Silicone rock wall

[Miller Aquatic]

I am looking to create a side rock wall and was wondering if I could put a big glob of silicone and push the dry rock pieces in. I’m thinking a whole sheet of silicone, push the rock in and while still (wet) sprinkle sand over. It wouldn’t be fighting gravity while drying because I’ll have it on its side. This is an empty 135g btw. I was wondering if it would work or not because of the pourus rocks. The rocks aren’t very heavy. I was thinking like the egg crate foam wall builds but I already have aquarium silicone.

 

[Subsea]

I am looking to create a side rock wall and was wondering if I could put a big glob of silicone and push the dry rock pieces in. I’m thinking a whole sheet of silicone, push the rock in and while still (wet) sprinkle sand over. It wouldn’t be fighting gravity while drying because I’ll have it on its side. This is an empty 135g btw. I was wondering if it would work or not because of the pourus rocks. The rocks aren’t very heavy. I was thinking like the egg crate foam wall builds but I already have aquarium silicone.

Interesting. I don’t think silicone adhesive would be strong enough. Consider 2 part expoxy.

 

[BristleWormHater]

I've done something similar making terrarium backdrops. Unless the rocks are touching the ground, then they are typically too heavy to adhere to the back wall, so you have to make a mold using the rocks and then fill the mold with a light layer of concrete. I'll find a video for you.

 

[twentyleagues]

I am looking to create a side rock wall and was wondering if I could put a big glob of silicone and push the dry rock pieces in. I’m thinking a whole sheet of silicone, push the rock in and while still (wet) sprinkle sand over. It wouldn’t be fighting gravity while drying because I’ll have it on its side. This is an empty 135g btw. I was wondering if it would work or not because of the pourus rocks. The rocks aren’t very heavy. I was thinking like the egg crate foam wall builds but I already have aquarium silicone.

They wont hold long term. Look into agracrete. I made agracrete back grounds years ago its not terribly hard but it takes time to properly cure the concrete. Best one I did was good sized pieces of dry rock zip tied to egg crate then I put the egg crate in a mold of sorts and dumped agracrete in to cover the egg crate but keep most of the rock uncovered.

 

[Miller Aquatic]

So you guys don’t think silicone is strong enough even if the rocks are less than a pound?

 

[twentyleagues]

So you guys don’t think silicone is strong enough even if the rocks are less than a pound?

Its not so much the strength or weight. I have tried it and it lasts for a bit just not forever. By a bit I mean maybe 6 months to a year. Kind of like using silicone with plastic it works for a while then fails.

 

[Miller Aquatic]

Its not so much the strength or weight. I have tried it and it lasts for a bit just not forever. By a bit I mean maybe 6 months to a year. Kind of like using silicone with plastic it works for a while then fails.

What if I attached the rock to egg crate and then attached the egge crate in silicone to the glass?

 

[twentyleagues]

What if I attached the rock to egg crate and then attached the egge crate in silicone to the glass?

If you zip tie the rock the the egg crate it may work. If you do this I would use magnets to hold the egg crate to the glass. Its basically the same as above the silicone wont stick forever to the plastic.

 

[TheFunnyFarm]

Check out the ‘Coral Wall’ product by ReefEco. They developed a system that provides what you’re looking for.

 

[twentyleagues]

Check out the ‘Coral Wall’ product by ReefEco. They developed a system that provides what you’re looking for.

This is a good idea. I actually won a gift certificate from them here. I have not used it yet, in the process of setting up the tank now. I actually have had it for about a year and a half and have been debating on not using it. Small very light pieces of rock work on it but nothing that would be more than like 5 lbs total per section. Its got removable acrylic frag "racks" that attach to stand offs that are attached to the glass with silicone the attachment points are glass encased in acrylic on the front part.

 

[RockRash]

I believe Jake Adams did this some years ago. I cant remember how he did it but look up some old reef builders videos on YouTube.

Eta: like 3 to 5 years ago. Maybe more. I can't believe its almost 2025 time flies.

 

[Miller Aquatic]

I believe Jake Adams did this some years ago. I cant remember how he did it but look up some old reef builders videos on YouTube.

Eta: like 3 to 5 years ago. Maybe more. I can't believe its almost 2025 time flies.

I beleive I found it is it the Australian reef tank Aquascape

 

[Joe31415]

I think you could use the BRS Trick (I'm sure it's more common, but that's where I learned it) of drilling holes through the rocks and running plastic rods through them to keep them stacked. Get your rocks laid out flat (with the floor simulating the wall), drill the holes, insert the rods to keep it together, add your favorite adhesive to hold it together, then you'll have a solid(ish) wall that you can essentially lean against the tank wall. Now it's just a matter of keeping the whole thing in place instead of all the individual rocks.

 

[BristleWormHater]

Here's a good video

 

[Miller Aquatic]

Its not so much the strength or weight. I have tried it and it lasts for a bit just not forever. By a bit I mean maybe 6 months to a year. Kind of like using silicone with plastic it works for a while then fails.

I’ve heard good things about jb water weld would you think that would be strong enough?

 

[PapaFishRocks]

My whole back wall is spray foam and Krylon Fusion. Siliconed it in place.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

My whole back wall is spray foam and Krylon Fusion. Siliconed it in place.

^^THIS. I've used "Great Stuff- pond and stone" foam.

 

[Miller Aquatic]

My whole back wall is spray foam and Krylon Fusion. Siliconed it in place.

So is the silicone the thing holding the rocks or the spray foam because a lot of people only use the spray foam with success?

 

[PapaFishRocks]

So is the silicone the thing holding the rocks or the spray foam because a lot of people only use the spray foam with success?

The whole thing is spray foam. The silicone is just to hold it to the back wall.

I have glued/epoxied some rubble to it while in the tank.

 

[BristleWormHater]

My whole back wall is spray foam and Krylon Fusion. Siliconed it in place.

Very nice!