SilverSpring MD CRUSHED OYSTER SHELL?
- Thread starter cgk29
- Start date
EdKruzel
Premium Member
I always use crushed shell and aragonite sand from the LFS for making rocks.
For larger pieces I use a frame made from PVC, eggcrate, vinyl screen and balloons (for caves).
Make your design/frame and when mixing the portland cement, mix it kind of thick.
Pack it around your frame and over the balloon (again if you wish to have a cave) and then shape with a wooden stick from a craft store.
Be creative and make crevices and small holes for fauna. When the mold is pretty much dry to the touch, pop the balloon and discard it.
After a few days to ensure it has thoroughly dried it will be time to cure the cement.
You can do it by placing it in a large container of fresh water with a powerhead and changing out the water every few days or place it in a stream or river for about 4-6wks.
Ed
For larger pieces I use a frame made from PVC, eggcrate, vinyl screen and balloons (for caves).
Make your design/frame and when mixing the portland cement, mix it kind of thick.
Pack it around your frame and over the balloon (again if you wish to have a cave) and then shape with a wooden stick from a craft store.
Be creative and make crevices and small holes for fauna. When the mold is pretty much dry to the touch, pop the balloon and discard it.
After a few days to ensure it has thoroughly dried it will be time to cure the cement.
You can do it by placing it in a large container of fresh water with a powerhead and changing out the water every few days or place it in a stream or river for about 4-6wks.
Ed
Pandora
Premium Member
cgk, I don't have a clue where you would find oyster shell, but like Ed said, you can use crushed aragonite/crushed coral, and I thought I would pipe in because we live in the same city. Have you tried Tropical Fish Lagoon? Also if you are willing to go further, there is a place about 1/2 an hour around the beltway called Roozen's Nursery in Allentown, MD. They are both a large nursery and a SW livestock supplier, so they might know what you are talking about; also they have a lot of good stuff, might interest you to take a look.
I can't image that a feed store would be too far for you (ok, maybe a quick road trip to the "country"). Crushed oyster shell should be available just about any place that sells chicken feed - it is required when the laying hens are 2+ years old, as the egg shells get too thin if the hens don't get a calcium supplement. A 50 lb bag should be pretty cheap - less than $15, I'd think.
