Rock decoration

[chrisgaucher]

Im getting rocks from my back yard and am boiling them tto clean them for a designf for a cichlid tank. How do I glue them together? And what type of adhesive do I use?

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Boiling rocks can sometimes not be so safe I prefer just to take boiling water and pour over the rock. Most people use an aquarium safe silicon to stock them together.

 

[christine2012]

I would advise against boiling them, that could be a little dangerous, instead I would soak them in a 1:10 bleach solution overnight. Scrub them tomorrow and give them a GOOD rinse. Air dry for 24+ hours to break up any chlorine residue. Don't forget to do the vinegar test!

I use GE Silicon I for my rocks and it works really well.

 

[chrisgaucher]

So I boiled them in an outside turkey boiler. It worked very well. Then I dumped the water out ans the steam dryed them immediately which was sweet! So silicone works well? That was what I thought. Th ank you guys I should be good now.

 

[christine2012]

So I boiled them in an outside turkey boiler. It worked very well. Then I dumped the water out ans the steam dryed them immediately which was sweet! So silicone works well? That was what I thought. Th ank you guys I should be good now.

Glad to hear you have no resulting injury! Good move doing them outside. Good luck, post pics when finished! The silicone needs a few (3?) Days to cure before being aquarium safe btw

 

[chrisgaucher]

Haha I will! And I have ge silcone 2. Its for kitchen and bath. I think that will work.

 

[Convict2161]

Yea boiling rocks is like playing Russian roulette. There are pores in the rocks that hold gasses am when super heated they can exploded under the pressure of not being able to release fast enough. It has happened. I always advise against it, not worth the risk IMO.

Glad it all worked out though...

 

[chrisgaucher]

Anyone like this design with the rocks? Pretend the wood is the area of the tank.

 

[Andrew McFadden]

Looks good to me I'd make a bunch of them at all different width and hieghts

 

[chrisgaucher]

Okay sounds good

 

[christine2012]

Haha I will! And I have ge silcone 2. Its for kitchen and bath. I think that will work.

Just make sure it's not the kind that's mildew resistant and you should be good to go!

 

[chrisgaucher]

I have the mildew resistant kind. Why cant I use that?

 

[Andrew McFadden]

I have the mildew resistant kind. Why cant I use that?

The chemicals are not safe in the mildew resistant. It has to be 100% silicon with no additives

 

[Cichlid-dude]

Ive been boiling rocks for 10 years without an exploding rock once. Im not saying it cant happen, but highly unlikely. I have even baked rocks in my oven.

 

[christine2012]

Ive been boiling rocks for 10 years without an exploding rock once. Im not saying it cant happen, but highly unlikely. I have even baked rocks in my oven.

I've had rock shatter in my kitchen. Lucky for me I had walked out of the room for something. My husband has baked rocks as well with no ill effects. I am just not a huge fan of taking unnecessary risks.

 

[chrisgaucher]

Sounds like some people have luck and others dont. And okay ill buy 100%

 

[mikem691]

It's the ge silicone 1 you want.

 

[chrisgaucher]

 

[Mrc8858]

Ive been boiling rocks for 10 years without an exploding rock once. Im not saying it cant happen, but highly unlikely. I have even baked rocks in my oven.

I've been around a few camp fires where the rock barrier has had one explode on a couple different occasions and its like being shot by a old school red rider. I understand its hotter but boiling can have the same effect and trust me its not fun lol.