"Portland Cement Type II"

[ktkreegs]

I want to try and make my own rocks. I have a long time before my tank gets going and it seems like it would be a fun project, and I also have time to wait for the rocks to cure.

"Portland Cement Type II" is what I've been told to use. I've looked for this cement at both H.Depot and Lowes in Fairlawn, both stores looked at me like I was crazy, anyone know where I can find this?

Anyone in the local area ever try making their own rocks? Care to show some pictures? Techniques?

Thanks ~ kevin

 

[ReefWidowed]

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=81523-286-112447&lpage=none


That is what you are looking for, chances are, the cashier/whomever only knows it as its brand name "Quikrete" both stores should carry the type 2, though only Lowes has it easily find-able on their website. It's in the building materials section. Make sure it says type II on the bag. It is the same color/style bag as type 1. If neither of them have it on hand, it can be special ordered and only takes a few days to get there.

HTH
Jennifer

 

[Kreeger1]

Does anyone know if that can be used as substrate also ?
Not having any luck finding Kolorscape play sand this time of year
erik

 

[ktkreegs]

Thanks for the link. I clicked on every store in Northeast Ohio, and they all say:

Currently this item is not sold at Lowe's Of Fairlawn, OH. Change your store to check another Lowe's in your area.

I will try the customer service, I was hoping to try this on Saturday. Looks like I'll have to wait another week.

Anyone try this in the cleveland area?

 

[crazyseany]

kreeger I doubt if you can use instead of sand.... won't it form concrete rock? I was reading on making diy liverock and sounds like it would be fun to try.
need to do more research though...lol

sean

 

[ReefWidowed]

The quickrete sand has A LOT of silica in it

 

[crazyseany]

oops is the portland just the sand....
sorry....
told you I needed to read more lol

sean

 

[ktkreegs]

Would you suggest a different type of cement?

 

[Kreeger1]

The cement is good, the sand has silica in it.
I need to find alot of substrate for cheap. hmmmmmm

 

[ReefWidowed]

kreegs, sending you a pm

 

[Kreeger1]

which kreegs lol

 

[ReefWidowed]

lol, good call....you

 

[USAquatics]

Kreeger1, On the CORA site FormanBob is trying to unload about 200#s of live sand. I don't know if the drive is worth the savings or not.

 

[CleveYank]

go to a jobber crete supplier

go to a jobber crete supplier

Forget the quickcrete at all costs. IT's JUNK! Even for liverock mfg it's not going to be as strong.


Go to Bruder's, they sell to masons, (not the funny symbol non-denominational Ben Franklin kind) the brick laying kind.

They also have white portland. You will need to cut it with sand. For an exact mix you will need roughly 300#'s of sand to 1 80# bag of Portland for a regular 6 sack mix I believe. If bag is less than 80# portland you may have to cut down on the sand proportionately. All things being equal in volume the stuff from them will be much stronger than any quickcrete product except the 5000plus PSI stuff which you do not want. Since most liverock mfg has sand/shells and irregular shapes using junk cement may render rock that ends up weak in an area you may not want. If building liverock masterpeice you don't want 30 or 40#'s falling into the front pane of glass because of a failure.

Just my buck and a quarter on concrete. That is if I were using it for anything other than buying it and tossing the fresh bags from Blowes or the DEEPOT into the dumpster.

----Added after thought, sorry just saw you were in Akron. I'm sure there is a masonary supplier out there that sells to tradesman that will sell to the public. Bruder's may be a bit of a drive for you. But you get the idea.