Favorite way to create rock structures

btkrausen · Apr 12, 2011

Been debating on whether I should use acrylic rod or the cement stuff to create my rock structures for my new tank. I want a "bonsai" inspired look, but need plenty of overhangs, caves, sleeping areas, etc.

What way has worked best for you?

barbianj · Apr 13, 2011

I used the black pond foam to glue some rocks together to make a long overhang. It's extremely strong once it cures. In the FOWLR tank probably a year and a half or so.

fsu1dolfan · Apr 13, 2011

PVC is another way to help create a cool aquascape...here is a nice DIY with some pics that i have as favorite. He also mentioned using pond foam too. PVC Aquascaping Structure - Austin Reef Club

swannyson7 · Apr 13, 2011

Drilling holes in teh rock and using acrylic rods for strength along with some aquascaping epoxy worked well for me in the past

btkrausen · Apr 13, 2011

Anybody use the cemet from MarcoRocks, or something similar?

swannyson7 · Apr 13, 2011

One of the guys in my local reef club used the Marco cement and it worked well. Took a while to grow coraline on it compared to the baserock, but was nice and strong

btkrausen · Apr 13, 2011

Cool, thanks swannyson7. I'm still debting on how I want to do it. I have some acrylic bar that I could use, but not to make large overhangs, unless I used two pieces with zip ties.

I'm still browsing forums to get some ideas on what I really like and want to do with this tank.

swannyson7 · Apr 13, 2011

I was able to support quite a bit of weight with 1/2" acrylic rod along with aquamend. I think you might be surprised how well it holds up considering how much lighter everything is underwater

nixer · Apr 13, 2011

you might want to use those fiberglass driveway markers like from menards, lowes, home depot.
they are only like 1-2$ and work great

Paul_N · Apr 13, 2011

nixer said:
you might want to use those fiberglass driveway markers like from menards, lowes, home depot.
they are only like 1-2$ and work great

+1
I got several but haven't started my rock work yet. I am going to make an arch or two with them as well as a pillar. I am also cutting some acrylic sheets to sit on the bottom and attach these scrap acrylic rods I have. I will cut them in approximately 2-3" pieces to keep the rock off the bottom of the tank.

swannyson7 · Apr 13, 2011

Anyone have a link for these driveway markers? Are they the things so that you can see the shape of the driveway for plowing snow or the markers that hold reflectors?

jestersix · Apr 13, 2011

Here is a picture of a piece I just finished using Emaco 400. (the stuff from Marcorocks).

swannyson7 · Apr 13, 2011

Looks great Jestersix! Is this going in your plasma-lit tank?

nixer · Apr 13, 2011

swannyson7 said:
Anyone have a link for these driveway markers? Are they the things so that you can see the shape of the driveway for plowing snow

yes those things. they are usually orange or yellow with some reflective tape on the one end and a point on the other.

MarvinsReef · Apr 13, 2011

my bro just used 2 part epoxy for his 2 island rock work. we found specific pieces and pictured how they would look in the tank before taking home the rocks. he only has a 60g though so the pieces are smaller. I dunno how that would hold up with bigger pieces. I'm really excited for his tank. there's lotsa crevices for the wrasses to sleep in and awesome over hangs for corals to grow in. good luck man. should be fun creating your own rock work.

btkrausen · Apr 13, 2011

swannyson7 said:
I was able to support quite a bit of weight with 1/2" acrylic rod along with aquamend. I think you might be surprised how well it holds up considering how much lighter everything is underwater

Thats true, I didn't think of that. I'll probably be building the structures out of water, and then placing them in the tank as a whole, or rebuilding in their permanent place.

btkrausen · Apr 13, 2011

MarvinsReef said:
my bro just used 2 part epoxy for his 2 island rock work. we found specific pieces and pictured how they would look in the tank before taking home the rocks. he only has a 60g though so the pieces are smaller. I dunno how that would hold up with bigger pieces. I'm really excited for his tank. there's lotsa crevices for the wrasses to sleep in and awesome over hangs for corals to grow in. good luck man. should be fun creating your own rock work.

Thanks Marvin. I might just order the cement so I'll have it one hand if I wanna use it, but I'll try that acrylic that I have on hand first I think. Maybe solidify everything with 2 part or the cement.

swannyson7 · Apr 13, 2011

btkrausen said:
Thats true, I didn't think of that. I'll probably be building the structures out of water, and then placing them in the tank as a whole, or rebuilding in their permanent place.

I drilled the pilot holes for the acrylic rod and made sure everything lined up the way I wanted it out of water and then I assembled it in the tank with the Aquamend epoxy to ensure that everything stayed put.

btkrausen · Apr 13, 2011

swannyson7 said:
I drilled the pilot holes for the acrylic rod and made sure everything lined up the way I wanted it out of water and then I assembled it in the tank with the Aquamend epoxy to ensure that everything stayed put.

Thanks, I think thats the route I'm gonna take with using rods. The biggest reason I don't wanna use cement is so the structures can be rearranged and stuff if I don't like them.