How to aquascape/cement with live rock

[playaslk]

Hey guys,
I posted my scape shot in a diff thread, but now I want to do some aquascaping before I move the corals over. My issue is that my rock is "live" and has been for the past few years. I know that sticking stuff to it isnt all that easy and has to be quick so it doesnt dry out. I have read about macrorock bonding mortar and emailed them re its stickiness to wet live rock. I will report their response.
So far, I have read no poor feedback re that type of mortar on here or other forums.
A slightly cheaper alternative would be hydraulic cement from lowes or HD (http://www.lowes.com/pd_41334-96-00924_0__) but I dont know whether its all that safe, nor how it sticks to live rock.
The third option is to go buy driveway markets from HD and drill the rock quickly, threading it onto the acrylic rods. This would ofcourse be more of a problem when the rock is undrillable or you are trying to make some sort of a bonzai shape.

Any suggestions are welcome.

 

[Riblet]

Try marco mortar work pretty good on wet rock

 

[AndrewSpeake]

You can also try and cut acrylic rod. Then drill holes in the rocks you want to connect, with a masonry bit. Stick desired rock on each end of the rod but cut it so that the rocks touch and you wont see any rod and connect that way. Its very strong and is a fast and easy alternative. Sounds daunting but its actually rally easy. you can create some insane scapes that way too

here is my friends tank which we aquascaped using this method:

 

[Surgical]

Whoa! Thats really cool!

 

[phish96]

Whoa! Thats really cool!

yup, nicely done on that rock work!

 

[russ13]

where can you get the rods?

 

[Surgical]

i believe i have heard of people getting the acrylic rods from home depot. they are sold as driveway markers? anyone?

 

[hookedonreef-er]

Fiber glass rods work really well too and they are flexible and smaller than most of the acrylic rods. You should be able to get them at home depot as well. I've seen electricians use them to pull wire. Good luck and remember to get creative with the scape.

 

[AndrewSpeake]

the ones for driveways are too thin for my taste. Just google a plastic shop in your area and they will forsure have them. get like 1/2 inch. its only 7 bucks for 6 ft of it

 

[jbaeza83]

the ones for driveways are too thin for my taste. Just google a plastic shop in your area and they will forsure have them. get like 1/2 inch. its only 7 bucks for 6 ft of it

Wouldn't a thinner rod be easier to hide and a smaller hole to drill? The fiberglass rods that they sell at HD (drive way markers) are really strong and wont break I think that they are 3/8" thick

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Blazer-I...Fiberglass-Pole-382RDM/202498045#.UXlbCOjn_IU

 

[reefes pieces]

I used Hydraulic cement and it worked out great. No Ph spike and doesn't seem to be leaching anything. I think the only time someone used it and had a PH spike was bc they were using it to make live rock not to aquascape with it. Very strong stuff. I have a 10-15 lb rock suspended like a branch no problem. It will bond with wet rock but you have to keep the rock out and let it cure before placing back in the tank. That will be a pain in the arse for sure. The acrylic rods will be more instant and you won't have to wait for curing times that's for sure.

 

[el mayo]

**** that looks awesome with the rods! I guess I'm gonna have to tear apart my tank now to do it.