Insane Reefer
New member
LOL!
The "edible" peanuts are shaped like cheezy-poofs (sweet!), and a bland vanilla color - not "s" shaped...
The Ultimate DIY Rocks!
- Thread starter Travis L. Stevens
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LOL!
The "edible" peanuts are shaped like cheezy-poofs (sweet!), and a bland vanilla color - not "s" shaped...
Insane Reefer
New member
At the risk of sounding stupid (or more so anyway), what would be the best way to do this? Best as in "easiest" & "cheapest"...
I have an awesome Souffle Whisk...
Go steal Scuba Steve's air hose to the treasure chest in your little brother's fresh water tank hehe
Any cheap bubble maker will do, Academy, Petsmart etc has them for about $15, if you dont have one laying around the house. If you use a airstone make sure you clean it after you use it so the stone dont get clogged up. It should always have a positive flow from the stone, so the cement should be blowing away from the stone.
I have one from when I go fishing to keep the bait alive when in a 5 gal bucket, thats what Im planning on using.
Any cheap bubble maker will do, Academy, Petsmart etc has them for about $15, if you dont have one laying around the house. If you use a airstone make sure you clean it after you use it so the stone dont get clogged up. It should always have a positive flow from the stone, so the cement should be blowing away from the stone.
I have one from when I go fishing to keep the bait alive when in a 5 gal bucket, thats what Im planning on using.
Insane Reefer
New member
I'm not sure I have a air pump that will blow that hard - this stuff is pretty thick after it's all mixed up, but will surely give it a try - Thanks!
captbunzo
Premium Member
Maybe the packing peanuts may be good for using when molding the cement to leave small holes in the rock. I think if you just placed them in the cement as you molded it, they'd hold up longer. I am going to have to try this.
This sounds like a fun way to make some nice SMALL holes...
This sounds like a fun way to make some nice SMALL holes...
Insane Reefer
New member
As Promised - the Pic's
As Promised - the Pic's
Panel Shot
Closer Panel Shot
Nessy - the hollow shell
See circled hammer for scale...
Another shot
My test rocks - the "Solid" is completely made of white cement, the "Painted" was painted with white cement paste after the salt released
My Recipe: cement, sand, salt and CC, a 1.5/1/2/1.5 mix...
As Promised - the Pic's
Panel Shot
Closer Panel Shot
Nessy - the hollow shell
See circled hammer for scale...
Another shot
My test rocks - the "Solid" is completely made of white cement, the "Painted" was painted with white cement paste after the salt released
My Recipe: cement, sand, salt and CC, a 1.5/1/2/1.5 mix...
Insane Reefer
New member
Nori sheets, misted with water, wadded up and baked until dry and hard, work really well as a hole maker, and if you do it right, it will have that bladed sort of look (the cement) that certain types of LR have...
Vegetable Cellulose capsules, that you buy empty in bulk, work rather well too.
Both methods add to the cost though, and many are doing this to save money...
Vegetable Cellulose capsules, that you buy empty in bulk, work rather well too.
Both methods add to the cost though, and many are doing this to save money...
mmm, encasing broccoli or lettuce heads in concrete would make interesting pocci and cap like forms. mmm, concrete tempura. what about mixing mashed potatoes or tapioca balls. all this organic material might even feed the bacteria in the rock creating co2 byproducts facilitating faster internal curing.... you could even market it as organic live rock
You would need to watch how cold it made the mix, if to cold then it will ruin the mix. We generally will cancel pours if the air temp is 40 degrees and falling. So if the ice was mixed in in small amounts it might work, just remember to make it a dry mix (not to wet) so when the ice melted it would not mess up the cement to water ratio.
Good idea overall.
Im afraid one day someone is gonna post about using Jello in the mix hehe
Good idea overall.
Im afraid one day someone is gonna post about using Jello in the mix hehe
tongareefer
New member
sweet thread peeps!!
does anyone have pics of this DIY rock in their tanks?
does anyone have pics of this DIY rock in their tanks?
Barto
Alleged Lounge Moron
IR,
Great looking rocks, I hope to improve my artistry with practice.
