So I had my rock positioned nicely on the bottom of the tank and of course once you decide to move that one piece it just slowly becomes more and more unstable. Now it's all a mess and I have sand in the tank full of water already. There are no fish and it is still cycling. I'm curious if anyone has any tips and tricks other than just move the sand out of the way place he rock and move it back. I don't like the idea of just wiggling the rock down to the bottom. I don't like glue and am just going to be stacking so there will be trial and error. I have read many post and since this is my first it's also a chance to engage in some conversation. Easy topic just tips and tricks to moving rock around and getting it stable without glue or rods. And the best way to get it on the bottom. Remove a lot of the sand? Move it back and forth? Or is wiggling the rock to the bottom just fine. Thank you everyone for your time!
Stacking rock question
- Thread starter Vbwjjeep
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ClownfishNut
New member
You can try digging the rock into the sand a bit. I just wiggle it in the sand until the base is surrounded by sand at the desired depth. Keep moving pieces around until you find it is secure. The best option is to glue it in place though.
I really don't have an issue with the glue but it's already in the tank. Fair warning I haven't researched gluing but I'd imagine the glue has to go on dry rock?
Cyanoacrylate/super glue gel and epoxy will cure in water (super glue cures very quickly underwater though). If you're gluing directly onto the tank panel, just be sure the glass surface is clear of sand.
I won't be gluing it to the glass. I did not know that it could cure under water. I figured it would just dilute or make it unable to stick. I take it this is not true?
The typical liquid / watery super glue won't work and will just cure, flake off and float to the surface. The gel form of the glue will maintain cohesion wherever it's applied. You may have to use a good amount of gel though if you want the rock to be securely glued together. The glue definitely won't mix with / dissolve into the water.
Many use it sometimes to glue coral frags that are already in place and in need of additional securing to the rockwork.
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Many use it sometimes to glue coral frags that are already in place and in need of additional securing to the rockwork.
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Here is my tank that I also stacked. No gluing, etc. Just stacked. Only advice I was given by my LFS was to make sure you have at least on tall section. He also said not make it all the same height. But I placed the sand in and carefully wiggled the rock into the sand. Took me about 2-3 hours or so to get it the way I wanted. Then added one piece much later. Good luck.
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billdogg
Well-known member
IMHO, you will be much better served, especially in a new tank, but just moving the sand out of the way, arranging the rocks how you like them, and then moving the sand back around them. I don't like to use any glue, certainly no more than what is needed to stabilize them. If you must, use something like JB Waterweld or other ("reef"/more expensive) epoxy rather than superglue. SG is great for frags, but not so much, IME, for larger rocks
My reasoning for this is due to the fact that if any of your base (bottom) rocks are on the sand rather than the bottom glass, and sand sifting creatures (fish/snails/starfish/etc) can easily get underneath and cause a rockslide.
My reasoning for this is due to the fact that if any of your base (bottom) rocks are on the sand rather than the bottom glass, and sand sifting creatures (fish/snails/starfish/etc) can easily get underneath and cause a rockslide.
This is my first saltwater tank that is all mine so I am having anxiety about a rock slide haha I've never experienced how much the fish dig the sand up. And 125 gallons is a lot of water to dump on the ground if they falll and hit the glass. And the top layer still has a little jiggle when I move them with my hand
My LFS said the rock may move a bit side to side(pivot) but if you can push directly down with considerable pressure it should be ok. One of mine pivots a bit but haven't had any issues
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I have done a few things to solve this problem. One I have drilled a hole partially in the bottom base rock not all the way through then do a matching hole on the rock that is going to sit on it. Between them place an acrylic rod or pvc rod to stabalize them. I used a white rod from home depot that had a reflector on the top used to mark driveways. I will go see if I have a picture of this and post it if I do. Warning drilling a hole is an art and takes practice not to split your rock into pieces. but here is some photos to show you what I have done in some of my tanks. I will add I did this because I am in love with pistol shrimp goby combos and the pistol shrimp will move all the sand out from under my rocks. Also I have taken some of my base rocks and cut, chiseled or sanded them in ways to make them sturdier, either flatter or so that 3 or four spots act like legs on a chair. Not sure I am explaining that part well.
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