What's your experience with Live Rock Epoxy or Cement?

Did you use some type of an epoxy or cement on your current aquascape?

  • YES

    Votes: 288 54.0%
  • NO

    Votes: 185 34.7%
  • Will in the future

    Votes: 53 9.9%
  • Other (please explain)

    Votes: 7 1.3%

  • Total voters
    533

Proteus Meep

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 23, 2017
Messages
469
Reaction score
1,612
Location
United Kingdom
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
1. What's your go to epoxy or cement when it comes to keeping an aquascape in place and why do you prefer it?

IMG_20210309_225909.jpg


2. What other methods do you use, besides an "adhesive" to keep your live rock in place

Hands-Fingers-Crossed.jpg
 

Bryknicks

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 24, 2019
Messages
738
Reaction score
548
Location
Boca Raton
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I used hydraulic cement on my last build and that was a horrible idea. Mixed thoroughly, dry cured for a week and a half, soaked in RODI for another week with multiple water changes and then put in the tank. It lasted a year and a half an now I'm dealing with the cement disintegrating and the rock scape falling apart. To say I'm upset is an understatement after the amount of research and time I put into making the scape for it all to fall apart.
 

cweye2005

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 7, 2021
Messages
13
Reaction score
45
Location
Minnesota
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Trying out E-Marco for the first time...as I attempt to follow the NSA approach for a 40 gallon breeder build. Tip: You when using super glue and instaset to first build the structure - you can find a 8 oz ‘refill’ size of insta-set on Amazon.com and save some $$ vs buying more of those 2 oz spray bottles!
image.jpg
 

fish farmer

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 13, 2017
Messages
3,699
Reaction score
5,404
Location
Brandon, VT
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I used marco cement and aquastick putty when I did my initial install. The cement is solid, sometimes the putty doesn't stay put.

I also use balance on a few pieces, much of the left rock work was cemented, but the leg is balancing it. The right side was eggcrate attached to my return manifold and filled in with cement and small rocks. I even made an overflow cover but since removed that. The marco cement has held up for over ten years. It cured quickly and I used wet live rock in the build.

29scape 002.jpg
 

muls22

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 25, 2021
Messages
2
Reaction score
1
Location
Connecticut
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Setting up a 136 gal tank and put this together with just superglue so far, will be filling in the gaps with the Marco mortar mix later in the week
 

Attachments

  • F61110EB-5CA9-4A6F-B730-40C2495EC3B2.jpeg
    F61110EB-5CA9-4A6F-B730-40C2495EC3B2.jpeg
    251.7 KB · Views: 41
  • BAB87D96-BCD0-4D87-BA6F-C6F6E275A4C7.jpeg
    BAB87D96-BCD0-4D87-BA6F-C6F6E275A4C7.jpeg
    242.8 KB · Views: 51
  • AC980F8D-94BF-4B01-88CF-7B3D4D2A9809.jpeg
    AC980F8D-94BF-4B01-88CF-7B3D4D2A9809.jpeg
    293.5 KB · Views: 47
  • A3315DE6-143B-495D-AD25-6999CCFFED0A.jpeg
    A3315DE6-143B-495D-AD25-6999CCFFED0A.jpeg
    250 KB · Views: 41

Shusblues

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
Jun 17, 2020
Messages
31
Reaction score
67
Location
Slidell
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I used this method on a 90 gallon I had once. I wanted to cover the unsightly overflow. I used super glue to adhere rubble to it. Then found out Pond and stone great stuff has amazing adhesion holding the pieces in place. Then I sprinkled sand on the great stuff while it was still sticky. Afterwards I covered it all with tan Pond Shield. I will say it came out amazing. I also used this method for bonding the rock together. The pond and stone great stuff is great for bonding even heavy pieces. Most of all all of these products are non toxic and had no issues with my reefs. This method is also good for making a 3D background.
5BED67D7-5F66-4436-B001-E8ECBA7E5A45.jpeg

61CDDA22-AA10-4C68-87D5-8D6291F35E67.jpeg

AE9412A6-983A-4518-B54B-B08EF4E4418E.jpeg
 

vetteguy53081

Well known Member and monster tank lover
View Badges
Joined
Aug 11, 2013
Messages
90,860
Reaction score
200,134
Location
Wisconsin -
Rating - 100%
13   0   0
1. What's your go to epoxy or cement when it comes to keeping an aquascape in place and why do you prefer it?

Instant ocean holdfast epoxy

2. What other methods do you use, besides an "adhesive" to keep your live rock in place?


careful interlocking and support by other rock.


1615341485071.png
1615341499997.png
1615341520547.png
 

DaddyFish

“5 percenter”
View Badges
Joined
May 6, 2020
Messages
1,238
Reaction score
1,717
Location
Dallas NC
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
+1 on the Instant Ocean epoxy. Great stuff!
Currently using Marco cement along with epoxy and thick CA/Kicker.

Thick CA/Kicker works great for gluing fiberglass rods on one end for initial positioning and holding power during cure.
IO Epoxy works great where the joint needs extra strength, such as a narrow joint at the top of an arch or a small contact area for a bigger piece.
Marco cement works great for filling larger spaces, and it's okay for adhesion between large areas.

