Rock Pillar Project

If we can get some thorite that wont cost an arm and a leg thats what i will do. Thorite is what i originally wanted so maybe it will happen.
 
hmmm what was the other stuff.... like quickcrete wall something? Whatever it is... I would think this would be the most common to find. Surely its not that expensive. or is it?
 
I'm just setting up my 90 and have a huge piece of live rock that I could definitely use as a base to stack on top of. Where are you guys getting the acrylic rods? I know it was posted somewhere, but I can't find it.

I'd also be interested in a small amount of this thorite business to play around with if/when you get it. I don't think I can use much and I don't have anywhere to store any amount of it (the fish tank closet has already spilled into multiple closet :)) but if anyone has a bit left over, let me know.
 
Brian I ordered 4=36" black acrylic rods off of ebay I could not find any black acrylic rods locally
 
Okay now I am confused, I thought if the cement was a hydralic cured cement it would leach and raise your ph. I looked up the MSDS ln 3 products. 1)Thorite General Purpose http://buildsite.com/dbderived-f/thoro/derived_files/derived225051.pdf
2)Quickrete Quickwall http://www.quikrete.com/PDFs/MSDS-MortarsStuccosThinSet.pdf
3)Dam-it http://www.euclidchemical.com/fileshare/ProductFiles/msds/083_60_U.pdf

All of these contain portland cement. So my question is this Are they all Hydrualic curing cements? If so what makes one safe and not the other?
 
I was looking at the one link that Jack (I think) posted of Sanjay's monster tank with the really cool pillars. First off, it's amazing and I'm green with envy in all aspects. Secondly, I realized he's a professor at Penn State. It just so happens that Brian and I will be heading back up to our alma mater next weekend...maybe we can track him down and sneak a peek at the tank? I'm always up for drooling over someone else's tank... Does anyone know if he's on RC?
 
CKreef. I asked the same question earlier in the thread. I was told that Thorite Rapid Vertical does not require a cureing time.
 
I am almost positive that the thorite does not require the cureing time. The other 2 i really dont know. If we can get some Thorite Rapid Vertical Im in!! Just let me know what I owe.
 
Anyone have a drill we can use that will fit a 3/4" bit?? A bit that size wont fit in my little drill.
 
Okay. I've found some more info re: making these things, and on the Thorite Rapid Vertical.

First -- here is a quote from Sanjay on Thorite Rapid Vertical:
<a href=http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=8251852#post8251852 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sanjay
Like all cement it is alkaline and will have a high ph, but it does not seem to have a large ph raising effect since you are not using large quantities of it. In the past I have drained a tank, used thorite to assemble the rocks, and added back the fish/coral the same day and things were fine.
Click to expand...
It sounds like it will work fine for this project. I hope to have more info on a possible local source later today.

Second -- Sanjay and others report problems with breaking rock when drilling with larger bits (Sanjay was trying to use a 5/8" -- so a 3/4" may be too big). Others report that it was much easier and worked fine to use 1/4" or 1/2" rods and bits for this type of project. Here is a post within one of Sanjay's threads on RC about is 500 gallon build:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=8280891#post8280891

If you scroll up and down that page, there are some good pics and some good info.

From what I have read, the cure time on the rapid vertical is 6 hours. Carl Swaby (the 150 gallon reef at www.reefvideos.com) used it on his tank and says something similar.
 
I seen some 5/16'' rods on Ebay and bought them. They should be here in about a week or so. It is about 60 feet of them in 3 foot lengths. I know my uncle has a large two handed drill that will hold large bits. But I have the same concern about the rock busting up while using the bigger bits.

Robert
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9188534#post9188534 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mamagoose45
I was looking at the one link that Jack (I think) posted of Sanjay's monster tank with the really cool pillars. First off, it's amazing and I'm green with envy in all aspects. Secondly, I realized he's a professor at Penn State. It just so happens that Brian and I will be heading back up to our alma mater next weekend...maybe we can track him down and sneak a peek at the tank? I'm always up for drooling over someone else's tank... Does anyone know if he's on RC?
Click to expand...

Yes he is! He is the lighting guru for PAR and other things -- mostly Metal Halide. He has a thread stickied at the top of the equipment and lighting forum.

It would be cool to be able to see his tank! I think there are some tanks he maintains at Penn State that are pretty nice as well.
 
In the HUB (Student Union Center) there are some super nice, pretty big in-wall tanks that were class gifts. I don't know if he's responsible for them, but if so, he's doing a pretty good job! They get plenty of "have to stop and stare" moments throughout the day.

I PMed him in hopes that he says "Sure, stop on over and see the tanks!" but we'll see....
 
Sorry, but i dont understand why you guys want to use the rods, wouldnt it be easier to thorite the rocks together?
 
The rods were an idea to stablize the rock while the thorite dried and would give a lot of strength to the structure if the thorite cracks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
I want to build a 90 Gallon Tank. I'm New New.
Replies
4
Views
613
albano
albano
JCOLE
Does anyone have any established sand/rock they can spare?
Replies
5
Views
562
Reefing102
Reefing102
JCOLE
DIY Rocks for new aquascape
4 5 6
Replies
105
Views
8K
JCOLE
JCOLE
Kremis
Red sea 425 part out
Replies
0
Views
356
Kremis
Kremis
T
Where to get live rock - not just bare cured rock?
2
Replies
21
Views
2K
scottysnowmass
S
Back
Top