Re-scaping help

[b86]

I've had a 29g with 10 sump set up for about 6 months. I started with a couple pounds of live rock and a few months later started adding dry rock. I now have about 13 pounds of rock. Me being me, I never looked into how to "aqua-scape" (until yesterday) so now I have carefully stacked layers of rocks, which still actually look decent to me with the "caves" that were created, but now I can see how wrong it is.

I would like to take the rocks out a few at a time and silicon them together in a pillar type of pattern but I'm not sure if the bacteria on the rocks will die if I let it sit out for a few hours while the silicon dries. Anybody have any thoughts on this?

 

[Aerosol]

You can use epoxy. It can cure in the water, so you can stick the rocks together and put them back in the tank. Also, there really is no right or wrong with scaping. Mine is not as cool as most other people's tanks, but I'm satisfied with it.

 

[thegrun]

Do not use silicone, it takes two weeks to fully cure and be reef safe. Use a two part epoxy

 

[toothybugs]

I highly doubt you're doing 'scaping "wrong" because if you are, then I've been doing it wrong for years. I just piled my rock in until I liked it, then put water over the top of it. Never used glue or anything to make structures because I like the "arranged pile" look.

 

[b86]

You can use epoxy. It can cure in the water, so you can stick the rocks together and put them back in the tank. Also, there really is no right or wrong with scaping. Mine is not as cool as most other people's tanks, but I'm satisfied with it.

Do not use silicone, it takes two weeks to fully cure and be reef safe. Use a two part epoxy

Thank you for the replies. I will use epoxy, but let me make sure i understand. I see some epoxy that says it cures in 24 hours. Does that mean I can stick rocks together, immediately put them back in the tank, and it will still cure under water? Or should I be looking for quick curing epoxy? And how long can the rock be out of the water before the bacteria dies or the rock dries out?

 

[b86]

I highly doubt you're doing 'scaping "wrong" because if you are, then I've been doing it wrong for years. I just piled my rock in until I liked it, then put water over the top of it. Never used glue or anything to make structures because I like the "arranged pile" look.

This made me feel a lil better lol. I like the Pillar type of look I've been seeing so I want to try it. But I hear ya

 

[whiteshark]

The only incorrect aquascaping is a scape that is unstable and prone to collapse. As long as it's solid, it all comes down to how it looks to you. With a 29 gallon tank you won't be getting any big fish, so IMO you really don't have to worry about caves. The fish that will fit in your tank will find the smallest gaps between the rocks as areas of refuge.

Keep in mind coral placement options and coral growth for the future, keep the structure stable, and just build it to suit your eye. There really is no "wrong" aquascape.