Dry rock rubble: what's the best way to attach a ton of small pieces together?

[John Ostler]

I accidentally bought 2 bags of FIJI dry rock rubble from BRS (long story) over the weekend. haha. Now that I have them, I'm thinking it'd be really fun to create a super elaborate rock form for a nano.

So my question is, what would you guys recommend for sticking those little pieces of rocks together? I have a ton of small pieces and I have an opportunity to do so while they are dry and outside the tank.

 

[mfinn]

I tried using a couple different products and wasn't very happy with either in a recent build with dry rock.
However one method using acrylic dowel and drilling holes with a masonry bit seemed to work the best.
Maybe some smaller dowel, maybe 1/4"? Not sure how big the rock is.
Along with a adhesive like Aquaforest Stone Fix.

 

[BringingThatDottyback]

You could get a bucket of hydraulic cement from home Depot. Once it hardens it will be gray but look like rock.

 

[Big G]

I like to use a combination of Apoxie Sculpt & superglue gel. The Apoxie Sculpt is a two part product that comes in different colors. I squirt superglue on the rock; push enough Apoxie Sculpt into the same spot; squirt some superglue on the other piece of rock; push the two pieces together; squirt the connection with superglue accelerator (BRS sell it) spray. Instant bond and cure. Lots of fun, too! Here's a link to the Apoxie Sculpt: https://amazon.com/Apoxie-Sculpt-1-...s=apoxie+sculpt+4+lb&psc=1&smid=AU2FNATHSFHNB
Here's a pic of a structure I made out of big, med and lots of small pieces of dry rock:

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I like to use a combination of Apoxie Sculpt & superglue gel. The Apoxie Sculpt is a two part product that comes in different colors. I squirt superglue on the rock; push enough Apoxie Sculpt into the same spot; squirt some superglue on the other piece of rock; push the two pieces together; squirt the connection with superglue accelerator (BRS sell it) spray. Instant bond and cure. Lots of fun, too! Here's a link to the Apoxie Sculpt: https://amazon.com/Apoxie-Sculpt-1-...s=apoxie+sculpt+4+lb&psc=1&smid=AU2FNATHSFHNB
Here's a pic of a structure I made out of big, med and lots of small pieces of dry rock:
View attachment 625129

Very cool!! So noted !!

Also Marko Rock makes a cement.

 

[John Ostler]

I like to use a combination of Apoxie Sculpt & superglue gel. The Apoxie Sculpt is a two part product that comes in different colors. I squirt superglue on the rock; push enough Apoxie Sculpt into the same spot; squirt some superglue on the other piece of rock; push the two pieces together; squirt the connection with superglue accelerator (BRS sell it) spray. Instant bond and cure. Lots of fun, too! Here's a link to the Apoxie Sculpt: https://amazon.com/Apoxie-Sculpt-1-...s=apoxie+sculpt+4+lb&psc=1&smid=AU2FNATHSFHNB
Here's a pic of a structure I made out of big, med and lots of small pieces of dry rock:
View attachment 625129

Thanks for the tip! Do you use white or cream – or maybe it doesn't matter?

 

[Big G]

Thanks for the tip! Do you use white or cream – or maybe it doesn't matter?

I used "Natural" color. It's kinda greyish.

 

[ourcoralreef]

Not to be a downer but it will probably cost you more in glue and epoxy than buying new rock and sculpting it

That being said i would use bsi gel i have used other companies they use more glue and don’t stay stuck i have pieces that i used bsi and are still stuck 1-2 years later
Great frag glue as well if you are buying a couple of bottles

you can ask your lfs to give you a deal they usually would

The problem with epoxy is it stays white even after your rocks age