Maybe it's a little more work but I use 12mm wide acrylic rod, I drill out the aquascape and fix the acrylic rod in place, and attach another piece of drilled out aquascape to it. It's pretty hard to do, but I really like the look of it. At the end of the day you could just cover the acrylic rod in purple mortar and it would look seamless and probably be as strong if not stronger, but strength and rigidity depends on the length of the Tang part of the acrylic going into the rockscape and the clearance between the tang and the hole you have drilled. I normally go a little smaller drill hole than my 12mm acrylic, so I can file down the tang part and insert it into the rock while it's warm and it kind of fixes itself in place.
I’m currently doing the same thing. I’m finding the purple rock is very hard to drill through. I’m wondering if it gives adequate flow through like the white rock. I’m starting to think it looks good but really isn’t good for flow or organisms to live in.
Well damn, I was loving the scape I put together but now you got me thinking I need to glue it all and move it away from the back. I stacked it and created a network of openings underneath and lots of holes for the fish to swim in and out of.
Hi guys, brilliant information once again 👍, well done to both of you! Are you able to send/email a signed picture at all?? , I'd buzz putting it on the wall near my reef tank!! 👍👊😁
Don't underestimate the Value of multiple scape peices that look like they connect.. so its not all or nothing if something needs removed. And multiple smaller bases can result in better flow than one giant base.. and give you the ability to adjust as corals grow .. Or.. completely change the look by just turning two pieces 180
@ Have some very big Cichlids. I need some room for them to swim around. I like changing decorations around once every 6 months. I have a centerpiece in the middle of my tank, it is pretty long and there is an air stone in the middle of it.
So I had used this plastic type material in my 180. Not sure the name of it. But it is a 2 part that has to be heated up in warm water. It has been cycling for about 8 months. I have bumped the aquascape a couple times and of course it did not hold. So the rock is wet of course. Is super glue my only choice?
Super glue is probably your best bet in this case. If you can remove the rocks to glue them together, the accelerator helps out quite a bit too so that the glue hardens quickly.
Hey, I am new to reefing, and I will be setting up my 120-gallon peninsula tank in a few months. But, I want to do all the research early on. So, what would be the best bacteria to start cycling my tank with? My options are ATM products and Brightwell Aquatics Products. So please let me know. Thank you.
I know brightwell has the start kit w specific intructions.. and i was even able to call and the technicians were very helpful with answers to unique & specific questions.. like product combos times... and info for cycling ahead of time in buckets or bins etc.
I can't say that we have any experience with the ATM products, but have used Brightwell products (MicroBacter7 and MicroBacter Start, in particular) to get dozens and dozens of new tanks started over the years.
Using live rock is tricky because you want to keep the rock wet while you work. If you're set on building something and adhering it together, super glue and accelerator is our go-to option. Having some saltwater in a spray bottle can help keep the rock wet while you work.
Epoxy can be used under water, it's just not one of our favorite options. Everyone has their own personal preferences, but if you're using it under water, the Tunze Coral Gum is high up on the list. A little more pricey vs the alternatives, but much easier to work with for this purpose.
You've got a few options. Either modify our recipe, buy two containers and have some left over for next time, or you can adjust the whole ingredient list to make a partial batch. That said, don't overthink it. As long as you're close, you're still going to end up with an awesome food for your fish and corals 🙂
I notice you guys still aren't familiar with the thin-superglue & crushed (powdered) Marco rock method for scaping dryrock. It's the best. Invisible seams and stronger than the rock itself.
How come you guys don't sell that "Bulk Reef Supply" light up sign behind Ryan? The only one you guys sell is "BRSTV" I don't want that one, I would love to have the "Bulk Reef Supply" one instead!
I dread aquascaping my tanks, I am never happy with the monstrosities I create. I dislike the pile of rocks look. When I get home I am going to be aquascaping a lagoon tank but am short of ideas.
I thought I would struggle too.... It really is just a matter of stack, think, and restack. Take your time and be ready to break off work three days later when you decide you do not like it. Over time you will make it something you will love.
Been running with a boring stacked rock look for several months. Taking it slow and not a lot of corals yet but have a few fish and well cycled. What's the best way to re-aquascape to hnsa? Was thinking of taking out half the live rock (no corals attached) to build something in an hour or two with adhesive. Would somehow keep that rock wet during the build and then place back in tank. Would that work?
Aquascaping in an NSA or HNSA style with live rock can be a challenge. The main thing that you'd have to do is keep the rock wet while you aquascape to avoid the bacteria dying off. If you go this route, super glue, accelerator, and a spray bottle filled with saltwater will be your best friends.
