Good morning everyone !!

[vetteguy53081]

Its a quiet Tuesday at Reef2Reef. How is everyone doing and your tank-
You woke up, likely looked at your tank and said . . . . . . ?????

I while having coffee take a peek before I leave for work and said this morning, My Hanna Monitor is Green screen and water level good, ATO is actually adding water to the sump and the fish that never sleep such as cardinals and a couple of my tangs are swimming about the tank and a comfort to know all is well as I hope for each day

 

[UncommonSense]

You woke up, likely looked at your tank and said . . . . . . ?????

“This ugly box of rocks is getting redecorated today.”

 

[Fish Fan]

Good to hear! I haven't had much of a chance to check my tanks today, lot's going on here including new siding on the house starting today. Hopefully this evening I'll have more time for my tanks

My most recent build from a few days ago:

 

[vetteguy53081]

Good to hear! I haven't had much of a chance to check my tanks today, lot's going on here including new siding on the house starting today. Hopefully this evening I'll have more time for my tanks

Siding- Thats a way to transform the house. One less maintenance headache

 

[Miami Reef]

Good to hear! I haven't had much of a chance to check my tanks today, lot's going on here including new siding on the house starting today. Hopefully this evening I'll have more time for my tanks

My most recent build from a few days ago:

Holy heck! That’s a budding ROTM if I do say so myself.

 

[UncommonSense]

Siding- Thats a way to transform the house. One less maintenance headache

I have questions about this siding but don’t want to derail the thread!

 

[Fish Fan]

Holy heck! That’s a budding ROTM if I do say so myself.

I think I've got a long, long way to go

But thank you! I am happy this tank seems to be coming along well.

 

[Fish Fan]

I have questions about this siding but don’t want to derail the thread!

That's up to Vette, or you can PM me if you want. Sometimes people do get upset when members discuss non-reef related topics.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have questions about this siding but don’t want to derail the thread!

Community thread- not a problem. Great to see activity today

 

[UncommonSense]

Community thread- not a problem. Great to see activity today

On that note… would anyone be willing to offer advice on bonding live rock together?

I’ve seen many members here state mixed reviews on bond strength when bonding wet rocks together…

The super glue/putty sandwich seems to be the common winner…

— but… what about scrubbing/washing, then spot drying the bonding areas with compressed air?

Failing that, is there any reason (aside from cure time) to not just use aquarium silicone sealant to bond live rock together more permanently? (All livestock is coming out, tank is getting drained…)

 

[christinna77]

"Phew, the tilefish is still in, it didn't find a way to jump out last night." (everything is super secure, but this guy is an escape artist).

 

[backbayreef]

Woke up and the first 2 things I checked before heading to work:
1. Is the new UPS that got wired up late last night is charging?
2. Sulfur denitrator’s ORP is still higher than -250mV

Peace of mind…uhmmm

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

 

[vetteguy53081]

On that note… would anyone be willing to offer advice on bonding live rock together?

I’ve seen many members here state mixed reviews on bond strength when bonding wet rocks together…

The super glue/putty sandwich seems to be the common winner…

— but… what about scrubbing/washing, then spot drying the bonding areas with compressed air?

Failing that, is there any reason (aside from cure time) to not just use aquarium silicone sealant to bond live rock together more permanently? (All livestock is coming out, tank is getting drained…)

I swear by 2 products:

Holdfast putty
And

Aquaforest bonding cement

 

[Fish Fan]

I recently glued wet rocks together using regular (non gel) super glue from the dollar store and baking soda, which acts as something of a quick set for the glue. This worked surprisingly well for my relative small scape. For larger tanks you may need some epoxy or acrylic rods to help, but super glue and baking soda does a great job. Obviously, you need to rinse off the excess baking soda before adding the 'scape to your tank.

 

[UncommonSense]

I swear by 2 products:

Holdfast putty
And

Aquaforest bonding cement

I’m kicking myself for not ordering any putty…

I have multiple types of high performance aquarium silicone and super glue, 3/8” acrylic round rod stock, even fiberglass mat and cigarette filters, and a wet cut tile saw for shaping rock…

Putty’s the one tool not in my toolbox for this project…

my thinking was following in the practice of dentists; thoroughly rinsing their work surface, then compressed air drying it before applying their dental adhesive/cement/filling material for a permanent bond…

Thoughts? It seems like a good idea on paper… but reality often differs…

 

[Sophie"s mom]

On that note… would anyone be willing to offer advice on bonding live rock together?

I’ve seen many members here state mixed reviews on bond strength when bonding wet rocks together…

The super glue/putty sandwich seems to be the common winner…

— but… what about scrubbing/washing, then spot drying the bonding areas with compressed air?

Failing that, is there any reason (aside from cure time) to not just use aquarium silicone sealant to bond live rock together more permanently? (All livestock is coming out, tank is getting drained…)

When I did mine, I drilled holes, and used acrylic dowels. That way, they are stable but if you ever need to take them apart, you can.

 

[UncommonSense]

When I did mione, I drilled holes, and used acrylic dowels. That way, they are stable but if you ever need to take them apart, you can.

This is my thinking! A hybrid approach between heat bent 3/8” acrylic rod for the long, slender spirals… then a combination of acrylic dowels and adhesive bonding for a bottom perimeter anchor of rock…

It’s going to be a challenging design regardless, I’m just hoping I can get some insight on ways to avoid having to meticulously drill and dowel pin every single anchor rock too!

 

[Sophie"s mom]

I swear by 2 products:

Holdfast putty
And

Aquaforest bonding cement

Never heard of the Aquaforest bonding cement before, I will have to take a look at that. THank you for that.

 

[backbayreef]

I've used the Aquaforest Stone Fix before and it worked wonders! However, I've stopped using cement/mortar and just stack rocks nowadays. In a few months, these rocks will be filled with corals anyway. Also, it's so much easier to remove/re-arrange months/years later if you change your mind.

In fact, I’ve yanked two large structures that I’ve glued and re-aquascaped our 150gal last week by just stacking rocks. Before & after shots below.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I've used the Aquaforest Stone Fix before and it worked wonders! However, I've stopped using cement/mortar and just stack rocks nowadays. In a few months, these rocks will be filled with corals anyway. Also, it's so much easier to remove/re-arrange months/years later if you change your mind.

In fact, I’ve yanked two large structures that I’ve glued and re-aquascaped our 150gal last week by just stacking rocks. Before & after shots below.

Thats it - Stone fix