What kind of epoxy?

[Danyen]

So, I've finally started my 40g breeder build (thread and pics to follow later today). My question is this:

I built some DIY rock lifts out of 1" PVC. I've got a few slots to insert small powerheads to aerate the rock from underneath. I want to epoxy the rock lifts to coat the surfaces with sand, but I don't know what kind to use. I figure that, that way, if my beloved goby exposes the skeleton of the lifts occasionally, it wont be a big deal because it will be more camouflaged. So TRT, what epoxy is inert and will get the job done? Bonus points if I can use it to seal the rock lifts together at the same time.

Thanks!

[Jflip2002]

Famo wood. I bought it at home depot, and its what Geoff recommends on the FSB build. Scuff up the rock lifts first, IMO. That way it gives a little texture to adhere to.

[Fly Guy]

actually cutting grooves out of the pvc with a hacksaw or table saw will really make the epoxy hold well and never slip under any amount of torque...

[Danyen]

cool. Thanks for the recommendations. I think I'll do both.

[Danyen]

So, do I use famowood glaze coat or Dura Tuff? They look like clear coat finishes. Do I just mix them with sand and brush them on?

Thanks for the help

[Jflip2002]

I personally mixed the entire contents of the Famowood together. Make sure theyre totally mixed, otherwise you will have problems. I just mixed my sand in with the mixture. Though I would imagine you would save TONS of material if you just brushed it on, and sprinkled sand on top of it.

I dont know if this helps. But I plan on using Plastikote Stone touch paint, on the outside, underneat of my tank. It looks just like sand, we actually did a dresser in it, to see what it would end up like. It looks great, just like you rolled the dresser in glue and sand. I think thatd work if you put it on the outside underneath. That way your inside of your tank is still smooth, and can still be scraped with a razor. The #1 thing that bothered me about FSB, is the rough bottom. Fish poo stuck to it, and you couldnt scrub it efficiently.

http://www.plasti-kote.com/plastikot...uct=Fleckstone

[Danyen]

Originally Posted by Jflip2002

I personally mixed the entire contents of the Famowood together. Make sure theyre totally mixed, otherwise you will have problems. I just mixed my sand in with the mixture. Though I would imagine you would save TONS of material if you just brushed it on, and sprinkled sand on top of it.

I dont know if this helps. But I plan on using Plastikote Stone touch paint, on the outside, underneat of my tank. It looks just like sand, we actually did a dresser in it, to see what it would end up like. It looks great, just like you rolled the dresser in glue and sand. I think thatd work if you put it on the outside underneath. That way your inside of your tank is still smooth, and can still be scraped with a razor. The #1 thing that bothered me about FSB, is the rough bottom. Fish poo stuck to it, and you couldnt scrub it efficiently.

http://www.plasti-kote.com/plastikot...uct=Fleckstone

yeah, but I actually plan on running a shallow sand bed, so that won't work for me. The lifts are primarily to get flow through the rockwork, and prevent the rocks from leeching phosphates out of the sand.