I think I need to do less forming/shaping with my hands and allow the mold to do more of the final shaping.
I used some silica in part of the batch, I wasn't happy with the texture and final result.
Here is a cave from batch 3. No sand used in this one.
For a big batch you could use this...
Great looking rocks, I hope to improve my artistry with practice.
I think I need to do less forming/shaping with my hands and allow the mold to do more of the final shaping.
I used some silica in part of the batch, I wasn't happy with the texture and final result.
Here is a cave from batch 3. No sand used in this one.
For a big batch you could use this...
WIJAONKA
New member
A question about organics (Vegetables, Rice, Pasta, Jello, Etc): Does anyone know if these materials would create TOO much bacteria? I used pasta in my first batch and it basically just made a mess. I know there are still noodles 'curing' out of the rocks, but I'm also pretty sure there are noodle too deeply embedded to see. Will these invisible noodles have an adverse effect in the long run? If so, how about using other veggies, etc?
Thanks,
W
Thanks,
W
Insane Reefer
New member
Thanks BSB, but really, I think all it is is the "Plop & Poke" method, lol. Never pack the cement in, plop it in randomly, and use your mould material in unusual places to create realistic-ish crannies by laying "stripes" of the mould stuff. Use a pointy stick to work other holes and shapes into it as you work, particularly working the mould stuff into surface area in bumps and lumps and creases. You will end up with a bit more crumble, but using a tool like hardwood dowel, or hammer handle, you can brush the likeliest crumble stuff off.
As far as ice goes, anyone who hasn't, might want to read this over, I found it interesting.
Veggies and the like could be problematic. I don't think there is such a thing as too much aquarium bacteria, but the wrong kinds can be introduced or gasses from deep pockets of rotting veggie could become problems. I don't think any of us have enough expertise to say really what will happen with things like broccoli heads being used and what sorts of bacteria/trouble would occur from it rotting out of the rock. Maybe something like frozen peas or softened lentils would work better, and exit the rock quicker or I'd be more inclined to find kids play sets that have veggie heads in them for something like that.
I mentioned veggie cellulose caps and nori earilier in the thread, and these are things we throw into our tank on a regular basis anyway, and both worked really well, releasing quickly.
Floating fish pellets could be another idea, hard enough to withstand stirring, harmless in a curing reef tank.
I've never found anyone who actually used Jello, but I'd be real leery of it. You'd have to make something harder than Jello Shots, and from cooking experience, I'd think you'd almost have to boil the rock to get the jello out/off, and it might put a coat of "ick!" over the rock that you'd never get off.
Pastas have proven a real hit and miss. First, the pasta needs to be cooked so it doesn't crack the rocks as it abosorbs the water in the cement - BUT - you have to cook the pasta "Hard" - an "Al Dente" that sticks and crunches in your teeth, something you wouldn't want to eat. Spiral pasta works well for this I hear. But starchy stuff can cloud the water if it hasn't completely rotted out.
Someone mentioned sponge, and I think this might be an interesting idea. Whether you used sea sponge or kitchen sponge, I think there would be no real difference - except slowly, the sea sponge would rot away; I don't think the synthetic will rot, but I could be wrong. Added benefit would be all those tiny cells for bacteria to live in, encased in the rock. I'd definitly use sea sponge as synthetics usually have a few chemicals they are soaked in before packaging.
Anyway, it is starting to storm, I need to shut down.
As far as ice goes, anyone who hasn't, might want to read this over, I found it interesting.
Veggies and the like could be problematic. I don't think there is such a thing as too much aquarium bacteria, but the wrong kinds can be introduced or gasses from deep pockets of rotting veggie could become problems. I don't think any of us have enough expertise to say really what will happen with things like broccoli heads being used and what sorts of bacteria/trouble would occur from it rotting out of the rock. Maybe something like frozen peas or softened lentils would work better, and exit the rock quicker or I'd be more inclined to find kids play sets that have veggie heads in them for something like that.
I mentioned veggie cellulose caps and nori earilier in the thread, and these are things we throw into our tank on a regular basis anyway, and both worked really well, releasing quickly.
Floating fish pellets could be another idea, hard enough to withstand stirring, harmless in a curing reef tank.
