making custom aquascape

[snake1]

I plan on drilling the dry rock i have to make my own aquascape i purchased fiberglass driveway marker sticks from home depot and I have the drills and bits to drill concrete.....what would everyone recommend to bond or hold the rocks together like a glue or epoxy or concrete that would be reef safe thanks....

 

[tonymission]

I did the same thing but didn't even use a glue or epoxy. Depends on what you're trying to do I guess but the rods just work on their own for me. Very solid

 

[CuzzA]

I didn't use acrylic rods. I just used Portland cement and made what appear to be branches at every contact point. If you need some fast setting support you can use a little fast setting epoxy to hold it in place before applying the cement.

Here's a pic of the finished product. It's basically 3 large structures. The 2 center base rocks are not attached and the center rock on the large arch was slightly attached inside the tank. I did it this way because the center brace would prohibit putting the entire structure in the tank and when I break it down all I have to do is break the center arch.

 

[snake1]

I didn't use acrylic rods. I just used Portland cement and made what appear to be branches at every contact point. If you need some fast setting support you can use a little fast setting epoxy to hold it in place before applying the cement.

Here's a pic of the finished product. It's basically 3 large structures. The 2 center base rocks are not attached and the center rock on the large arch was slightly attached inside the tank. I did it this way because the center brace would prohibit putting the entire structure in the tank and when I break it down all I have to do is break the center arch.

Very nice. ..I wasn't sure on that method but Portland cement is safe I take it ...your tank looks great thank you

 

[snake1]

Is that Portland cement like the 80# bag or can you get a smaller bucket I also figured cement would be grey yours looks white

 

[CuzzA]

I believe true Portland cement is just white. It only becomes gray if additives like iron and magnesium are added.

I'm sure you could find it in different sizes. I just had some laying around from when I did my travertine floor and after researching it was safe to use, that's what I did. ;-) Most DIY rock is just rock salt, sand and Portland cement, so you could probably start your search there to see what others purchased.

 

[snake1]

Awesome thanks cuzza

 

[CuzzA]

You're welcome. My advice is take your time and build something awesome and creative! Also try to think ahead about coral placement and maybe even drill out frag plug holes to make attaching much easier. A few drops of superglue with a plug in a whole will make it so much easier. I wish I would have done that. ;-)

 

[snake1]

Yeah that is a good idea for the plug holes

 

[CrazyEyes]

I used JB water weld on mine. And you can honestly pick it up from anywhere on the structure.

 

[snake1]

I wasn't sure on the jb water weld when I had seen them at home depot they look like the epoxy stick made for aquariums but smaller amount for about the same price so I asked around and had some people tell me the epoxy sticks are not really made to bond the rocks together so I didn't waste any money going that route....but doing more reading I'm hearing more people using concrete and jb weld approach and something called water plug at home depot ....tank looks good crazy eyes good light spread I like the aquascape...

 

[laserjim]

I used JB Water Weld, works good.