Best way to hold up rock work

[peter]

So im starting a new tank soon and will be using mostly tonga branch. Anyone use zipties or fishing line to keep pieces together? Any side effects other than zipties are kind of ugly looking? Rather not use epoxy.

 

[JavaJacketOC]

I've seen a lot of structures with zip-ties in them...just have to position them in a way that will allow you to cover them with coral.

 

[theMerchant]

Emarco 400 cement works great and reef safe. I've used it and it can produce gravity defying effects if done right

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[peter]

Emarco 400 cement works great and reef safe. I've used it and it can produce gravity defying effects if done right

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Was thinking about that, but its permanent huh?

 

[Emac909]

I first would not trust zip ties long term. Salt water is very abrasive and zip ties can crack/break very easy. Say 4 months after u make your rock structure. The zip tie/s that u use to make a nice branch structure give out and that branch comes crashing down and hits the glass in such a way (just in the perfect spot) that it cracks the bottom pane. Know your at work or play and u come home to an empty tank with a giant mess to clean.
Do u really want to want to put all your hope in a thin strip of plastic that are known to brake?

 

[overbored]

I first would not trust zip ties long term. Salt water is very abrasive and zip ties can crack/break very easy. Say 4 months after u make your rock structure. The zip tie/s that u use to make a nice branch structure give out and that branch comes crashing down and hits the glass in such a way (just in the perfect spot) that it cracks the bottom pane. Know your at work or play and u come home to an empty tank with a giant mess to clean.
Do u really want to want to put all your hope in a thin strip of plastic that are known to brake?

+1 on that zip ties will not last in salt water

 

[blitz49]

Drill holes in rocks and use an acrylic rod or threaded nylon rod with nylon bolts.

 

[lowbudget]

Emarco 400 cement works great and reef safe. I've used it and it can produce gravity defying effects if done right

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i have a bucket i did not use if you need it let me know

 

[peter]

I first would not trust zip ties long term. Salt water is very abrasive and zip ties can crack/break very easy. Say 4 months after u make your rock structure. The zip tie/s that u use to make a nice branch structure give out and that branch comes crashing down and hits the glass in such a way (just in the perfect spot) that it cracks the bottom pane. Know your at work or play and u come home to an empty tank with a giant mess to clean.
Do u really want to want to put all your hope in a thin strip of plastic that are known to brake?

Have you seen mr kangs korean reef? He uses zip ties from the picture but not sure if he used anything else.

 

[peter]

Drill holes in rocks and use an acrylic rod or threaded nylon rod with nylon bolts.

I think tonga branch is to fragile to drill for rods.

 

[BeanMachine]

Have you seen mr kangs korean reef? He uses zip ties from the picture but not sure if he used anything else.

Why are you against using the mortar? Its not hard to use. You can use the ties, then put the mortar (emarco or similar) over the top so its more natural looking.

 

[peter]

Why are you against using the mortar? Its not hard to use. You can use the ties, then put the mortar (emarco or similar) over the top so its more natural looking.

Just like having the option to be able to move things around down the road.

 

[gumbii]

i use crystal pillars that are hand blown by some world known artist in spain...

 

[StarBlenny]

I've used acrylic rods that is holding up the aquascaping. You can't see it unless you look behind the aquascaping. I also used epoxy (DD Aquascape Aquarium Epoxy, also used JB Weld from HD) and superglue together. Aquascaping it 1000X much easier too when your doing it outside the tank.

 

[Bigpapii]

How about silicone sealants? It's not permanent. But it holds well.

 

[Reaver]

I used pond foam with what I'd consider good success. Granted you won't get the gravity defying displays you see with the marco rock, but it holds the rocks together after you've stacked them up. The only downside for me was it expands more than I thought it would, and I ended up having to trim it in a few places. If you try it, go slow with it, try it in a few spots and get a feel for how much it expands before doing too much at once. It will also pull apart fairly easily when and if you need it to.

 

[peter]

This is what i had so far but i just ordered a few more pieces but trying to go for this look. The end looks kinda funky might add more smaller pieces.

 

[peter]

I used pond foam with what I'd consider good success. Granted you won't get the gravity defying displays you see with the marco rock, but it holds the rocks together after you've stacked them up. The only downside for me was it expands more than I thought it would, and I ended up having to trim it in a few places. If you try it, go slow with it, try it in a few spots and get a feel for how much it expands before doing too much at once. It will also pull apart fairly easily when and if you need it to.

Saw a video on one looks pretty crazy, lots of pillars and stuff but looks to unnatural.

 

[ivan]

Look at this

It's been almost two years since I did this with zipties
If you want I can help you I have some new cement that u can use when is out of the water let me know I you want me to help u
323-683-7426

 

[peter]

Look at this

It's been almost two years since I did this with zipties
If you want I can help you I have some new cement that u can use when is out of the water let me know I you want me to help u
323-683-7426

Dam sweet scape. Whats the tank dimensions?