glueing rock formations...?

[GREYER..51]

yes hello...brand new at this...i have a 55 gallon fresh...i want 2 get creative with small pebbles/stones/seashells/gravel etc., and make up some neat formations like walls/columns/caves/bridges etc...ive been experimenting with glues and adhesives but no luck...the regular silicone just wont hold tight when adjoining slick stones or when attached to driftwood...what about mortar? what about bathroom floor tile adhesive? i dont want to just stack up rocks....i was thinking of taking a 12''x 12'' piece of new floor ceramic floor tile and starting that as a base then start adhereing my stones and such to that...this way i would have a decorative one of a kind piece that could even be given away as a gift or even sold...the only glue that has even come close to working is...super glue...it works great...but only on very tiny pieces with smoothe surfaces...it wont work on sandstone or limestone or wood...someone said to try mortar...but would that hold up under water? would a tub/tile grout type stuff work? well ty all for any input would greatly appreciated. pat

 

[Bri Guy]

[welcome]

I was thinkin of making something like what your talking about. I wasn't going to get fancy with shells and details, but it would be a basket ball size reef rock, made up of many small pieces of live rock held togther by this stuff...

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=3961&N=2004+113708

I was also going to build mine on a flat surface, then when its put into the tank it would be on a piece of starboard (little squares made of plastic that you see over flo light fixtures in buildings) cut to size so its just under the rock reef. You may need a lot of this stuff so it may be too expensive for what your looking for, but it is safe for the fish, and even cures under water.

I use Gel type Crazy Glue for frag to rock work, and it holds great.

Or you could use good old Silicone, the same stuff they make the tanks with. Just put a bunch between each piece and when it oozes out, put your shells on the excess.

I wouldn't use limestone or sand stone, even in fresh water, it will erode. So will the wood in time, so good luck gluing those things together, the stuff I suggested is good for regular rocks, Live rock.

You should read up on here a bit and get a salt water going. Once you go salt you don't go back 50yrs in the hobby thats great, did you start with natives?

 

[SaltyDr]

Can use Aquamend an epoxy that comes in a "stick", you break a piece off, kneed it together and then it forms a tight bond that is waterproof. Will even cure under water.

 

[Salamander]

Aquamend is the way to go. Same as the other stuff in th link but 75% cheaper.

You could also use something like portland cemement. Search DIY Liverock to get some recipes.

I think what Bri Guy is calling starboard is what most call "eggcrate" but the hardware store calls a lightdiffuser. Starboard is a slang name fore white plastic cutting board material that people use for BB tanks.