Thanks.....The ratio I used was 2-1 rock salt and grey Portland type I. I looked for white but, I could not find any local. I shaped the bottom with a sand mold so they wouldn't be flat. They turned out pretty good. They are alot lighter than I thought they would be, the water runs right through them.
The Ultimate DIY Rocks!
- Thread starter Travis L. Stevens
- Start date
- Status
Travis L. Stevens
New member
Looks great. Just like mine. One concern that I have from many aquarists that have tried this is that some people have it fall apart while others have it strong enough to stand on. So, what are you experiencing? *Ignore the crumbs that come off the outside and the edges of the rock.
The outside is a little brittle because of all the larger sized rock salt I used. The center seems to be pretty strong. I don't think it will crumble like some have said theirs did. I did let mine cure for at least a week or so in the sun. The next batch I am going to try a 1:1 salt to cement ratio to see if that makes a difference.
Travis L. Stevens
New member
I know that you weren't directing the question towards me, but there would be no way you would see me use rock salt in frag PLUGS. I have used them in frag DISKS though. They were pretty nice as disks. I'll try to get a picture of mine for you later.
Travis L. Stevens
New member
Ya, it would have been too porous for it. The stem would break off very easily. Which could be good in the correct scenario, though.
speckled trout
New member
I made some zoa frag sheets once. I took some crushed coral(not the finely crushed) and mixed in Portland cement to create fairly thin sheets that I could grow my zoas on. Then I could easily frag whatever size mat of the colony that I wanted with some sharp shears. The cut pieces can then be glued to live rock where they should quickly spread. It works great.
To do this, mix up your aragonite and spread it 3 or 4mm in thickness across a sheet of Saran Wrap or similar product. The plastic will create a "mold release" once the cement hardens.
Actually, these would work for other types of encrusting or mat building colonies (star polyps, some types of montipora, etc).
To do this, mix up your aragonite and spread it 3 or 4mm in thickness across a sheet of Saran Wrap or similar product. The plastic will create a "mold release" once the cement hardens.
Actually, these would work for other types of encrusting or mat building colonies (star polyps, some types of montipora, etc).
I have been flushing my rocks for a week now. Most of the outer salt is gone and the rocks are porous. I also checked the water's pH and it was 11.3 using a YSI pH meter that we use in the field so it was accurate.
The water still feels slimey like bleach but after the first WC it felt like liquid soap. I wonder what it was then? Sorry this was not more exciting.
The water still feels slimey like bleach but after the first WC it felt like liquid soap. I wonder what it was then? Sorry this was not more exciting.
Ehgemus
New member
I don't have pictures because they are not much to look at. 12 or them are cement and rock salt and I made them with a egg container, I just pured the cement in the egg container and let them dry. and I have about 20 that I just used cement and patted them out on a piece of wood and let them dry, They are about 3/8" thick and 1"-2" in dia.
xinumaster
reef addict
What salt rock do you guys used? Is this the same one we all use for water softer?
xinumaster
reef addict
Yes you can infact there's a company in tampa the pick up a barge of rocks from indonesia and dumped it in the sea to cure for a year before selling. But of course they lease that portion of the ocean from the state.
cdentii1
New member
I may have missed this here somewhere but what about lava rock and skeleton corals with live rock would the lava be reef safe and turn live also would the skeleton coral turn live? the reason I am asking is that I have A 125 that I am going to be setting up soon and really dont want to spend $1000's on live rock and already have the lave rock (that has been in both fresh and salt water FO for years) as well as skeleton coral.
- Status
