Question about Aquascaping liverock using Epoxy (While inside your tank)

KMS.Kyle

KMS.Kyle

New member
Hello,

I'm about to undertake a little adventure and I'm looking for some advice on how to properly do this.

I bought 2 sticks of Fluval Epoxy
http://www.fluvalaquatics.com/ca/product/14353-aquatic-epoxy-stick/#.VmKZvHarRhE

And I'm going to attempt to solidify my live rock structure and open up some space against the glass that the rock is currently leaning against and also prop up the right shelf using the epoxy and some live rock pieces (to make the table more flat).

Now - I was wondering if I'm able to do this without taking the base rocks out of the tank? Here's the issue - My Firefin most definitely won't leave his cave in the massive rock to the right AND my Golden sleeper will also hide under the rocks in his massive cave network.

I was hoping to remove some water and be able to work with the adhesive under water - Has anyone had any experience doing this?

Reef1.jpg


To this (colored pieces are the ones being modified)
liverock.png
 
I dont have experience with it but I'd like to know as well. My rock work is being held together by its own weight, and I need to solidify it.

But I do know that people use it underwater.

does that yellow faced goby drop sand on your corals? I like the way they look but I have heard that they will bring sand up and drop it down
 
reefbroao said:
I dont have experience with it but I'd like to know as well. My rock work is being held together by its own weight, and I need to solidify it.

But I do know that people use it underwater.

does that yellow faced goby drop sand on your corals? I like the way they look but I have heard that they will bring sand up and drop it down
Click to expand...

He does occasionally but I have enough flow that it clears it off of them pretty quickly - It really is never enough to stick.

He's such a character - Him and my Wrasse have become best friends and swim/hunt together - they have the funniest relationship.
 
Ive wanted one but my lfs said they do that. but I have 2 koralias and a jaebao so that may work

thats crazy I have a melanurus too I might go and check him out tomorrow
 
It will cure underwater without an issue. I have used it to secure my frags to my rockwork. I personally like the instant ocean brand better. The fluval one is more wet when working it in your fingers and you can visibly see it leaching something into the water for a few minutes until it bonds. Your going to get a film on top of your water and lots of micro bubbles but don't fret. It will clear up in a few hours and I've never had a livestock loss from it. One thing I will mention is it kind of sucks for securing rock pieces together. I built my rock work up with it in a way that it was dependent on the epoxy not to topple over. In other words it would not have been possible to stack the rock like that without it and it toppled over the next time I cleaned my tank from only a slight brush of my arm. Was a big mess. I think the issue is one that underwater and wet it's hard to get it to really mold into the rocks, it kind of peels off so use a lot, and also the natural pourus nature of the rock provides a poor bonding surface. It will definitely help to secure things in place but I wouldn't expect it to make it completely solid like it would be on metal or pvc.
 
I've used this stuff underwater. Definitely works and will harden underwater no problem.
It will make your skimmer overflow like crazy for awhile.
Because of that, I wouldn't do too much at once.
Maybe do it before a scheduled water change, to help.
 
It will make your skimmer overflow like crazy for awhile.
Click to expand...

This.
I use the Two Little Fishies brand which works well but packaging recommends turning off the skimmer for 24 hours after use. Even with this we had quite a bit of foaming for a while.
 
I use JB Waterweld without issue and have for years. It is the very same stuff, and usually a good bit cheaper. Regardless of the color when it cures, it will quickly become covered in coraline and disappear into the rocks
 
Fishfreak_MA said:
One thing I will mention is it kind of sucks for securing rock pieces together. I built my rock work up with it in a way that it was dependent on the epoxy not to topple over. In other words it would not have been possible to stack the rock like that without it and it toppled over the next time I cleaned my tank from only a slight brush of my arm. Was a big mess. I think the issue is one that underwater and wet it's hard to get it to really mold into the rocks, it kind of peels off so use a lot, and also the natural pourus nature of the rock provides a poor bonding surface. It will definitely help to secure things in place but I wouldn't expect it to make it completely solid like it would be on metal or pvc.
Click to expand...


Thanks for that - I'll keep that in mind.

I'm a LITTLE worried but i'm going to use TWO sticks and really create a solid mold to at least hold it in place (on the left).

The one on the right, I'm not too worried because the weight of the plate on top is so heavy that I can't see it moving much.


This is going to be a battle in such a deep tank :/

Wish me luck!
 
billdogg said:
I use JB Waterweld without issue and have for years. It is the very same stuff, and usually a good bit cheaper. Regardless of the color when it cures, it will quickly become covered in coraline and disappear into the rocks
Click to expand...

+1
Use the same stuff all the time, well not all the time, but once in a while. :lolspin:

Hardens underwater, is way cheaper, is safe to use with inhabitants in the tank, and as with all epoxies it will make your skimmer go nuts for a while.
 
the trick is that you cant expect it to really stick to the rock. It will harden into shape fine but if it isn't mooshed into the crevices well, the pieces just come apart like a puzzle. I'ts good for making a stable base so the rocks don't wobble but it won't hold them someplace they don't stay on their own, if that makes sense. When I use it to glue frags I put a glob of superglue on the places where it makes contact with rock, to give it some grab. I don't think that's realistic for an aquascape tho.

But really you don't want all your rocks permanently stuck together anyway, it's better if you can get it apart to retrieve a fish or clean the tank.
 
I agree, if you don't super glue it its darn near worthless. I would mix up one chunk at a time and mold it into like a really thick pancake. But a dollop of super glue on each side, press it onto rock a then press rock b into your epoxy. You have to be careful about how much glue though, if it squirts out it looks like crap, but if it's not enough it won't hold. But you definitely need the glue if you want it to be permanent.
 
yeah
look for a glue that is "cyanoacrylate" based, that's what every one uses for frags. The gel kind is easier cause it doesnt get everywhere.
I mean, don't like pour 5 bottles in there or anything, but it's ok for frags and stuff.
 
Well, I did it - but it definitely doesn't look pretty with the white epoxy.. Did my best..

Wish I looked into getting gel haha

Posting pics tomorrow.
 
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