The Ultimate DIY Rocks!

[Travis L. Stevens]

As far as overdosing Ca, it will most likely percipitate out long before it becomes poisonous.

Oh yes, I expected a freshwater kure would be needed to determine if it completely kured or not.

 

[GuySmilie]

Re: Crazy? Maybe...

Re: Crazy? Maybe...

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9514964#post9514964 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Insane Reefer
Hey All
I was roaming my local ACE Hardware and came across this stuff:
http://www.mkminerals.com/hicalsig.html
MSDS

This is processed as small balls, BB to Pea sized, a light medium brown color, with very little odor.

{SNIP}

if this is safe, then I think some tests need to be run...

I too was roaming last week in Menards outdoor section and came upon a similar product called NutraLime. Looked like little BBs...not a naturally mined item (like the Pavestone brand Pelletized Limestone),, but processed somehow into little balls. I almost bought a bag to experiment but put it back before I left the store. It just crumbled too easily and smelled like lawn fertilizer. I had concerns that it might not work so well in cement.

Here is the analysis:
Calcium (Ca) 21%
Magnesium (Mg) 11%
Calcium Carbonate Equivalent (CCE) 99%
Moisture <1%
Binder <2%
Specific gravity 76 lbs per cubic foot
Product minus 60 mesh 92%
Product minus 100 mesh 87%

Web Link to Manufacturer

Anyway, maybe it could be utilized.
Guy

 

[Insane Reefer]

For those curious, this is what the pelletized stuff looks like...

It was cheap too - I can't recall the exact price, but I think it was like $5.99/per 40lbs

 

[zachtos]

This is my batch of DIY LR. 2 parts salt, 1 part cement, 0.5 parts sand. This has been curing for 2 weeks total, not really porous feeling, some of the salt is still not dissolved.

 

[chvojka]

If I made a batch, enough for a 30 gal tank, cure it then kure it and put it in the tank with say 5lbs. of LR how long would it take for the coraline algae to infest the DIY LR? How fast does this stuff transfer?

 

[GuySmilie]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9535550#post9535550 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by zachtos

This is my batch of DIY LR. 2 parts salt, 1 part cement, 0.5 parts sand. This has been curing for 2 weeks total, not really porous feeling, some of the salt is still not dissolved.

zachtos, that almost looks like some type of aggregate stones under that exterior. How did you get that bumpy effect? I made several horseshoe-shaped pours today also.
Guy

 

[thriceanangel]

Looks like you used the pellet type solar salt. I had considered using it, but declined due to the uniform shape. I think I'll reconsider, but I will mix it with some irregular shaped rock salt. I think that the larger pock marks will look great with the smaller pores.

 

[thriceanangel]

Has anyone used the bb shaped calcium chloride deicer? I thought that I heard somewhere ( I believe on the dowflake website) that CaCl2 is used to speed up curing. If thats the case, then a little deicer, in addition to adding round pores, might speed up the curing process as well as provide a source of calcium.

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

chvojka It really depends on your tank. Generally in 6 months, you won't be able to tell it from the real thing

zachtos How did you get the outward texture? Did you use bubble wrap or were the salt crystals just that large?

 

[thriceanangel]

I think he must have used the pellet type salt.

 

[Azazael13]

Here are my rocks.

I am doing external links because the images are rather large since I want to show the detail.

Batch 1
1:1:1 (Cement:Salt:Sand) casted on top of crushed oyster.
Picture 1
Picture 2

The wife didn't like these so much because we didn't have any oyster in the mix. They have been soaking for about 1 1/2 weeks now.

Batch 2
5:5:4:4 (Cement:Sand:Salt:Oyster shell) casted on top of Salt.
Picture 1
Picture 2
Picture 3

These look better, but feel a little bit brittle, hoping they get a little stronger after some more cure time. These have only been soaking for two days.

The only issue we have now is the wife wishes they were a little bit lighter. Is there any dye that is safe or would bleach work?

