Insane Reefer
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Risen from what to what?
The Ultimate DIY Rocks!
- Thread starter JohnL
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Risen from what to what?
TheNomadRhodes
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I have some thing to ask real fast and sorry if this has all ready been covered.
I want to do my next little zoa thank with nothing but DIY rock.
Here is my question, how long dose it take for the rock to become well live? Is there any thing you can seed it with. I was thinking maybe some rock out of my old thank but what about any nasty little bugs that might make to the new rock that is what i'm trying to avoid?
I want to do my next little zoa thank with nothing but DIY rock.
Here is my question, how long dose it take for the rock to become well live? Is there any thing you can seed it with. I was thinking maybe some rock out of my old thank but what about any nasty little bugs that might make to the new rock that is what i'm trying to avoid?
Insane Reefer
New member
Goldman,
Not to worry
The new method isn't for everyone, it is just an alternative method for those who really don't want to wait. No skin off my nose if you choose to do it another way
A clear, free flowing waterway is perfect, you can expect a kure time of 2-4 weeks, and the tiny amount we are putting in is negligible - not like you are pouring a new boat ramp or anything...
I would skip the chlorine soak though - just a high salinity saltwater soak would be better for the rock and do almost as much.
Be sure to use a real powerwasher or go to a carwash on your way home and blow the heck out of them first though
Not to worry
The new method isn't for everyone, it is just an alternative method for those who really don't want to wait. No skin off my nose if you choose to do it another way
A clear, free flowing waterway is perfect, you can expect a kure time of 2-4 weeks, and the tiny amount we are putting in is negligible - not like you are pouring a new boat ramp or anything...
I would skip the chlorine soak though - just a high salinity saltwater soak would be better for the rock and do almost as much.
Be sure to use a real powerwasher or go to a carwash on your way home and blow the heck out of them first though
Insane Reefer
New member
Nomad,
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1094586&perpage=25&pagenumber=2
Silverwolf had asked this and if read this page it was answered
You can also get starts from local reefers - they are usually willing to part with bugs and the like..
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1094586&perpage=25&pagenumber=2
Silverwolf had asked this and if read this page it was answered
You can also get starts from local reefers - they are usually willing to part with bugs and the like..
Insane Reefer
New member
NASTY!
NASTY!
LOL - this was from my first release bath for yesterdays bake...
It was thick and foamy, like dads shaving water, minus the bristles, lol...
NASTY!
LOL - this was from my first release bath for yesterdays bake...
It was thick and foamy, like dads shaving water, minus the bristles, lol...
TheNomadRhodes
New member
Cool.. thank you Insane Reefer. i'm gonna have fun reading over all this.
Insane Reefer
New member
This was the first time this happened, lol.
My husband was supposed to wake me so I could take the rocks out and plunge them, but he forgot - they stayed in the stove and extra 2 hours, and since they were pretty cool by then, I went ahead and rewarmed them to 250°F for an hour. Then I plunged them. So they were in a warm moist environment for close to 10 hours (I was playing with a 6 hour bake).
Maybe there is something to Travis's idea of a slower, longer bake...
Insane Reefer
New member
I asked because my tap water is 7.5 - not that a .2 difference would matter, but was curious.
I'd say you are safe, unless the salt hasn't released completely - do a taste test. I had some test rocks I was excited about until I cut them open and discovered that the core was still solid
Insane Reefer
New member
NP
Wanna be a lab monkey?
LOL
:bum:
Soory it took so long to get back to you but to answer some the questions, this is my first time attempting making rock, and the mortar mix was not shinier than the other rock, I think it was just the sun hitting it in the picture.
Also when I baked the rock there was no way of sealing off my kitchen because I have a open floor plan. I did it in the morning and turned off the A/C and opened all the windows. I did notice a oder when I first started cooking but I don't think it was any different than any other time when you first turn the oven on at 450degrees. It wasn't over powering, I didn't get headaches or dizzy, all my pets didn't seem bothered by it, and my wife was still sleeping through most of the baking so I don't think it was much of a problem at least for me.
Update: rocks have been sitting in vinegar bath until tues. That is when I will be starting freshwater bath so I should have my first ph reading next Fri.
Also when I baked the rock there was no way of sealing off my kitchen because I have a open floor plan. I did it in the morning and turned off the A/C and opened all the windows. I did notice a oder when I first started cooking but I don't think it was any different than any other time when you first turn the oven on at 450degrees. It wasn't over powering, I didn't get headaches or dizzy, all my pets didn't seem bothered by it, and my wife was still sleeping through most of the baking so I don't think it was much of a problem at least for me.
Update: rocks have been sitting in vinegar bath until tues. That is when I will be starting freshwater bath so I should have my first ph reading next Fri.
coffeedolphin
New member
could you make a pvc framework- predrilled with varying diameter holes as an infrastructure for large diy rock pieces - run a powerhead through th rock while curing to increase flow through the rock while submerged in a salt swimming pool - non chlorine- to expedite the process and later use the inlet from the powerhead for internal flow within the aquarium?
coffeedolphin
New member
in a large swimming pool that already has salt in it, i dont think the salt would hurt - would the cement pose any health risks while curing in twelve thousand gallons -
coffeedolphin
New member
maybe if i make enough diy rocks this way ill end up with a reef pool
Insane Reefer
New member
I think this is the first time anyone has asked if rock could be kured in a swimming pool, and not been taking about a Wally-World Kiddy Pool, CoffeeDolphin, lol.
Welcome to RC and to this Thread
I think the biggest question here is what sort of chemicals do you use in a saltwater swimming pool? I don't imagine that there would be any problems, but I really do not know.
I'd also be worried about the crud that will precipitate from the rock as well as the inevitable rubble mess.
I'm not sure your pvc idea will help any - you already are talking about an immense body of water (compared to most kuring containers), so you should have a pretty short kure time. Maybe take that PH and point it at the rock to help flow, but I'd not worry about the extra - unless you are looking for a good excuse to rig internals on your rock...
Welcome to RC and to this Thread
I think the biggest question here is what sort of chemicals do you use in a saltwater swimming pool? I don't imagine that there would be any problems, but I really do not know.
I'd also be worried about the crud that will precipitate from the rock as well as the inevitable rubble mess.
I'm not sure your pvc idea will help any - you already are talking about an immense body of water (compared to most kuring containers), so you should have a pretty short kure time. Maybe take that PH and point it at the rock to help flow, but I'd not worry about the extra - unless you are looking for a good excuse to rig internals on your rock...
Insane Reefer
New member
Groovy, Eaj, How long was it from casting time to baking start time?
Keep us posted
Keep us posted
coffeedolphin
New member
i will ask the swimming pool maintanance guy on tue if a bit of cement would mess up the pool - if not - i will try some diy rocks next weekend with internal pvc flow and pool / jacuzzi curing - btw has anyone converted their swimming pools into a reef? i was joking yesterday but all night i was thinking about it-- it would be cool- a giant reef - i could cover it with a glass enclosure- i already have a heater system- and the temp on the beach here is always moderate- i could use natural sunlight and airconditioning- maybe place a few 1000 w halides over the attached jacuzzi - limit the population to just a few fish - make a giant diy reef scaffold system use an attached skimmer out of the pool - is this possible - or even legal- or am i just dreaming - i know now i am addicted to reefkeeping if im even contemplating this... but heck its my pool - and i never use it- if it were a reef i'd snorkel in it with the fish every day...
coffeedolphin
New member
i will go to the conference in chicago next weekend and ask if anyone has done this- anyone else going to chicago next weekend??
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