The Ultimate DIY Rocks!

[Travis L. Stevens]

Yes, those are acceptable base rock sources. It's kind of a little off topic though. I would be careful using lava rock. As you know, lava is molten rocks. And in those rocks are minerals and metals. You don't know what the lava rock has in them. Things from arsenic to copper to silicates. But, you might be lucky and have great success. Essentially, rock in the ocean is just ancient coral skeletons anyways. So, yes coral skeletons are definitely fine to use.

 

[Covey]

Hey Travis,
One of the selling point of the salty rock receipe is the fact that the rock it pourus inside. Theory being that that pores will get colonizied by anaerobic bateria after a while.

Since your rock have been running longer than anyones I was wondering if in the name of science you could take one of your rocks out of the tank and crack it in half to see if you are getting the black hydrogen sulfide ring in the interior of the rock.

That would prove the rock is working on a anaerobic level.

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8306294#post8306294 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Covey
Hey Travis,
One of the selling point of the salty rock receipe is the fact that the rock it pourus inside. Theory being that that pores will get colonizied by anaerobic bateria after a while.

Since your rock have been running longer than anyones I was wondering if in the name of science you could take one of your rocks out of the tank and crack it in half to see if you are getting the black hydrogen sulfide ring in the interior of the rock.

That would prove the rock is working on a anaerobic level.

Good call. I'll have to do that. I don't know why I didn't think of that before. It will be a little while. I have lots of other projects going on this week that need attending to. I'll do what I can and document with pictures. I just don't know which rock would be good that doesn't have corals on it

 

[Rustylugnuts]

Ultimate DIY rocks

Ultimate DIY rocks

Fantastic thread! I've never been able to keep interest going through 35 pages. Thanks to all who have placed their experiences with concrete LR online. I can't wait to see more pics. I'm deffinately giving this a try on a small scale (with limited space and winter coming up im only going to have room for 1 rubbermaid tote). Between this ,DIY sump building, and fluorex lighting I'm going to have an interesting fall/winter.

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

[welcome]

I've glad that you've enjoyed it. It must have been a long read. It's definitely worth dabbling in if not for fun.

 

[Kurt03]

you know every post you've made has been removed? thats pretty funny

 

[KafudaFish]

I checked my pH earlier and it has dropped from 11 down to 9 over the weekend. I still think it has a long way to go but think the decrease is because the small amount of rock, <10# but also because I use warm to hot water and rise the rocks between twice daily WC. I believe the warmer water increases the chemical reaction rate of the concrete and the water. Anyone seen similar results?

 

[Mistamurray]

Ive been using hot water with my rocks as well... less than 10lbs... and adding vinagar to the water... its been two weeks and the ph is still way high ~11.5... ive got mine sitting in a utility sink with a mj500 to mix things up a bit... can't wait to put them in the tank great thread Travis!

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

I didn't get to bust up a rock yet. But I thought that I would like to post a couple pictures of what is in the tub curing. They should be done and ready. If they aren't, they are VERY close (about a week).

Here is the rock with a 2 Liter Pop Bottle for size comparisson.

Here is the rock with a tape measure beside it for size comparisson. Click on the picture to be taken to a large one for more detailed viewing.

 

[cdentii1]

Man you could sell that stuff Great Job Travis L. Stevens!!!!!

 

[speckled trout]

Here's some pics of my tank which has diy rock that has been it for 3+ years.

I used oystershells and don't have algae problems. So, don't be afraid to give them a try. They will work!:rollface:

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

It's about time you posted full tank shots. Thanks Trout. It looks beautiful.

 

[speckled trout]

Here's some pics before all the coral started to grow on them.

 

[speckled trout]

My pic taken ain't too good!

Also, I think that the program I'm using to "resize" the image reduces it too much, making the images look too grainy. Any suggestions?

 

[Rudy00]

that bumper sticker says it all....
how did you get those shapes in the rock?

 

[israelnajar]

Hey guys I just finished reading 40 pages and decided to give it a try. While I was mixing my first batch I thought how about empty pill capsules if you can get a source without purchasing tylonal and emptying the contents. And during the kuring process how about putting some CLR in the water to help with the lime dissolution. Anyway great thread.

 

[Marinest]

I was just skimming through the thread and I noticed you were looking for a quick safe way to cure the concrete rasonably fast. I am a Heavy Equipment and Pavements Operator in the Air Force, and when we need strong concrete fast this is what we do: Lessen the amount of water you use in your mix - less water = less drying time, when you need to quicken the curing process we throw a case of Coca-Cola into the back of the concrete truck, the sugar in the coke reacts with the gypsym i think, anyway that is what we use to speed up the process. We pour 18 inch thick pads and are able to walk on them in about 3 hours. Ohh, and for reference, a concrete truck holds around 6 cu. yds. of concrete so a 90 lb. bag would not need very much sugar at all.

 

[Rhodophyta]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8348811#post8348811 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Marinest
I was just skimming through the thread and I noticed you were looking for a quick safe way to cure the concrete rasonably fast. I am a Heavy Equipment and Pavements Operator in the Air Force, and when we need strong concrete fast this is what we do: Lessen the amount of water you use in your mix - less water = less drying time, when you need to quicken the curing process we throw a case of Coca-Cola into the back of the concrete truck, the sugar in the coke reacts with the gypsym i think, anyway that is what we use to speed up the process. We pour 18 inch thick pads and are able to walk on them in about 3 hours. Ohh, and for reference, a concrete truck holds around 6 cu. yds. of concrete so a 90 lb. bag would not need very much sugar at all.

Do you just throw the whole case, glass bottles, metal caps, and cardboard wrap into the truck? LOL! For really fast setup and no wait for leaching, you can replace the portland cement with a clear epoxy resin, but you have to use wax paper to shape and support it since it will permanently stick to practically anything else.

 

[ezfelker]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8349356#post8349356 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rhodophyta
Do you just throw the whole case, glass bottles, metal caps, and cardboard wrap into the truck? LOL! For really fast setup and no wait for leaching, you can replace the portland cement with a clear epoxy resin, but you have to use wax paper to shape and support it since it will permanently stick to practically anything else.

Rhodophyta - do you have a recipe for the epoxy rocks? I've been soaking my DIYs (salt/portland) for 4 months with weekly water changes and the pH is still off the charts :mad2: I'm about to throw in the towel.

 

[Barto]

Marinest...
I'm suprised that the AF allows coca cola custom concrete additives, I would think it would require the use of an approved concrete accelerator product.
Stationed in Great Falls? Kind of a soggy Fall morning today.
[welcome]