Hardscape gluing - What glue (mastic) should I buy?

[leeransetton]

Hi,

I'm very new in the US and I don't know the brands (nor correct terminology) to be sure I order a good glue for the rocks.

What I do know is that I need marble glue (it's a direct translation from my language), so I found "Tenax Travertine Filler Buff". Not sure if it's good/poisonous/expensive/good/etc.

I'm planning on a nano tank (specifically the Red Sea Max Nano), so just to get an idea of the amount I'm gonna use.

Please advise as to what I should purchase.

Thanks!

 

[gone fishin]

Are you wanting to permanently fix the rocks together or something to hold the rock in place?


If it is to just hold them in place I would suggest an epoxy putty such as JB waterweld.

 

[leeransetton]

I want the rocks to be in place as long as the aquarium is running. I'd need to apply a bit pressure when gluing frags in the future, or just be clumsy and touch the rocks accidentaly. In those cases, I don't want the hardscape to fall apart.

Not sure if it falls under permanently or just hold the rocks in place, though. (Not trying to be a clown or somthing, genuinely didn't fully understand the question).

 

[gone fishin]

I understand what your going for. I would go with the epoxy I mentioned. If you ever decide to rearrange the rock they can be pulled apart fairly easy. I believe the epoxy would hold up well to pressure from putting corals in place.

 

[leeransetton]

JB waterweld is just like AquaMend, right?

 

[gone fishin]

It seems to be a similar product.

 

[leeransetton]

Ok, so I think I need a stronger glue..

 

[gone fishin]

Sorry then that is all I have used to help keep things in place. I know some folks will drill holes and cut pieces of fiberglass rod to use as pins. Most folks will use a rod from like a driveway reflector. I have never done this, so I don't know how well it holds up or how hard it is.

 

[billdogg]

I'm with Tony on this. IMHO (In my humble opinion) the very last thing you want to do is fix the rocks together so that they cannot be taken apart. The time will come when you want to change things around, or have to catch a fish, or remove a dead fish, etc and it will invariably be at a spot that you cannot get to if nothing can be moved.

I have used countless tubes of JB Waterweld (available at any Home Depot/Lowes) without any issue at all. It is essentially the very same thing as Aquamend, just less expensive. All you need to do is stabilize the rocks so that they don't fall due to an urchin plowing through or similar so it works perfectly for that.

It is also invaluable for attaching frags to the rockwork when you are ready for that. It and Superglue Gel (whatever brand is cheapest - cyanoacrylate is cyanoacrylate regardless of brand name) are my go-to reef glues. There are way too many other things to spend money on in this hobby - if I can safely save a few $$$ I will.

 

[leeransetton]

Ok ok, I'll give it a try
Worst case, I remove the JBWW and use another glue. No biggie.

This is my previous rockscape (using marble glue):

 

[WatDatThing]

that looks very nice.

 

[leeransetton]

Thank you

With the corals on it, it looked way better

 

[Dr. Reef]

I have used pond foam sealant before to fix rocks. It's called Great stuff pond sealer. After setting it's like a foam sponge. It holds enough pressure putting frags etc on rocks . Aquascape never shifted or fell apart. Once needed with a hard force they can be taken apart.

 

[leeransetton]

I have used pond foam sealant before to fix rocks. It's called Great stuff pond sealer. After setting it's like a foam sponge. It holds enough pressure putting frags etc on rocks . Aquascape never shifted or fell apart. Once needed with a hard force they can be taken apart.

I'm gonna give it a try!
Thanks