DIY rock question

[hangles]

Hi Everyone !
I have made my own rock using garp's method and was wondering has anybody else done this and what was the PH of your cured rock when you added it to your tank ?
thanks for any help !

 

[dngspot]

I have a 150 Gallon tank with 40 lbs of Figi live rock and about 300 lbs of concrete rock. My recipe is 2 parts of fine aggregate sand, 2 parts of oyster shell sand and 1 part portland cement. It took about 8 weeks with water changes every other day to lower the PH. I would not try to cure the rock in a salt water tank; I have read that it will weaken the rock. Also if the tank has anything in it that is alive, it will die quickly as the PH will rise to a point that is not readable, by my test kit anyway. The rock has been in my tank for about a year with no adverse effects.

 

[hangles]

thanks dngspot
but what was the PH of your cure water just befor you put it in your tank ?

 

[johno4]

wait until the ph drops to the range you want your tank water at.

 

[zman90]

While it was in fresh water it dropped to 7.4 with a freshwater pH test kit. It went back up to 8.0 when I changed to out to salt for the last two weeks ( It was the change water for the rise).


edit:
I did not use the exact Garf recipe.

DIY rock mix I used: Dry ingredients: Oyster shell, Pukka shells, and Portland cement.
4 Parts Oyster shell 1 Part Pukka shells 1 Part Portland cement (When I didn't have Pukka shells, I substituted this part with another part of Oyster shells)

 

[Eron]

I also made a LOT of rock from the garf recipe and cured it for 4 months just, with water changes every other day. Kept it in a tub outside so it made the water changes easier, Its now been in my tank for about 7 months and it looks great, lots of coraline growth and my frags haven't any problems being glued to it, hope this helps

 

[hangles]

thanks everyone !
My PH is at 8.4 in fresh water after six weeks. i did my own mix also one part white portland 1, one part aragonite sand 1/4, two parts oyster shell. one part coral life sand bed and one part sand. so far it has a nice texture to it but would like to get it more nooks and cranny's for bacteria growth. anyway looks like i have a while to go to get it cured !
thanks!