Joining huge rocks together

[mUAr_cHEe]

Besides Epoxy, what else can I use?

I am currently doing a major rescaping of my tank. I will need to join certain LRs together. Problem is that I will be joining some, one top of the other. Meaning, when I put down my joined pieces, I will be holding onto the top one, making the glue or joining medium to totally be able to withstand the weight of the bottom piece. It can come up to weights of 5 to 6 kgs.

Can anyone advice?

I tried Epoxy, either my technique no good or epoxy is just not good enough.

[loster]

hey MC, why not you use cable tie to secure the rocks together and than use epoxy to glue them. after sometime, when the epoxy mature, than you cut and take out the cable tie

[ervine]

huge rocks with epoxy? my tiny rocks can't even hold together with epoxy leh...

If you ask me mechanically fastening them is still the best way.. I've heard of people who drill holes thru the rocks in order to run a cable tie thru it... I think that's the sure-fire way to do it...

[Maxstar81]

I buy the tube of epoxy for $20+ @

ah beng there. Cant even stick mushrooms (with small rock) man....

[PerculaClownfish]

if i am not mistaken, aquapharm has one product on that also..

[PerculaClownfish]

Just check it.. {The name is rock bonder.Two part epoxy putty(red coralline algae..}

[Panzz]

maybe you would like to make a structure for your liverocks first( like a platform) then start stacking them.

[Ah-lim]

Just check it.. {The name is rock bonder.Two part epoxy putty(red coralline algae..}

Quite gd leh, used to join tiny pieces and making arch.

[dkk08]

U guys can try using a foam spray... it will harden and its some sorta styrofoam... it can bond rocks and wood as well... gonna try it when my tank is ready

[May&Bruce]

cement? just kidding....

One idea that i have not tried yet is to use long black cable ties (black will be more camoflaged than the white ones). Over time, coralline and other algae will grow over them.

I am always a little worried about putting some chemical micture like epoxy glue in the tank, but i must admit I have used it lots of times with no ill-effects, but getting it to bond can be really difficult sometimes.

[May&Bruce]

the red epoxy putty seems a bit better than the other common (white one) and the colour is more natural

[sunny03]

U guys can try using a foam spray... it will harden and its some sorta styrofoam... it can bond rocks and wood as well... gonna try it when my tank is ready

bro better not unless you going to coat it with a layer of marine paint

[dkk08]

bro better not unless you going to coat it with a layer of marine paint

have actually seen alot of pple in Reef Central done it... and coraline algae do grow on the foam... but of coz if u wanna be safe a coat of marine paint wld be good...

Another thing is of coz cement... I've used sprayfoam as a background for my freshwater tank as well as my vivariums so I can swear it works!

[mUAr_cHEe]

I was seriously considering cement. Marine Cement. But got no time.

[sunny03]

have actually seen alot of pple in Reef Central done it... and coraline algae do grow on the foam... but of coz if u wanna be safe a coat of marine paint wld be good...

Another thing is of coz cement... I've used sprayfoam as a background for my freshwater tank as well as my vivariums so I can swear it works!

Hi bro know that ppl in RC uses that but have you wonder what why they had added the marine paint later ?? Or they have switch to epoxy resin to create the rockscape ..

It because the form could not withstand the UV ray from the MH and it started to melt ?

Why i know because i am one of them using the form to stick LR together. But after 1yr the top part which is nearer to the surface of the water, the form and the rock started to fall apart. the form become a mashmellow soft soft and i have no choice but to tear down my rockscape.

Given a chance will not use that again but will go for the epoxy resin With marine paint.

[loster]

how about using the form to stick LR together where you will not expose the form under your MH? e.g. stick it on the rock base?

by the way, where can i get the form spray? does it harden immedrately after you spray it? for it will take few sec to harden?

[sunny03]

you can get the form at a hardware shop at ubi behind the cisco. dont know the name.

it will harden in a few min but it would be better to leave it over night.

"As for using the form to stick LR together where you will not expose the form under your MH"

tried on some of my rock they still stick when i remove them. However not sure about it if they are being left in the tank for a long period. As i dont want to see my tank crack in the middle of the day/night.

[madmac]

Besides Epoxy, what else can I use?

I am currently doing a major rescaping of my tank. I will need to join certain LRs together. Problem is that I will be joining some, one top of the other. Meaning, when I put down my joined pieces, I will be holding onto the top one, making the glue or joining medium to totally be able to withstand the weight of the bottom piece. It can come up to weights of 5 to 6 kgs.

Can anyone advice?

I tried Epoxy, either my technique no good or epoxy is just not good enough.

MC,

Take no risk when it comes to heavy rocks toppling/falling...pad your tank floor. Is it BB or sand.?

Also, since you're re-scaping can you run your tank dry, its alot easier to work with it dry.

You could use some malleable steel wires to wrap around them until the cement/epoxy has hardened, then have them cut out, and removed from within the dry tank.

jus some ideas. HTH

[dkk08]

Hmmm noted bro... I Guess that wun happen to me coz I only have PLL and T5... no need for MH so temp is ok wun melt the forms like glaziers...

[dkk08]

how about using the form to stick LR together where you will not expose the form under your MH? e.g. stick it on the rock base?

by the way, where can i get the form spray? does it harden immedrately after you spray it? for it will take few sec to harden?

The form spray can be bought at most hardware shops for $12-$14 a can... best is to leave it to cure for 2-3 days before water test...

[sunny03]

and dont be surprise if your rocks floting hahah

[mUAr_cHEe]

madmac,

sanded bottom. Of course, better to run it dry. But if I run it dry, i got to finish rock scape within the day. Or else the sand will stink. Really would not want that to happen.

I want to take my time, and do it slowly. I always did not do very well in anything that i rushed.