I've never found anyone who actually used Jello, but I'd be real leery of it. You'd have to make something harder than Jello Shots, and from cooking experience, I'd think you'd almost have to boil the rock to get the jello out/off, and it might put a coat of "ick!" over the rock that you'd never get off.
Pastas have proven a real hit and miss. First, the pasta needs to be cooked so it doesn't crack the rocks as it abosorbs the water in the cement - BUT - you have to cook the pasta "Hard" - an "Al Dente" that sticks and crunches in your teeth, something you wouldn't want to eat. Spiral pasta works well for this I hear. But starchy stuff can cloud the water if it hasn't completely rotted out.
Someone mentioned sponge, and I think this might be an interesting idea. Whether you used sea sponge or kitchen sponge, I think there would be no real difference - except slowly, the sea sponge would rot away; I don't think the synthetic will rot, but I could be wrong. Added benefit would be all those tiny cells for bacteria to live in, encased in the rock. I'd definitly use sea sponge as synthetics usually have a few chemicals they are soaked in before packaging.
Anyway, it is starting to storm, I need to shut down.
Just an idea here, but has anyone ever tried to use a 10 or 20 gal tank with a heater set at it's highest, and auto topoff selinoid.
Idea is this...... Cement cures better with heat. The higher the heat the higher the evaporation rate. The top off water will help keep the water fresh at all times (in a mannor of speaking). When water evaporates, the ph also goes with it.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but it does kind of make scense.
Idea is this...... Cement cures better with heat. The higher the heat the higher the evaporation rate. The top off water will help keep the water fresh at all times (in a mannor of speaking). When water evaporates, the ph also goes with it.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but it does kind of make scense.
Chasmodes
Well-known member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7536366#post7536366 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Insane Reefer
...but the wrong kinds can be introduced or gasses from deep pockets of rotting veggie could become problems. I don't think any of us have enough expertise to say really what will happen with things like broccoli heads being used...
Yeah, don't use beans either or nobody will want to sit around and watch yer tank:lol:
By the way, nice panels IR!
I'm definitely going to take y'all's advice. My plan will be to build two large corner pieces, wide at the base and sloping upward, perhaps inserting horizontal pvc pipe supports for a future peg in hole preformed shelf like structures (created similarly) and fit them together in a puzzle like format along with back wall panels similar to IR's. Then, create a couple island like structures using shapes like your pics show with caves, etc. This is a fascinating thread. One of the things that really interests me in this hobby is the artistic side of it, beginning with projects like this and ending with livestock placement and inventory. It's a true art form!
Y'all keep up the great posts and ideas!!!!!!!! I love this site, have gained much info so far, and will upgrade soon (when I free up some cash flow, LOL, so that wifey doesn't know)! It's well worth it.
those talking about using organic substances to form rocks need to worry about nitrates more than bacteria. the organic materials don't create bacteria, bacteria feed off those materials and the colonies grow.
the problem is that if your rock is saturated in what might as well be detrius, that detrius will rot over time and just become a nitrate and phosphate source as it rots and breaks down.
salt just disolves and is usually gone before you put the rock in your tank, but food rots. the larger the food, the more it rots and the more time it takes to rot.
the problem is that if your rock is saturated in what might as well be detrius, that detrius will rot over time and just become a nitrate and phosphate source as it rots and breaks down.
salt just disolves and is usually gone before you put the rock in your tank, but food rots. the larger the food, the more it rots and the more time it takes to rot.
redvipe2010
In Memoriam
I found several receipes for play dough and clay. I was thinking if you shaped these like a worm or a snake, and formed the cement around them leaving two openings for it to desolve during the curing process. Could make some nice caves. Any thoughts on this?
http://www.teachnet.com/lesson/art/playdough061699.html
http://www.teachnet.com/lesson/art/playdough061699.html
Insane Reefer
New member
I knew there was something I was missing, but try as I might, couldn't peg it. It was Saturday and my mind was elsewhere, lol.
Nitrates. Very good point - the more that has to rot, the more that might Not rot and go into your tank, which is what I was trying to say, sort of.
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