The best way to glue lava rocks to form a structure

[kimkeat]

Hi,

I bought a bag of small pieces of lava rocks and would like to use them to form a bigger structure. What is the best material to glue them together? Silicone? Epoxy? Others? Where do I buy it?

Thanks.

[seudzar]

It would be best that you get those glue that are aquarium. As lava rocks has many of these pocketed holes, I would recommend to use epoxy, you can get them in c328. But take note, the surface of the lava rocks seems to break off easily.

[kimkeat]

Thanks seudzar.

[anu182]

Aquarium grade silicone.

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[kimkeat]

Thanks anu182. Have you tried it before? Is it strong enough to hold the lava rocks together?

[anu182]

Yes. Since you are using lavarock which has a rough surface area, a little will do. I used on shiny rocks before too.

Make sure you cure it for a few days before using.

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[Ingen]

I tried hotglue before and worked well, saw it on one of the video from Green Machine. Unfortunately, my brand new hot glue gun exploded internally, short circuit my whole unit and I was too traumatized to use it again...

[limz_777]

I tried hotglue before and worked well, saw it on one of the video from Green Machine. Unfortunately, my brand new hot glue gun exploded internally, short circuit my whole unit and I was too traumatized to use it again...

never encounter this before , the gun just blew up ?

[cmwong]

do you mean the hotglue guns that is normally used for artwork?

[kimkeat]

Is it something like this http://cdn4.rccaraction.com/wp-conte...ue.jpg?353247? Is the glue stick aquarium safe?

[Ingen]

Accordingly to green machine video it says safe, I didnt do much research.

Yes, there was a loud "boomz" and flare up internally (literally flare coming out from inside) but the whole gun remained intact (looks brand new, except for the burnt smell), followed by all the pump, filters and electrical appliances shut down and tripped my main power switch outside of my unit.

The lucky part was I just placed it down for less than 20 seconds, I cannot imagine if it "exploded" while I was holding it! Did I mentioned it was brand new, I have less than 30mins usage time on it before it exploded and the gun cost me $19!

I reckon it will take me a long time before I touch it again.

[kimkeat]

I bought a bag of 2kg lava rocks from Nanyang. The rocks have much lighter colour (a mix of creamy, grey, peach etc.) compared to the usual red lava rock. The label said 'LAVA ROCK PUMIX WHI". I put 10 pieces in water and 8 of them floats even after many hours. Are they real lava rocks? I googled and there is a type of volcanic rock called Pumice. Are those I bought pumice? Are they shrimp safe? Last but not least, how do I make them sink?

[markus92]

I bought a bag of 2kg lava rocks from Nanyang. The rocks have much lighter colour (a mix of creamy, grey, peach etc.) compared to the usual red lava rock. The label said 'LAVA ROCK PUMIX WHI". I put 10 pieces in water and 8 of them floats even after many hours. Are they real lava rocks? I googled and there is a type of volcanic rock called Pumice. Are those I bought pumice? Are they shrimp safe? Last but not least, how do I make them sink?

i have bought many lava rocks and they all were labeled "lava rocks" but it was obvious that there was some weight discrepancies as some looked heavy but were actually quite light, someone recently used floating rocks that he tied down using a string to make his aquascape look like there were floating mountants so i guess some rocks are known to float so im not quite sure if u can make them sink or if urs is the same kind, if u feel unsafe about something and are introducing it into a shrimp tank always soak it like DW in hot water to remove any contaminates and pest.

[markus92]

Hi,

I bought a bag of small pieces of lava rocks and would like to use them to form a bigger structure. What is the best material to glue them together? Silicone? Epoxy? Others? Where do I buy it?

Thanks.

do use aquarium grade silicone as if u use others sensitive shrimp or fish to chemicals may die

[kimkeat]

i have bought many lava rocks and they all were labeled "lava rocks" but it was obvious that there was some weight discrepancies as some looked heavy but were actually quite light, someone recently used floating rocks that he tied down using a string to make his aquascape look like there were floating mountants so i guess some rocks are known to float so im not quite sure if u can make them sink or if urs is the same kind, if u feel unsafe about something and are introducing it into a shrimp tank always soak it like DW in hot water to remove any contaminates and pest.

They are still floating. Hmm... floating mountain...interesting idea.

[markus92]

This was done by a singaporean
Entry #153: 58L Aquatic Garden: Halelujah Mountain
Kau Wan Ling, Singapore Singapore Singapore
1530.jpg

[seudzar]

Lol... Lava rock suppose to be porous. Those lava rock that flows mean it is very porous as all the air suck inside. Once the air go out of the lava rock. It will sink like other rocks

[markus92]

hahas, thanks for clarifying it seudzar

[kimkeat]

Lol... Lava rock suppose to be porous. Those lava rock that flows mean it is very porous as all the air suck inside. Once the air go out of the lava rock. It will sink like other rocks

I think you are right. Now, four are still floating.

[kimkeat]

After soaking for 4 days, 4 rocks remain floating. Could there be air pocket inside? How do I get the air out without drilling a hole? Are my shrimps destined to have floating mountains as their new home? Haha...