Thoughts from the gurus?? (Travis and IR )

 

[ebe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9543548#post9543548 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Azazael13
Here are my rocks.

I am doing external links because the images are rather large since I want to show the detail.

Batch 1
1:1:1 (Cement:Salt:Sand) casted on top of crushed oyster.
Picture 1
Picture 2

The wife didn't like these so much because we didn't have any oyster in the mix. They have been soaking for about 1 1/2 weeks now.

Batch 2
5:5:4:4 (Cement:Sand:Salt:Oyster shell) casted on top of Salt.
Picture 1
Picture 2
Picture 3

These look better, but feel a little bit brittle, hoping they get a little stronger after some more cure time. These have only been soaking for two days.

The only issue we have now is the wife wishes they were a little bit lighter. Is there any dye that is safe or would bleach work?

Thoughts from the gurus?? (Travis and IR )

I have been using a similar recipe to your second batch. I have found that the salt makes the rocks weaker but if you let it sit in you casting mold for a couple of days longer they are much easier to deal with. The straight cement/sand/oyster shell rocks, in my opinion are just much stronger right out of the shoot. But I now prefer your second formula with the solar salt. They look good, are plenty porus and are plenty strong if you just take a bit more time.

 

[zachtos]

pellet type salt, it doesnt seem brittle either, but i dont think all the salt seems to be dissolving.

 

[GuySmilie]

:crazy1: (hopefully, I've got this in the right thread after three tries) :crazy1:

Does anyone know how GARF makes this?
Surely it's not done in one pour!?
I think it looks neat and would like to figure out their technique for creating this piece.
Guy

 

[Rhodophyta]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9547504#post9547504 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GuySmilie
:crazy1: (hopefully, I've got this in the right thread after three tries) :crazy1:

Does anyone know how GARF makes this?
Surely it's not done in one pour!?
I think it looks neat and would like to figure out their technique for creating this piece.
Guy

It's done in one extended pour. Put a layer of sand (or gravel) in the bottom of a box. Make some holes in the sand to form the bottom or feet of the rock. Add more sand leaving some but not all of the concrete uncovered. Add your next layer of rock. Repeat varying the shape and size and connections between each layer. This creates the tunnels and the suggestions of weathered stratified rock.

 

[Insane Reefer]

Azazael, you're killing me, lol - on dialup here - those photo's are Huge!
I agree with your wife though - second batch is nicer in appearance. Like Ebe said, leave the rocking in the mold a few days longer than you really want too - you will be happier with your rocks then.

Guy, I always thought of this type as the "Cowpat and Sand" rock, lol. Rhody is completely correct in the casting of this - it isn't hard, just takes a deep box to cast in. Wet the sand you are using first, and have a lot of extra sand, wet, ready for adding as you work.

 

[Azazael13]

Sorry IR, I am a visual guy, I like the images as large as I can so I can see the detail.

I didn't think people still had dial up

 

[cdentii1]

dial up
whats that?
JK

 

[Insane Reefer]

For those of you having trouble releasing your salt...

Try boiling water, or at least the hottest water you can use. I find the bathtub works well for this - just use a strainer in the drain, or really rinse the rock well outside first.

Water Softener salt is really, really dense, and used because it does Not dissolve very quickly in cold water - thus it makes a brine that "softens" the water as it flows through the softener. it can take weeks for salt to release in cold water. I can get most of the salt out in about 36 hours, with 3-4 hot soaks...

HTH

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9548204#post9548204 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rhodophyta
It's done in one extended pour. Put a layer of sand (or gravel) in the bottom of a box. Make some holes in the sand to form the bottom or feet of the rock. Add more sand leaving some but not all of the concrete uncovered. Add your next layer of rock. Repeat varying the shape and size and connections between each layer. This creates the tunnels and the suggestions of weathered stratified rock.

GARF also has a DVD detailing various propogation techniques and rock making tips. They show you how they do this.