itstheantitang
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Sorry, disregard this post.
The Ultimate DIY Rocks!
- Thread starter Travis L. Stevens
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Insane Reefer
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You can get crushed "oyster shell" at most feed stores - comes in a 50lbs bag and runs around $8. That is what it is, it is dusty and looks like gravel "chat".
"Carib-Sea" and a couple others sell crushed shell/coral - a very small bag can run $10-20.
You can try posting for used saltwater substrate (crushed shell or coral) at your LFS - most stores have a BB you can sell things on, and offer a price per pound you are willing to pay (if you are). Might find someone who has some they don't want anymore...
"Carib-Sea" and a couple others sell crushed shell/coral - a very small bag can run $10-20.
You can try posting for used saltwater substrate (crushed shell or coral) at your LFS - most stores have a BB you can sell things on, and offer a price per pound you are willing to pay (if you are). Might find someone who has some they don't want anymore...
Barto
Alleged Lounge Moron
I R
Yes, I'll have the skimmer box that will overflow into sump in place before I start curing, I may not run the sump yet, just direct to a drain, with the dripper adding new water into tank.
Maybe not the most exciting way to cure, but it will give me time to get a feel for how to set up the tank.
Yes, I'll have the skimmer box that will overflow into sump in place before I start curing, I may not run the sump yet, just direct to a drain, with the dripper adding new water into tank.
Maybe not the most exciting way to cure, but it will give me time to get a feel for how to set up the tank.
Insane Reefer
New member
Yeah- leaving it in a kiddy pool or handy tub for at least 2 weeks is the best solution. Pump air and water through the rock and change water daily, if possible. Then when you notice the scum is gone, then move it indoors.
The scum is made up largely of calcium and lime, I think, and is a bugger to clean off the glass.
Some of the folks who have been doing this for a while say that you can add a rock or two to a living system without too much trouble, but even a dead system has a Lot of glass to try to clean, lol...
The scum is made up largely of calcium and lime, I think, and is a bugger to clean off the glass.
Some of the folks who have been doing this for a while say that you can add a rock or two to a living system without too much trouble, but even a dead system has a Lot of glass to try to clean, lol...
captbunzo
Premium Member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7434959#post7434959 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Travis L. Stevens
PS - Does anyone know where and how much a small cement mixer is?
In case you really wanted to know, my Lowes has small cement mixers for sale for $250.
Anyhow, I have picked up my salt (blue bag stuff) and cement and am ready to make some rock!
Insane Reefer
New member
I found Solar Salt (all the same thing) at my local grocery store for $3.38 - more than a dollar cheaper (for those who are Really cheap). The pellets seem to all be made with Potasium Chloride, which I don't think would be good (could be wrong though).
Using some grey portland I had, and some crushed "shingle" from a friend who just got back from FL., I made a batch of 1.5parts cement, 2parts salt, .5part sand & 1part shingle. Just enough for 1 good sized rock - I estimate it at around 5-7lbs if this were a regular live rock - about the size of a cereal bowl. Added an animal balloon for caves and now we wait, lol
Travis? How long did "batch 3" take to start to set? How long until your larger pieces could be handled?
I need structural pieces (tables), so am trying this stiffer mix - see if it can hold some weight. I am very excited about this stuff - can't wait to see results!
Oh, and you can rent a cement mixer at most tool/equipment rental places for like $25 a day...
Using some grey portland I had, and some crushed "shingle" from a friend who just got back from FL., I made a batch of 1.5parts cement, 2parts salt, .5part sand & 1part shingle. Just enough for 1 good sized rock - I estimate it at around 5-7lbs if this were a regular live rock - about the size of a cereal bowl. Added an animal balloon for caves and now we wait, lol
Travis? How long did "batch 3" take to start to set? How long until your larger pieces could be handled?
I need structural pieces (tables), so am trying this stiffer mix - see if it can hold some weight. I am very excited about this stuff - can't wait to see results!
Oh, and you can rent a cement mixer at most tool/equipment rental places for like $25 a day...
Travis L. Stevens
New member
The reason why I stated that is it has a tendency to crack off the edges that didn't adhere very well to the bulk of the rock. And once the rock salt is gone, the outside crumbles a little because when you handle the rock, the thin vertical pieces break off. It was only slightly easier to bust it in half than the real thing. It took me a good 5 HARD whacks with a 5lb sledge to get it to crack in half.
Travis L. Stevens
New member
No, but you can get crushed oyster shell from an agricultural store such as Atwoods. It's usually found in the chicken feed area.
Travis L. Stevens
New member
I'm sure this answer is a little late, but 24 hours and you can toss it in the tub. I usually wait about 48 hours. Half because I would rather make sure it's really done and Half because I'm too lazy after work to pick it up off the porch.
Anyways, handling can be done carefully within a few hours, rougher handling in about 12, and full handling in 24 hours. Baking only takes a few hours and you can toss it in water.
Insane Reefer
New member
Thanks for the reply Travis.
I wonder how you got the "silly putty" consistancy - I tried 3 times on very small batches to match your results of a super smooth mix, and failed. Could be that I using some leftover concrete mix that I've sifted the rock out of (this was just a test), and not cement.
How long did you stir the stuff for?
I wonder how you got the "silly putty" consistancy - I tried 3 times on very small batches to match your results of a super smooth mix, and failed. Could be that I using some leftover concrete mix that I've sifted the rock out of (this was just a test), and not cement.
How long did you stir the stuff for?
Travis L. Stevens
New member
It varies how bad I screw up adding cement/water. It doesn't take much water/cement to change the consistency of the mixture considerably. I wished I could give a definite answer, but it's all trial and error, my friend. Sorry.
Barto
Alleged Lounge Moron
Concrete mix with the rocks sifted out, will still most likely have a large amount of sand in it, depending on the original ratios of cement to sand to rock. (1/3/1, or something like that)
I'm heading to HD to pick up a sack of salt & cement to try my rock making today.
Too much rain to take the boat out on the lake
I'm heading to HD to pick up a sack of salt & cement to try my rock making today.
Too much rain to take the boat out on the lake
Travis L. Stevens
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7457958#post7457958 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BigSkyBart
Concrete mix with the rocks sifted out, will still most likely have a large amount of sand in it, depending on the original ratios of cement to sand to rock. (1/3/1, or something like that)
I'm heading to HD to pick up a sack of salt & cement to try my rock making today.
Too much rain to take the boat out on the lake
Got a lake near ya, huh? That would be an awesome place to cure it if you could find a pollutant free area
Barto
Alleged Lounge Moron
Hmmmm, never really thought about it. I live near Canyon Ferry Lake, formed by the 2nd dam on the Missouri river, about 30 miles from the headwaters. World class trout (fly) fishing, I'll assume that pollutants are pretty much a non issue
I'll see if I can figure a place to stash a few milk crates out of sight.
Great idea, THANKS!
Travis L. Stevens
New member
Now you owe me a personally guided trout fly fishing trip!
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