Rock-scaping - securing rock together

[Glimmerman911]

Been out of the hobby for a while, what way(s) are people securing their rock together these days?

Glue? Just stacking? Zip ties?

I plan on having some diggers in my tank, so I expect my DSB to move around a lot, which means unstable rock.

I used to only stack, but want a ways to secure the rock together bettter, at least some of the main structures/supports and arches.

 

[chubby hugs]

I built a pvc frame and then used zip ties and some of the adhesive putty they sell at the LFS to put it all together. I am not thrilled with my aquascaping, but the zip ties give me some flexibility to change it later.

 

[Fizz71]

I drilled acrylic rods through my live rock with a pvc/acrylic base. Recently I've heard of people using fiberglass rods as well. Some rocks I used putty along with the rods to keep them from turning at all.

 

[sfboarders]

fiberglass rods and zipties for me.

 

[travis32]

I was wondering how you zip tie rock to stuff? Don't people see the rods and stuff?

 

[Glimmerman911]

How do you drill your rock, what type and size of bit? How do you secure the acrylic or fiberglass rods afterwards? What diameter are the rods you use?

I'll have to check the LFS for this putty, or is it available at hardware stores?

 

[Fizz71]

I used 1/2" rods from TAP Plastics. I don't remember the size drill bit I used because I tried several until I found what I needed but I think it was 1/2" too...I needed a bit that works on concrete and didn't require a hammer drill..took several attempts. I got it from Lowes.

I used pvc (or cpvc) 90s to build a base out of acryilc rods. I did have to drill the pvc a little to get them to fit, then pvc cemented them in place.

I've seen people use weld-on to attach the rods to acrylic sheets too, but I didn't have the equipment so I went ghetto with 90 deg pvcs.

The putty people are talking about would be at an LFS. It's specifically made for the aquarium. I need to get more because I have exposed rods..it's hard to get them to fit perfectly.

 

[sfboarders]

How do you drill your rock, what type and size of bit? How do you secure the acrylic or fiberglass rods afterwards? What diameter are the rods you use?

I'll have to check the LFS for this putty, or is it available at hardware stores?

3/8" fiberglass rod is more stronger than 1/2" acrylic. I use a long 3/8" masonry bit. It's less than $10 at Lowes. Only a few rods I secure by drilling a small hole through them and putting a ziptie through them.

 

[Glimmerman911]

Ok so if I got it correctly, you buy 3/8" fiberglass rod, drill holes in the rocks you want to secure together, cut the rod down to length, and butt the rocks together with the rod between them. Then on a few rocks you used zip ties for additional holding power.

What about a solid base below the sand, what have people used to elevate the rocks a bit off the bottom of the tank?

 

[lotusstar]

can these acrylic or fiberglass rods be purchased at Lowes / Home depot? I see a lot seem to order online but can they be found at a store. I prefer to see and hold what I'm buying.

 

[lowlt]

Im not sure about lowes/hd but you could look for a plastic supply shop near you. They might carry it.

 

[firebirdcrzy]

Wouldn't aquamend (bought at Home depot) work just as well and be cheaper then buying epoxy from an LFS (most stuff to high $ to begin with)?

 

[sfboarders]

Ok so if I got it correctly, you buy 3/8" fiberglass rod, drill holes in the rocks you want to secure together, cut the rod down to length, and butt the rocks together with the rod between them. Then on a few rocks you used zip ties for additional holding power.

What about a solid base below the sand, what have people used to elevate the rocks a bit off the bottom of the tank?

I have my rocks touching the bottom. I've seen some people use egg crate or even use some acrylic with holes to stick the rod into to make a stand.

@lotusstar +1 on lowlt. Check a acrylic/plastic supply store.

 

[biecacka]

i used a combanation of drilling/pvc rods and just plain ol stackin' i drilled a few rocks and put them on a rod. some others i just stacked on top of each other, they are mosthly larger rocks tho. i do have a BB tank tho so no sand dwellers. but i hear some ppl put the rocks in tank first then put sand in, that way the dwellers dont get completly under the rocks
corey

 

[Glimmerman911]

Great info everyone, thank you.

 

[JeffBoyRD]

3/8" fiberglass rod is more stronger than 1/2" acrylic. I use a long 3/8" masonry bit. It's less than $10 at Lowes. Only a few rods I secure by drilling a small hole through them and putting a ziptie through them.

Any pics per chance?

Anyone else have pics of their structural supports? Thanks.

 

[sfboarders]

Any pics per chance?

Anyone else have pics of their structural supports? Thanks.

 

[Jacob Sellers]

I used acrylic rods and a product called Jurassic Gel made by Paleo Bond. It is a bit expensive ($30 bucks for 200 grams), but holds well and can be removed later if you want to rearrange.

 

[JeffBoyRD]

Thanks for the info. When you guys drill holes and connect rock with rods, do you connect more than 2 at a time? Or do you connect these two and then connect this one to those two and then this one to those 3. Just wondering if you drill a hole in each rock and slide each rock onto the same rod. Thanks.

 

[Fizz71]

I didn't actually "connect" any of mine at first, they just stack up like that game you played as a kid with the post and colored rings. Except now the biggest is SUPPOSED to go on top.

Once you get them settled and turned properly you can go back and add putty or something if you need too, but most of my rock could just be lifted off the rods if I wanted too. The only ones I secured with putty are the ones with too much rod showing or ones that rocked a little in the current because it wasn't sitting real tight with the neighbor above or below.