Hello guys I’m nearly finished my first ever 60 gallon cube. I’ve based my sump and all my equipment based on your great videos. Please can you view my DIY dry rock aqua scape? I sent it over on Instagram and your thoughts would be great 👍🏻 keep up the great videos and all the knowledge you provide for the reefing community
@@BRStv hey guys I’ve sent a couple of pictures over to Ryan’s and Randy’s account, please don’t tear it to shreds but your opinions would be highly appreciated:)
Maybe it's a little more work but I use 12mm wide acrylic rod, I drill out the aquascape and fix the acrylic rod in place, and attach another piece of drilled out aquascape to it. It's pretty hard to do, but I really like the look of it. At the end of the day you could just cover the acrylic rod in purple mortar and it would look seamless and probably be as strong if not stronger, but strength and rigidity depends on the length of the Tang part of the acrylic going into the rockscape and the clearance between the tang and the hole you have drilled. I normally go a little smaller drill hole than my 12mm acrylic, so I can file down the tang part and insert it into the rock while it's warm and it kind of fixes itself in place.
Been working on my hnsa for almost 3 weeks now and don't regret a minute of it! Thank you for providing me with the knowledge to make my tank epic!
I don't have a creative bone in my body, so I'm struggling rn 😂
Thank you for the information.
Great Job BRS Dream Team!
Maybe it's a little more work but I use 12mm wide acrylic rod, I drill out the aquascape and fix the acrylic rod in place, and attach another piece of drilled out aquascape to it. It's pretty hard to do, but I really like the look of it. At the end of the day you could just cover the acrylic rod in purple mortar and it would look seamless and probably be as strong if not stronger, but strength and rigidity depends on the length of the Tang part of the acrylic going into the rockscape and the clearance between the tang and the hole you have drilled. I normally go a little smaller drill hole than my 12mm acrylic, so I can file down the tang part and insert it into the rock while it's warm and it kind of fixes itself in place.
I’m currently doing the same thing. I’m finding the purple rock is very hard to drill through. I’m wondering if it gives adequate flow through like the white rock. I’m starting to think it looks good but really isn’t good for flow or organisms to live in.
love this channel!
I'm literally in the middle of my 150g build and aquascaping is NOT my favorite part. I always struggle. Thanks for more videos on this topic!!
I love aquascape but mine doesn't look always the best but I eventually get it good
always good videos
Totally worthy the time to use adhesive. I had to catch a dotty back. Man, one hours without success. I took out the aquascape and was 30 sec job.
Well damn, I was loving the scape I put together but now you got me thinking I need to glue it all and move it away from the back. I stacked it and created a network of openings underneath and lots of holes for the fish to swim in and out of.
What's the black and purple fish at 5:51? Never seen it before. It is gorgeous!
That would be a Blue Velvet Damselfish
My real reef rock after about a year isn't even purple anymore lol.
Great video and timing as i plan on re-doing my full tank :D
Hi guys, brilliant information once again 👍, well done to both of you! Are you able to send/email a signed picture at all?? , I'd buzz putting it on the wall near my reef tank!! 👍👊😁
Shoot our customer service team a message. We might be able to figure something out with your next order :)
Don't underestimate the Value of multiple scape peices that look like they connect.. so its not all or nothing if something needs removed. And multiple smaller bases can result in better flow than one giant base.. and give you the ability to adjust as corals grow .. Or.. completely change the look by just turning two pieces 180
How long does mortar need to cure or cycle/clean before it’s safe to drop into an established tank?
How high can you stack the coral rocks? I have a 110 gallon tank 32” high
Personally, I think that your aquascape should go past the mid-point for your tank. Gotta leave room for coral to grow upwards!
@ Have some very big Cichlids. I need some room for them to swim around. I like changing decorations around once every 6 months. I have a centerpiece in the middle of my tank, it is pretty long and there is an air stone in the middle of it.
@ I am going to try what you said. Go 1/2 up. If you use epoxy, can you take it apart later
west system six 10 thickened epoxy is a game changer compared to that aquastik for dry rock and a heep cheaper and stronger
So I had used this plastic type material in my 180. Not sure the name of it. But it is a 2 part that has to be heated up in warm water.
It has been cycling for about 8 months. I have bumped the aquascape a couple times and of course it did not hold. So the rock is wet of course. Is super glue my only choice?
Super glue is probably your best bet in this case. If you can remove the rocks to glue them together, the accelerator helps out quite a bit too so that the glue hardens quickly.
Hey, I am new to reefing, and I will be setting up my 120-gallon peninsula tank in a few months. But, I want to do all the research early on. So, what would be the best bacteria to start cycling my tank with? My options are ATM products and Brightwell Aquatics Products. So please let me know. Thank you.
