The Ultimate DIY Rocks!

[hangles]

thanks Travis
Its fresh water alge. do you think if i cured it in saltwater for a few daYs i would get a better look at what the PH IS ?

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

I would do what you could to take off the algae. Once you switch it to a saltwater tank, it would be biomass that would eventually break down. I really don't see why people are suggestion to soak it in saltwater before adding it to their tank. The pH of saltwater is going to be so high that it won't allow any extra "kuring" to take place. Instead, the rock just sits there and you waste a bunch of saltwater. The reason why the pH comes out of the rock is because the freshwater actually helps dissolve the limestone (Calcium Bicarbonate) in the mixture down to Calcium and Carbonate. Once it is all broken down to a safe level and placed into saltwater, it won't dissolve any more.

 

[hangles]

Well that makes sense that the ph of salt water is already high. I did not think of it in that way. thanks! i will rinse off the alge and change the water. and continue to watch the PH. would 8.2 to 8.4 be alright to add to my tank?

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

In general, it's fine. It really depends on how much is being added to a tank. A few small rocks that are at 8.8 pH probablywon't hurt anything, but adding 50% of the rock work when it's at 8.5 might not be a good idea.

 

[hangles]

thank for answering so quickly Travis. I have 3 rocks with legs for the base about 12'' across i would like to put in the tank to get the coral frags i have off the sand bed. the tank has been running sense the first of march. and the local RC people i have met are great. they keep giving me corals LOL! and i dont even have rock to place them on :lol: thanks for the info so far i'm sure i will have more questions. See Ya !

 

[Ursus]

Would curing them in a pond work? There is a pond behind my apartment and I think it would work a lot better than my once a day water change... anyone think of any issues I could run into?

 

[Ursus]

Also, I made my first batch of rock with a 3:1 salt to cement ratio, but I think that it might have been too much salt. Is it normal for it to crumble on the outsides once the salt is dissolved? Im gonna make some more today, gonna try a 2:1 ratio instead.

 

[hangles]

early on in the thread they talk about curing in streams and ponds. so it can be done that way.

 

[Ursus]

Yeah, I knew they had mentioned streams, but I wasn't sure about ponds. Now if I can only find somewhere to place them that no one will find...

 

[hangles]

yes that could be a problem. I was thinking maby milk crates to put the rock in and to keep them out of the mud !

 

[Ursus]

That would work. My concern is that with this 100+ degree heat wave we're having here, the ponds water level will drop so I think I will be wading out to the deepest section.

 

[hangles]

you could put it over where the pond drains out. that way you have your running water?

 

[Barto]

Mine are in milkcrates in a stream, I went to check them this weekend, they were gone.
The stream runs through a friend of mine's ranch.
My friends sons, untied the rope that secured the crates from washing downstream, and walked them upstream a hundred yards and retied them. Knowing full well I would head downstream on a search. They were wrong, I found tracks at the tree where the knot used to be, and figured it out pretty quickly from there. dirty little buggers :lol:

 

[hangles]

Hey i just saw you are from Boise. GARF is out there. are they near you ?

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7779763#post7779763 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ursus
Also, I made my first batch of rock with a 3:1 salt to cement ratio, but I think that it might have been too much salt. Is it normal for it to crumble on the outsides once the salt is dissolved? Im gonna make some more today, gonna try a 2:1 ratio instead.

It depends on how much. With what you are explaining, it's normal. The outer bit is too thin to hold much pressure. Little shards will come off. As they come off, they make unique impressions from where the salt once was.

 

[Ursus]

Today as i was putting my rocks in the pond, I noticed that now that I rubbed or broke off all the loose bits, the rocks no longer flake. Might try a little less salt tonight just to see the difference, but I think my first rocks should be fine.

And yes, GARF is near me though I have never gone there. I thought about it, but I've been pretty busy lately. Recently found a reef club out here but my timing on these things seems to be horrible as the club seems to evaporate come summer as everyone is off doing other things. I will probably join them in the fall though.

 

[Insane Reefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7779340#post7779340 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Travis L. Stevens
...I really don't see why people are suggestion to soak it in saltwater before adding it to their tank.

It is recommended because freshwater and marine have different properties - just becuase rock tests ok pH wise in fresh does not mean it is in the right level for marine - thus you soak for a minimum of 3 days in salt to make a TRUE reading - nothing more, no extra kuring, just see what the pH registers in saltwater...

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7780369#post7780369 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Insane Reefer
It is recommended because freshwater and marine have different properties - just becuase rock tests ok pH wise in fresh does not mean it is in the right level for marine - thus you soak for a minimum of 3 days in salt to make a TRUE reading - nothing more, no extra kuring, just see what the pH registers in saltwater...

Interesting, I've never had a problem with anything changing between freshwater and saltwater.

 

[Abalone joe]

I've read posts on on other threads sdaying salt water can actually cause a pH spike.

 

[arconom]

At lowes they carry a Type I/II cement. I remember reading most use type II whats the difference?