Breaking up base rock

[Jekyl]

Just got my base rock in. All around around 12". What is the best way to make them smaller? Hammer and chisel I'm guessing but also what type of drill bits are best? Here is the rock I have

https://www.amazon.com/Natures-Ocean-12-Inch-Aquarium-40-Pound/dp/B00F8DVAO4?th=1&psc=1

 

[chefjpaul]

I just drop it on concrete. Get better/ natural shapes

 

[Mastiffsrule]

I just drop it on concrete. Get better/ natural shapes

+1

You can get masonry bits to use and drill a row of holes where you want it to fracture. Hammer and chisel and dropping it all work. Obviously wear googles no matter what. Rock and eye no play well together

 

[cracker]

All good choices, I prefer an old chisel & hammer . Allows you more control. Drilling with a masonry bit to control the break is a good idea also.

 

[Jekyl]

Kind of what I figured. I already purchased some reef epoxy from my lfs. I know there are plexi dowels you can get also. Can they be found at my local hardware or must be ordered?

 

[OutsideBrian]

I picked up a masons hammer to help break some up. It’s basically a chisel shaped hammer.

 

[Billdogg]

To hold my rocks up off the bottom I drilled the base pieces and then used fiberglass driveway markers cut to length. They are all of like $5 for 4' available at any big box hardware store. While you are there, pick up a few sticks of JB Waterweld. It is the very same stuff that the LFS sold you but much less expensive.

 

[Jekyl]

I'm running a ugf system so the rocks will be on top of the plates. I'm trying to figure the best way to create arches and what not with the rocks that will be stable

 

[link81]

Kind of what I figured. I already purchased some reef epoxy from my lfs. I know there are plexi dowels you can get also. Can they be found at my local hardware or must be ordered?

To hold my rocks up off the bottom I drilled the base pieces and then used fiberglass driveway markers cut to length. They are all of like $5 for 4' available at any big box hardware store. While you are there, pick up a few sticks of JB Waterweld. It is the very same stuff that the LFS sold you but much less expensive.

for dowels, i've used cheap plastic hangers fro the usual sources. break or cut to length.

i second the waterweld works just fine. used it underwater many times in tanks as small as 8 gal with no adverse effects.

 

[wesman42]

It depends what the rock is composed of. Dropping it on concrete will certainly work, but drilling it is a poor, poor idea. If you'd like to structurally compromise the remaining rock structure then by all means, drill it and watch it crumble apart in several months.