How to put small rocks together? - Aquarium Advice

Gatorfreak · 07-31-2006, 10:07 AM

I have some fist-size rocks that I would like to put together to form a structure. They are all dry base rock. I was thinking cement, maybe? Don't want to use anything that is going to release chemicals into the tank, of course. Any suggestions?

Bearfan · 07-31-2006, 10:23 AM

I used silicone sealant to make my waterfall.

RogerMcAllen · 07-31-2006, 10:35 AM

I'll second the silicone. Just make sure that it is pure silicone and not one of the versions with additives.

Gatorfreak · 07-31-2006, 11:13 AM

I thought I'd tried that before and it didn't hold. I'll give it a shot to be sure.
Thanks.

BillD · 07-31-2006, 06:01 PM

Silicone sealant will not stick to rocks the same way it sticks to glass, but will do the job. Make sure the rocks are clean, and as mentioned, get a silicone such as GE Silicone I for windows and doors. Do not use anything that says "tub and tile" or "kitchens and baths", as they contain mildewcides. GE Silicone II is also not recommended.

djlen3 · 08-03-2006, 12:21 AM

Many folks use epoxy like this:
http://www.bigalsonline.com/edealinv...228&catLevel=0

Big Al's sells two versions of this stuff....in white and in grey as shown. I just bought some because I'm gathering information on how to build stone 'walls' by attaching small pieces of slate/stone to Styrofoam to create a tiered affect in one of my tanks.
I just created a thread in this forum, asking for some input on various ways to do this.

Len

greenmaji · 08-03-2006, 02:49 AM

second vote for epoxy.

boxxmann · 12-01-2006, 03:00 AM

third vote for epoxy!

tropicalfish · 12-02-2006, 03:52 PM

Epoxy is good for holding things together. I recommend silicone for watertight seals.

happygirl65 · 12-10-2006, 11:53 PM

I used silicone for my rock work and it worked well. The trick for me was to get a large glob of glue on each rock then mush them together, then immediately pull them apart then press them back together hard and hold for 10 seconds, then not mess with them over night. The next day I could then put completed sections together. The flater the surfaces the better they stuck together.

07-31-2006, 10:07 AM	#1
Gatorfreak Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 617 Images: 2	How to put small rocks together? I have some fist-size rocks that I would like to put together to form a structure. They are all dry base rock. I was thinking cement, maybe? Don't want to use anything that is going to release chemicals into the tank, of course. Any suggestions?

07-31-2006, 10:23 AM	#2
Bearfan Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Marquette, MI Posts: 3,554 Images: 45	I used silicone sealant to make my waterfall. __________________ 75 gal w/ 75 gal sump, 25 gal fuge with Chaeto and 25 gal frag - 4x65 PC w/ Moonlite on the main tank, 2x20W PC on the fuge, 4x20W PC on the frag 72 Gal Bowfront Planted w/ 2x65 PC and 40W T8

07-31-2006, 10:35 AM	#3
RogerMcAllen Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Champaign, IL Posts: 2,330 Images: 16	I'll second the silicone. Just make sure that it is pure silicone and not one of the versions with additives. __________________ Have your reviewed your aquarium products yet?

07-31-2006, 06:01 PM	#5
BillD Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Whitby, Ont,Canada Posts: 921	Silicone sealant will not stick to rocks the same way it sticks to glass, but will do the job. Make sure the rocks are clean, and as mentioned, get a silicone such as GE Silicone I for windows and doors. Do not use anything that says "tub and tile" or "kitchens and baths", as they contain mildewcides. GE Silicone II is also not recommended. __________________ Join a fish club. Don't have one in your area? Start one.

08-03-2006, 12:21 AM	#6
djlen3 Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Somerdale, New Jersey USA Posts: 82	Many folks use epoxy like this: http://www.bigalsonline.com/edealinv...228&catLevel=0 Big Al's sells two versions of this stuff....in white and in grey as shown. I just bought some because I'm gathering information on how to build stone 'walls' by attaching small pieces of slate/stone to Styrofoam to create a tiered affect in one of my tanks. I just created a thread in this forum, asking for some input on various ways to do this. Len __________________ HAVE DISCS - WILL TRAVEL 'Life Is Difficult' - M. Scott Peck The Road Less Traveled

07-31-2006, 11:13 AM	#4
Gatorfreak Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 617 Images: 2	I thought I'd tried that before and it didn't hold. I'll give it a shot to be sure. Thanks.

08-03-2006, 02:49 AM	#7
greenmaji Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: May 2005 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 5,937	second vote for epoxy.

12-01-2006, 03:00 AM	#8
boxxmann Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Richmond, Va. Posts: 44	third vote for epoxy!

12-02-2006, 03:52 PM	#9
tropicalfish Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 325	Epoxy is good for holding things together. I recommend silicone for watertight seals. __________________ --- 75 Gallon Rena FilStar xP3, Aquarium Systems Visi-Therm 200W (2), Coralife 48" Aqualight 260W 6700K --- 10 Gallon Hexagon Hagen AquaClear 30, Visi-Therm Deluxe 50, DIY CF 20W 6500K CF, Hagen Natural CO2 System :: Bloodfin Tetra (1), Red-eye Tetra (3), Black Skirt Tetra (3), Harlequin Rasbora (6), Platy (1), Otocinclus Catfish (1) :: Rotala Indica, Hygrophila Difformis (Wisteria), Cabomba Carolinia ---

12-10-2006, 11:53 PM	#10
happygirl65 Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: DeBorgia, MT Posts: 828 Images: 7	I used silicone for my rock work and it worked well. The trick for me was to get a large glob of glue on each rock then mush them together, then immediately pull them apart then press them back together hard and hold for 10 seconds, then not mess with them over night. The next day I could then put completed sections together. The flater the surfaces the better they stuck together.

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