Hydraulic cement for aquascape?

[Meshmez]

Ok, I have been trying to search, because I know the info must be on here, but I can't find much info. So I'm sorry if I'm :deadhorse:

I'm going to be doing some aquascaping soon (hopefully this weekend), and I want to use something better than epoxy to hold my rocks together.

If there anything available at HD/Lowes?

I have seen some people using Quikrete hydraulic water stop cement. Is this stuff acceptable? should Quikrete Concrete Acrylic Fortifier be mixed in?

thanks

 

[ravi197699]

I have used white portland cement and sand mix for aquascape, this stuff dries white and rock solid, Hydraulic cement breaks down to powder after sometime, I have seen this in my tank ...

 

[jacksonpt]

No first hand experience, but this guy would advise against it.

Build Thread -
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2527781

Specific Post -
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=24238142&postcount=74

 

[Meshmez]

i had heard about it crumbling over time for some people, thats why i was wondering about the acrylic fortifier. i may try the portland cement setup that people use for making diy rocks. figured if the hydraulic cement worked it would be easiest

 

[BIGCYCS805]

I used it to build my aquascape i had to let it sit in ro water for about a month to 6 weeks while the ph regulated then months after had areas that were rock solid starting to crack and crumble away. I have since removed most of it as it just falls out of the rockwork . Definitely not something i would use again

 

[billdogg]

JB Waterweld is my go to for stabilizing rocks and for attaching frags.

 

[Gorgok]

Superglue and powdered rock as filler (the stuff you get when you poke at the dry rock) layer on layer makes rocks that are as if one piece in my experience. Plus its fun to make complex shapes out of plain looking things

This is probably 6 large chunks, with a few small ones bridging gaps... That cantilevered part butts against its neighbor to aid with stability, but its only glued to the rock pictured.

A couple others...

 

[Meshmez]

so did you somehow pre mix the superglue/dust? or do you put the rocks together, smother the gap with glue and then push a bunch of powder in it? im assuming you used super glue gel?

 

[Gorgok]

I used pretty thin stuff. I would get a point where the rocks made contact and put a bit there, then sprinkle it with dust to dry it. Blow off the loose dust. Then add another layer wetting the previous dust and building up the joint. Always tie into the rocks themselves too, just like welding... Eventually the bridge looks like any other bridge on the rock itself and the rock is solid enough to handle from any piece. It might not have been as fast as using globs of cement but it was fun.

The rocks are coming up to 2 years now and i haven't had anything come apart.

 

[uncleof6]

Ok, I have been trying to search, because I know the info must be on here, but I can't find much info. So I'm sorry if I'm :deadhorse:

I'm going to be doing some aquascaping soon (hopefully this weekend), and I want to use something better than epoxy to hold my rocks together.

If there anything available at HD/Lowes?

I have seen some people using Quikrete hydraulic water stop cement. Is this stuff acceptable? should Quikrete Concrete Acrylic Fortifier be mixed in?

thanks

I have used white portland cement and sand mix for aquascape, this stuff dries white and rock solid, Hydraulic cement breaks down to powder after sometime, I have seen this in my tank ...

Hydraulic Cement: This refers to any cement that uses water to begin a chemical reaction that hardens the mixture, and creates a water resistant product. There is no other valid definition, other than misused ad hype.

Portland Cement: Refers to a manufacturing process, and is the most common type of cement in use world wide. This type of cement is a hydraulic cement. The uses are concrete, mortar, stucco, and non-speciality grout.

White Portland Cement: is a type of Portland Cement blend. One of the chief uses is in plaster. Because it is a Portland cement, it is hydraulic.

White Portland cement, Low Alkali type, is the "premiere" cement for creating "DIY" rock, which is a concrete composed of cement, aggragate, (aragonite) and a "filler" to keep the weight down. Originally the "filler" was an inert product (acrylic shavings.) There are numerous recipes floating around. Most of these recipes are fairly "loose" in terms of saying "use Portland Cement," oyster shell, or other materials of high alkali content. This results in rock that is very stubborn in terms of pH stabilization (often called "curing;" however pH stabilization is a different process.) Sometimes this rock will not pH stabilize.

One cannot obtain any of the ingredients for our purposes, from a Big Box store. A construction supply that caters to swimming pool builders, is a good place to start, when looking for a "White Portland Cement, Low Alkali Type." Riverside is a reputable brand.