DIY Rock workshop????

[WarDaddy]

I was thinking of making a batch of DIY rock for my 90.

I was wondering if anyone wanted to turn this into a DIY Club type Workshop activity. As far as DIY? workshops go this one is about as cheap as they come.

If there is interest I will work something up. I could do it at my place, although I am a little far north for most of ya. I have a nice sized driveway we could all hang out on and make "mud Pies" as grandma would call it.

This is the thread that is spurring the idea.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=952524&perpage=25&pagenumber=1
Basic Portland Cement/Salt/Sand rock. I am also think of playing with the idea of a sand mold to help support a more complicated 3 dimensional rock design.

here is a thread that shows the sand molds I am thinking about... amazing looking rock!
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=617445&perpage=25&pagenumber=12

This could turn out to be fun for the whole family.

 

[mflamb]

I have 440 lbs of it that I made.

 

[GreyHawk1968]

I am about to get a 120 today and was going to do the DIY rock thing. Let me know what you are planning and maybe we could brainstorm. I also looked over the DIY thread and thought it can't be that hard.. maybe messy but not hard. Got a couple ideas in my head about how to try it also.
I am thinking about PVC skeleton to support more complex structures. This next tank is not a hurry up and get going tank, it's a project I want to build slowly over time.
Mud Pies,, a flash back to childhood...LOL

 

[WarDaddy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9472863#post9472863 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mflamb
I have 440 lbs of it that I made.

Well it sounds like we have an instructor
*runs off to reread mflamb's thread* I thought I saw rock in there... how did he do it?

 

[GreyHawk1968]

I don't tink there is a right or wrong way to do it.. Just depends on what you want the rock to do in the tank. Structural support, looks, ease of use, whatever.
How did the rock work for you mflamb?
How long did it take to cure out so you could add fish?
Is it stable?
thanks

 

[mflamb]

I made some sand boxes out of plywood and used HD playsand for the molds. Mine doesn't look good. Nothing 100 lbs of Marco Rocks rubble and compression cement wont take care of!!!

 

[boydx6]

DIY Club workshop

DIY Club workshop

I would be interested in a DIY rock workshop. Sounds like a fun time.

 

[mflamb]

I cured mine in the swimming pool for 8 weeks.

 

[WarDaddy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9473880#post9473880 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mflamb
I cured mine in the swimming pool for 8 weeks.

Problem one... need a swimming pool

Problem two... explaining to the wife what is on the bottom of the pool

 

[mflamb]

LOL...I put mine on the swimout shelf.
You can cure it in a kids plastic pool. You have to change the water real regularly. The curing concrete drives the pH way up.

 

[guntercb]

Bryan,

Keep us posted. If it is at your house, I want to come check it out and can help; however, I do not need any rock.

Cheers,
Chris

 

[WarDaddy]

I happen to have a 110 gallon tub on the porch full of water... hummmm

Need rock! Weekend project #15,342

 

[WarDaddy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9473931#post9473931 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by guntercb
Bryan,

Keep us posted. If it is at your house, I want to come check it out and can help; however, I do not need any rock.

Cheers,
Chris

you going to the meeting on Saturday? Want to cruise by my place and then car pool?

 

[guntercb]

Bryan,

I cannot make the meeting on Saturday. I have BBQ to attend. So don't feel to bad for me. (-: But yeah, in the future we can carpool to some of the meetings.

Cheers,
Chris

 

[sweetdreamfiji]

We have previously talked about doing rock for a club meeting. How many people are interested?

Mike

 

[mflamb]

I'm game and I'll be there.

 

[WarDaddy]

Sweet this thing is taking off

 

[adnup]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9473880#post9473880 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mflamb
I cured mine in the swimming pool for 8 weeks.

Really? in the pool with the chlorine? Is that safe...well I guess I wash my filter socks in chlorine.

I made a bunch last summer. I have some in one of my tanks its coloring up nice. The rest is still in the Weeki Wachi river. I posted on that DIY thread around June, it shows what I used to make them.

I'd be interested in going to Land o lakes and making some more...

When are we talking?

 

[mflamb]

I've had some small pieces in a 5 gallon bucket for about 2 months after the 8 weeks pool time, and have been testing for chlorine and phosphates. No problems.

 

[chrismhaase]

Hey I want to make some also. WarDaddy, I think it was you and I who were originally talking about doing this. I am new to the Tampa area. Whats the deal about the meeting on Saturday? None the less, I WANT TO MAKE ROCK