Tidal Gardens Aquascape

[DeniseAndy]

I glued live wet rock from my tank. Put back into tank quickly and no issues. Just let the glue cure a bit. 5-10 minutes.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

I dried it lightly with a towel before gluing . The very porous rock (pukani) that I used breaks long before the sand and glue come apart. I broke the rock several times moving it, but never once a joint.

You've inspired me.

 

[F i s h y]

You've inspired me.

Message me with any questions.

 

[Glue Masters]

Here is mine about 2 months after completion. I used wet cured rock I've been soaking for about 8 months. Loved doing this. Can't wait to see my coral all grown out...

This is amazing work! Right on.

 

[JonCherba]

so what exactly is the best sand to use for this thin CA joint for scaping? I have the CA that was recommended by TidalGardens in their video, I purchased the 8oz bottle from GlueMasters, just need to pick up the sand.

 

[Isolatedreefer]

Breakdown Of The Glue We Used


We found that using Glue Masters THIN was the absolute best glue for what we needed.

Hi Than,
In your video you mentioned that you would use BSI thin glue in a pinch. Do you think you could use it to build the whole scape, and it would be strong enough? I live in Canada, and can find this, but not the GlueMasters.
Thanks!

 

[bluecheese]

Used this method today to put together my hardscape. A couple of observations:

Layer the sand and glue.

Wear gloves. The glue will bond to skin almost instantly.

This stuff gets hot. Seriously. It burned my hand through a pair of leather work gloves.

Once I got the hang of it, glueing together the rocks went quick. The bond is very strong.

 

[DeniseAndy]

I burned my fingers too. Through the gloves. All those little things you learn. You got a few great points. Heavy gloves, layering the sand and glue, wear a mask, it smells horrible, and enjoy cuz it works great.

 

[Susan Edwards]

I'm hoping this method works with Real Reef and Caribsea. Anyone try it?

 

[Totlxtc]

This stuff sure is strong!

 

[camineet]

What kind of sand is exactly is the "really fine substrate from CaribSea"?

 

[happyhourhero]

You can get a mortar and pestle and make rock powder that works just fine.

 

[camineet]

You can get a mortar and pestle and make rock powder that works just fine.

I'm just thinking that I very much don't wanna do that. I'm all for suffering for my hobby, but breaking up rocks like an inmate?

 

[Sean Clark]

 

[happyhourhero]

I'm just thinking that I very much don't wanna do that. I'm all for suffering for my hobby, but breaking up rocks like an inmate?

Yeah I’ve barely recovered.

 

[Tidal Gardens Verified Sponsor]

What kind of sand is exactly is the "really fine substrate from CaribSea"?

Any super fine “sugar” sand will work. But it needs to be bone dry.

 

[bluecheese]

What kind of sand is exactly is the "really fine substrate from CaribSea"?

When I did mine, I used the finest granular sand I could find. Wear gloves, and they aren’t lying when they said this stuff gets hot.

 

[camineet]

The guys at gluemasters have been great. Got my order today. They're working hard despite challenges in the world these days.

In other news, as I suspected, breaking up rocks to get additional powder was ridiculous. In the parking lot of my condo pounding rocks with an engineer hammer while they spattered around despite me making a cardboard box for them.

I've just now contacted marco rocks to see if they'll sell me powder. To anyone who is considering this scaping method, this is just an FYI. You need a proper place to do the powder making. And it's one of those things that takes a hobby and an afternoon and just trashes it.

You either risk damaging a surface in your home, or one outside where you have no business doing this kind of thing. I did it in my condo parking spot, so at least I'm only pounding on my spot.

Really hoping marco rocks can sell this stuff. I suspect the only way to get that reaction with the incredible bond is with the powder, and some other medium like sugar sized sand just won't produce the same results.

 

[happyhourhero]

The guys at gluemasters have been great. Got my order today. They're working hard despite challenges in the world these days.

In other news, as I suspected, breaking up rocks to get additional powder was ridiculous. In the parking lot of my condo pounding rocks with an engineer hammer while they spattered around despite me making a cardboard box for them.

I've just now contacted marco rocks to see if they'll sell me powder. To anyone who is considering this scaping method, this is just an FYI. You need a proper place to do the powder making. And it's one of those things that takes a hobby and an afternoon and just trashes it.

You either risk damaging a surface in your home, or one outside where you have no business doing this kind of thing. I did it in my condo parking spot, so at least I'm only pounding on my spot.

Really hoping marco rocks can sell this stuff. I suspect the only way to get that reaction with the incredible bond is with the powder, and some other medium like sugar sized sand just won't produce the same results.

Just use a mortar and pestle. I got one from tj max for $10. Works like a charm and quickly. I’ll video how easy and fast it is if anyone wants.

 

[Isolatedreefer]

Just use a mortar and pestle. I got one from tj max for $10. Works like a charm and quickly. I’ll video how easy and fast it is if anyone wants.

Yes, please video it!! That would be awesome