gluing them is not an options. . . doesn't look like it is. . . I think a coral epoxy is probably the best bet. . . you could make some, lift the rock slightly, put the epoxy in between where the rocks touch to make a sort of rock epoxy sandwich, then press them together and do you best to cram and smear the epoxy so it is attached to both rocks. . .

Sounds pretty good. All I really need to do is secure some of the uppermost pieces that tend to be smaller so as to prevent tip overs. And this would cover that.

 

[steveschuerger]

You could try cutting small pieces of acrylic rods and glue into the holes in the rock to connect. It would offer more security without having to glue so much.

I actually thought of something similar but never di implement it. The idea was to glue to frag plugs together and the drill holes for each side in the rock. But longer rods probably would work better.

 

[Katrina71]

I actually thought of something similar but never di implement it. The idea was to glue to frag plugs together and the drill holes for each side in the rock. But longer rods probably would work better.

I never thought about frag plugs. I would definitely not rule that out if you have a larger hole in the rock.

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

I am thinking of Maxspect coral epoxy. it is a silicone based epoxy (pinkish) that might be easy enough to force into some cracks to shore up those rocks. Also at family dollar in the craft section they have plastic spatula’s for oil/acrylics that I use for aquascaping.

 

[littlefoxx]

I took some epoxy and made little balls and put it in the cracks where the rocks met and formed it to them. Most of my rocks are not glued or epoxy though. I have eels and they tunnel all the time and never collapse rocks

 

[Reefkeepers Archive]

I just stack them until they fit, my aqascape actually collapsed twice while finishing up.. coral glue may hold to an extent, also encrusting LPS will form a strong skeleton if given enough time

 

[steveschuerger]

So maybe this . Drill and either use the frag plug idea or the acrylic rod and use some reef epoxy putty(which I have half a tube of) at the ends or stuff the holes with some.