I had great success (so far) CA gluing a dowel into one piece and fitting the next. Then mixing Marco and piling it around the dowel, adding a generous portion of CA to the exposed dowel end and squishing the whole thing in place. The CA sets quickly and holds the two pieces in place while I work the Marco into shape. A final dusting of coral dust and pieces impregnates the Marco for a better color match and improved texture matching.
IMG_20210306_230101845.jpg
 

SixtyFeetUnder

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 5, 2020
Messages
102
Reaction score
48
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Marco e400 and epoxy to glue Marco rock rubble over the ugly mortar columns I had to make.
 

Attachments

  • 70140F38-9CA6-4E97-BE5E-BF0F79615784.jpeg
    70140F38-9CA6-4E97-BE5E-BF0F79615784.jpeg
    133.9 KB · Views: 38
  • 339125EC-1708-4060-8D6D-79A7FC417F8E.jpeg
    339125EC-1708-4060-8D6D-79A7FC417F8E.jpeg
    143.8 KB · Views: 36
  • 2C60E4E0-ADF4-4B94-BAE0-6A31C9FBB886.jpeg
    2C60E4E0-ADF4-4B94-BAE0-6A31C9FBB886.jpeg
    124.3 KB · Views: 38
  • B5B34DF7-B1D5-4576-977B-A9E3E28D6BFA.jpeg
    B5B34DF7-B1D5-4576-977B-A9E3E28D6BFA.jpeg
    132.3 KB · Views: 46

mehaffydr

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 20, 2013
Messages
1,866
Reaction score
5,551
Location
Harvest Alabama
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
My first tank I used nothing just strategic pile but this time around I used EMarco and loved it. After setting up it is extremely strong.
 

Tonyreeffish

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 3, 2019
Messages
101
Reaction score
73
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Has anyone used those plastic beads that you're supposed to boil in water before use? I know a couple companies make it. I tried a little because i was curious but couldn't get the stuff to stick if my life depended on it. It seemed to cool off too quick and was a PITA.
 

Esergi

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Oct 7, 2020
Messages
3
Reaction score
2
Location
NY
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I used super glue ultra thin and sand. Creates a quick bond but beware of the fumes.
 

Attachments

  • 14129FAA-4987-472B-AC40-02A312CE1600.jpeg
    14129FAA-4987-472B-AC40-02A312CE1600.jpeg
    150.8 KB · Views: 50
  • F989F07C-C3B8-4D96-9058-336242B0E275.jpeg
    F989F07C-C3B8-4D96-9058-336242B0E275.jpeg
    201.2 KB · Views: 48
  • 9F459B3F-D2A4-4C44-83D1-2C06BE0CE066.jpeg
    9F459B3F-D2A4-4C44-83D1-2C06BE0CE066.jpeg
    187.7 KB · Views: 49

Bmasculine

Serial SPS murderer
View Badges
Joined
Feb 27, 2018
Messages
613
Reaction score
391
Location
Houston
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Has anyone used those plastic beads that you're supposed to boil in water before use? I know a couple companies make it. I tried a little because i was curious but couldn't get the stuff to stick if my life depended on it. It seemed to cool off too quick and was a PITA.
Yes I’ve used it, I believe the one made by Aquamaxx, it will work but you have to use a lot more of it than you would think necessary. I agree it is a PITA. I used acrylic rod and E Marco on my last scape, here’s a pic when it was bare rock
 

Attachments

  • 5B047C6F-3D87-4B2E-B101-01F184FB8031.jpeg
    5B047C6F-3D87-4B2E-B101-01F184FB8031.jpeg
    208.4 KB · Views: 39
  • 657A4BED-464F-45B0-BB67-8476941A954F.jpeg
    657A4BED-464F-45B0-BB67-8476941A954F.jpeg
    158.8 KB · Views: 40
  • E9E27BC8-D4DB-448B-B556-3A1CCA18C8E6.jpeg
    E9E27BC8-D4DB-448B-B556-3A1CCA18C8E6.jpeg
    135.7 KB · Views: 38

seahorsebill

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
Feb 12, 2021
Messages
35
Reaction score
55
Location
kokomo
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
We sure love to imagine beautiful reef tank aquascapes in our home reef tanks but seeing them and accomplishing the vision are two different things. Besides live rock one of the key ingredients for a spectacular aquascape is the epoxy or cement that holds it all together! Today let's talk about it!

1. What's your go to epoxy or cement when it comes to keeping an aquascape in place and why do you prefer it?

2. What other methods do you use, besides an "adhesive" to keep your live rock in place?


BONUS:
Show us a photo of your aquascape!

unnamed (62).jpg

image via @dragonfish
I use seachem. Works great. Dries white
 

rusty hannon

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Oct 13, 2019
Messages
658
Reaction score
555
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
all i can say is WOW and AMAZING.ive only used epoxy once on my wife tank and in my opinion the green epoxy sucked ,it all let loose, but the gray worked wonders. held like armor but the color doesn't match. we have added a ton of bottled coraline algaebut its going to b a long time before that starts to work. all my tanks are free standing so if I want a change I can but think ill try some other things for future. you guys really took it
 

paul barker

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 31, 2018
Messages
215
Reaction score
136
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I am thinking about using Hadro plug and Concrete it set fast and I have to build it in the tank with water the rock is coming out of my 75 gallon fish only tank and I don't want it to dry out
 
Back
Top