Rock making (1 Viewer)

[MarkieB]

Ha Ha my first brave neighbor wondered over Saturday curious about what kind of plants I was growing in the house. Was not that direct in the question, but slowly lead up to it.

The other fun I have had repeatedly is people coming to buy something, and I am in the garage fiddling. They walk up, look, and I get the same puzzled face and question each time. " Oh, you are keeping your tank in your garage". They see the sump, which is a 75 gallon tank, and think it is my main tank. I can only imagine what is going on through their mind at that point!

 

[angel4]

I made some rocks 2 months ago with oyster shell and portland cement. Been soaking them in tap water. How do I know if the rocks are ready?

The water is clearer than it used to be but you can still see some stuff leeching and floating on top. I changed out with new tap water, pH 7.8 and after 1 day, the pH is off the chart hi.

 

[MarkieB]

The object it to change the water every few days. Not sure if you have been doing that or not. Start if not, and eventually the ph will go down to normal ranges. You can use old water change water, salt water, to speed it up a little.

 

[angel4]

The object it to change the water every few days. Not sure if you have been doing that or not. Start if not, and eventually the ph will go down to normal ranges. You can use old water change water, salt water, to speed it up a little.

I was on vacation for a while so the water only got changed once a week. Other than that I have tried to change it out every other day.

Just today though, the water is getting clearer. A couple more days and I will test the pH again.

After that, what do I do?
Thanks.

 

[MarkieB]

Once the water PH is stable under 8.3.0 try some salt water for a few days. Once it is stable under 8.3.0 in salt water you are ready to do whatever you want with it. The more you change the water out the faster it will cure.

 

[angel4]

When you put the rocks in salt water, did u have to change out the water?

How are your rocks doing for you?

 

[MarkieB]

When you put the rocks in salt water, did u have to change out the water? How are your rocks doing for you?

From what I read in the instructions I followed the salt water is kind of a finishing cure. After the PH is stable in fresh, the salt kinda gives a final kick to drop the PH. I actually just added my tank change water from time to time in my curing vat.

My rocks are doing fine for me. They grow coral, coraline, pods, etc.
No complaints.

 

[Pax]

Kudos to MarkieB

I was just catching up on this massive thread and am blown away by your dyi rock and the results! You are a master!!

I am unworthy!!

 

[mario8402]

how bout some updated shots!!

 

[sbfuller]

how bout some updated shots!!

i have some updated shots of mine... made entirely of only concrete and rock salt... well apperently is is so porus that after sitting out for a month dry that it'll hold so much air that it floats!! most are staying down, but 3 aren't!

 

[reefgnome]

Cast-in-place frag plug holes and using spray foam for holes/voids are good ideas. You can just spray the foam in eratic designs, allow to cure, put some releasing agent on it, pour concrete over it and when the concrete is cured, dig out the foam.

 

[mario8402]

how bout some updated shots!!

i have some updated shots of mine... made entirely of only concrete and rock salt... well apperently is is so porus that after sitting out for a month dry that it'll hold so much air that it floats!! most are staying down, but 3 aren't!

lol, thats funny. everyone does the pillars, rock wall, overhang, but i dont think anyone has tried floating rocks they look good

 

[Guest]

Do you have any up to date pictures of your reef?

 

[SnMan]

I just mixed up a small batch to make frag rocks. I used:
1 part water
1 part white cement/mortar
3 parts shell (I can't remember where I got them...)
3 parts rocks salt (Solar from HD the blue bags)

I just mixed it all up and filled some styrofoam egg cartons. Just the part that holds the eggs. My plan is for them to pop out after a couple of days of hardening. Then into a 5 gal bucket of water for curing.

 

[makingbubbles]

Im new here (SO DONT JUDGE ME!!!!) Reading trough the post, and figured i could help with the Rock making. From my experience the thicker the mix the better. 24 hour dry time, then stick in a large plastic storage bin full of water ($6 at wallmart). Keep outside for for 2 months changing water occasionally . Rocks not safe till you have wiggle tails aka mosquito larva in the water. as for my mix.

3parts Crushed shell (from Texas city dike or feed store) the feed stores mainly carry small bags now for 5$
2parts Portland cement (90lb bag 12.00)
2parts salt rock aka water softener (30lb bag 8.00)

will have to take some photos but for the most part looks like the ones taken early in this forum. hope i helped some one.

 

[nubz]

im starting my first batch tonight

 

[makingbubbles]

Good for you. once you start you might never stop. i have some curing right now too.

 

[Ulric]

just an fyi... come warmer weather, if someone wants to do a 'big' batch etc...

I've got a cement mixer, handles approx 120lbs of pre-mix.

 

[reefling]

I saw one recipe on youtube that was just crushed coral and cement. the guy made a cave and it was better than premium fiji.
here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17FgBaWcw-A

 

[reefling]

I saw one recipe on youtube that was just crushed coral and cement. the guy made a cave and it was better than premium fiji.
here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17FgBaWcw-A

I have not bought crushed coral to use on this yet, but i used the normal aragonite and made a rock with a cave in the middle. it would not hold water. it was like in the video, but instead of crushed coral, I just used coarse aragonite. I got a 40lb bag to make frag rocks out of. I would suggest white cement. I got gray because it was cheaper, but the color is darker than regular rock.