I know brightwell has the start kit w specific intructions.. and i was even able to call and the technicians were very helpful with answers to unique & specific questions.. like product combos times... and info for cycling ahead of time in buckets or bins etc.
I can't say that we have any experience with the ATM products, but have used Brightwell products (MicroBacter7 and MicroBacter Start, in particular) to get dozens and dozens of new tanks started over the years.
So how would this work using live rock?
Using live rock is tricky because you want to keep the rock wet while you work. If you're set on building something and adhering it together, super glue and accelerator is our go-to option. Having some saltwater in a spray bottle can help keep the rock wet while you work.
Is it a specific type of super glue or is regular safe for aquarium?
Ideally some actually advertise that they are “aquarium safe” best to just take the time and buy it from a lfs
So, cant use epoxy underwater? If so what brand would you suggest?
Epoxy can be used under water, it's just not one of our favorite options. Everyone has their own personal preferences, but if you're using it under water, the Tunze Coral Gum is high up on the list. A little more pricey vs the alternatives, but much easier to work with for this purpose.
@@BRStv legends👌 thanks
The back order for marco foundation rocks in Sweden is 6 months...
You've got a few options. Either modify our recipe, buy two containers and have some left over for next time, or you can adjust the whole ingredient list to make a partial batch. That said, don't overthink it. As long as you're close, you're still going to end up with an awesome food for your fish and corals 🙂
I notice you guys still aren't familiar with the thin-superglue & crushed (powdered) Marco rock method for scaping dryrock. It's the best. Invisible seams and stronger than the rock itself.
Here a demo: ua-cam.com/video/YabRU1LYDY4/v-deo.html
If you go watch their first aquascaping videos, the ones that are 1+ hours long, they used thin super glue and crushed Marco rock to hide their seams.
@@DaiMasters Yeah, but not as the actual bond, they use epoxy/cement for that.
We tested it and didn’t find it to be stronger. However it was a lot more work to apply .
How come you guys don't sell that "Bulk Reef Supply" light up sign behind Ryan? The only one you guys sell is "BRSTV" I don't want that one, I would love to have the "Bulk Reef Supply" one instead!
That one was a prototype. Maybe we'll have to offer it along side the BRStv version 😀
I dread aquascaping my tanks, I am never happy with the monstrosities I create. I dislike the pile of rocks look. When I get home I am going to be aquascaping a lagoon tank but am short of ideas.
I thought I would struggle too.... It really is just a matter of stack, think, and restack. Take your time and be ready to break off work three days later when you decide you do not like it. Over time you will make it something you will love.
Take your time and don't be afraid to walk away and come back to it later if you get frustrated or aren't liking the way things are looking.
Been running with a boring stacked rock look for several months. Taking it slow and not a lot of corals yet but have a few fish and well cycled.
What's the best way to re-aquascape to hnsa? Was thinking of taking out half the live rock (no corals attached) to build something in an hour or two with adhesive. Would somehow keep that rock wet during the build and then place back in tank. Would that work?
Aquascaping in an NSA or HNSA style with live rock can be a challenge. The main thing that you'd have to do is keep the rock wet while you aquascape to avoid the bacteria dying off. If you go this route, super glue, accelerator, and a spray bottle filled with saltwater will be your best friends.
no way i am paying $30 for a rock rather get marco rock and wait for coraline
😄 P-R-O-M-O-S-M!
Hello guys I’m nearly finished my first ever 60 gallon cube. I’ve based my sump and all my equipment based on your great videos. Please can you view my DIY dry rock aqua scape? I sent it over on Instagram and your thoughts would be great 👍🏻 keep up the great videos and all the knowledge you provide for the reefing community
Hey Ashley,
Feel free to shoot it over on IG! We'd love to see it!
@@BRStv hey guys I’ve sent a couple of pictures over to Ryan’s and Randy’s account, please don’t tear it to shreds but your opinions would be highly appreciated:)
Maybe it's a little more work but I use 12mm wide acrylic rod, I drill out the aquascape and fix the acrylic rod in place, and attach another piece of drilled out aquascape to it. It's pretty hard to do, but I really like the look of it. At the end of the day you could just cover the acrylic rod in purple mortar and it would look seamless and probably be as strong if not stronger, but strength and rigidity depends on the length of the Tang part of the acrylic going into the rockscape and the clearance between the tang and the hole you have drilled. I normally go a little smaller drill hole than my 12mm acrylic, so I can file down the tang part and insert it into the rock while it's warm and it kind of fixes itself in place.