Capillary Bond Aquascaping

[tbrown]

Looks like it's for Windows. I prefer Windows but my pastor and worship leader are both super Mac fanboys...

 

[KrisReef]

Looks like it's for Windows. I prefer Windows but my pastor and worship leader are both super Mac fanboys...

Really!
I thought Jesus opened up the Windows of Heaven?

Ok, sorry but a quick true story about my dad who did the sound board at church 50 years ago.

The punchline came from one of the ministers who noted accurately that my dad was fairly hard of hearing yet he was the only sound board operator who didn’t have any feedback issues like the other guys?

That was a seminal moment in my youth because it was strangely true.

 

[UncommonSense]

Gloves (you'll thank me)

I shouldn’t have skimmed the article so quickly!

Also, there’s definitely a chemical burn risk here when your sticky fingers get attached to a filter covered in glue, right as the exothermic reaction goes off! — oopsie!

 

[nim6us]

@SoWhatNow great write up, thanks for sharing! I've heard some debate on making sure you get the "right" thin glue. I know Than from Tidal Gardens said he used the Glue Masters stuff and it was ideal, but he tried two other thin glues with less success.

Do you remember the specific brand or any other details that I can source the same glue?

 

[twentyleagues]

The cigarette filter trick has been used in freshwater aquascaping for years. I have a dragon stone wall I created in 2015 using this method. I also used the accumulated dust to hide the seams. It has been used on and off since then and is very strong and heavy. I have dropped this thing a few times (the one injury is all healed up now so nothing to show you I dropped it) only damaging the rock itself, welds held fine.

Building my reef aquascape I did not use the filters, I didnt know how they would or would not affect water quality in saltwater. I used marco rocks and marco dust along with gluemasters super thin glue. Again these bonds are very strong, and I have broken the rock before the weld to see how strong it is. I figured this would be ok to use but was unsure thanks for assuring me its safe to use in saltwater.

 

[SoWhatNow]

@SoWhatNow great write up, thanks for sharing! I've heard some debate on making sure you get the "right" thin glue. I know Than from Tidal Gardens said he used the Glue Masters stuff and it was ideal, but he tried two other thin glues with less success.

Do you remember the specific brand or any other details that I can source the same glue?

Luckily i'm in the UK too so i can link the exact one(s)

This one is perfect for wicking, it's like water, use it on the 'piles'

Amazon product

I use this one as the crack filler, its a tiny bit thicker but it allows me to pack the seams and bulk out joints.

Amazon product

The best filters are the ones off actual cigs, theyre longer and thicker, if you have a friend who partakes in the Jamaican Woodbines....... they have proven to be a great source.

Fingers... it took me a week to get it off, it's not burns its rock dust bonded to your fingers, the puffs of smoke are disconcerting but not dangerous or harmful at all.

Another tip, where rocks are touching, pull a filter apart and place it flat in between the 2 rock surfaces (or multiples of) drip some glue in and itll wick between all 3 making a good initial bond.

Have fun and let us know how you get on.

 

[nim6us]

Amazing thank you so much!

Yes I've just been debating ordering hundreds of dollars of Glue Masters glue and having it shipped to the UK, this is a much better alternative.

I've always been intrigued to build a scape out of rubble rock so finally going to pull the trigger.

 

[UncommonSense]

the puffs of smoke are disconcerting but not dangerous or harmful at all.

This is a 20 day old second degree burn.

 

[allenk4]

You will when you test it, i nearly did a proper mischief during those tests, randys are lame in comparison. If someone has a spare couple of chunks of marco rock knocking around FAITHFULLY do this method, fill the joining holes and THROW IT at a wall, the joint will survive, surrounded by the rock that broke.

Competitive Freshwater Aquascapers have been using paper towels in the same manner for a decade. Seems much easier when I have seen it used during demos.