The Ultimate DIY Rocks!
- Thread starter JohnL
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Insane Reefer
New member
Yes
Yes
$2.00-$2.75lbs
Like Wildfire @ $3.50-$4.00lbs
Yinepu
Member
Re: The Great ALK Debate
Re: The Great ALK Debate
The reason I ask is that I put some of my rock (PH 8.8) in a cycling tank (no critters or other rock, but I did have diatoms just before adding the rock). I put it in on June 1. The tank reading went from 8.2 to 8.8 over night and is still there (I know.. it's only been a few days). I wasn't sure if it was safe to add any livestock with a PH that high (I have heard some fish can take that PH, but not much else). So I was planning on waiting until the PH drops some more first. Did you do any water changes at all to bring the PH down?
Re: The Great ALK Debate
Hey Insane, was it reading that high when you first put it in your tank? Or did it drop when it was put in and saltwater was added? I'm assuming this was in a new tank. If so did it cycle without any problems? What did you add (livestock) and what were the PH readings when you added them?
The reason I ask is that I put some of my rock (PH 8.8) in a cycling tank (no critters or other rock, but I did have diatoms just before adding the rock). I put it in on June 1. The tank reading went from 8.2 to 8.8 over night and is still there (I know.. it's only been a few days). I wasn't sure if it was safe to add any livestock with a PH that high (I have heard some fish can take that PH, but not much else). So I was planning on waiting until the PH drops some more first. Did you do any water changes at all to bring the PH down?
Kengaroo131
Fish Crazy
dose anyone know where the original thread is? the one with the instructions? i really would like to give this a shot. thanks!
goldmaniac
New member
onnenmd:
I have found latex gloves to work better than regular balloons. I take one glove, cut off the fingers, and use the fingers to tie off fingers on a 2nd glove, and then I blow up the 2nd glove. I prefer the oblong shape it creates.
a little more labor intensive, but if you're doing this project already, you probably don't mind getting your hands dirty with a little more prep work.
I have found latex gloves to work better than regular balloons. I take one glove, cut off the fingers, and use the fingers to tie off fingers on a 2nd glove, and then I blow up the 2nd glove. I prefer the oblong shape it creates.
a little more labor intensive, but if you're doing this project already, you probably don't mind getting your hands dirty with a little more prep work.
goldmaniac
New member
WHITE PORTLAND CEMENT UPDATE
Looks like I found 100% pure, basic, white portland cement. In my area, at least, it was very hard to find.
Details of the product are on the previous page, page 20.
In contacting Federal White Cement, Inc, i'm told that the phrase, "SLIPSTOP has been applied to this bag" actually does mean it was just sprayed to the paper bag holding the 94 lbs of white portland cement so you can get a better grip carrying the bag. I had hoped, but doubted, that this is what it meant. But i talked to a V.P. who called around and found out for me and called me back rather quickly.
maybe you can find a location near you:
http://www.federalwhitecement.com
thanks to IR for finding the website. I hadn't even considered Googleing "federal white cement"
- G.
Looks like I found 100% pure, basic, white portland cement. In my area, at least, it was very hard to find.
Details of the product are on the previous page, page 20.
In contacting Federal White Cement, Inc, i'm told that the phrase, "SLIPSTOP has been applied to this bag" actually does mean it was just sprayed to the paper bag holding the 94 lbs of white portland cement so you can get a better grip carrying the bag. I had hoped, but doubted, that this is what it meant. But i talked to a V.P. who called around and found out for me and called me back rather quickly.
maybe you can find a location near you:
http://www.federalwhitecement.com
thanks to IR for finding the website. I hadn't even considered Googleing "federal white cement"
- G.
goldmaniac
New member
heh heh
Guy, I emailed AND called Federal WHite Cement Inc, and the V.P. emailed AND called me back within an hour ha ha ha
I think this vice pres just wanted to get away from his normal routine and search out an answer for me. Nice guy, first name was Bernard.
IR - Flies, honey, vinegar. How do you ask them? hahahahah
\ I keed
- G.
Guy, I emailed AND called Federal WHite Cement Inc, and the V.P. emailed AND called me back within an hour ha ha ha
I think this vice pres just wanted to get away from his normal routine and search out an answer for me. Nice guy, first name was Bernard.
IR - Flies, honey, vinegar. How do you ask them? hahahahah
\ I keed
- G.
BOKER420
Premium Member
Here is my first attempt. I have a few questions. I used Portland Cement type 1A is this the same as type 1? Is it ok?
I casted this 24hrs ago. So now I bake it or to I boil it?
I just used regular softener salt crystals that are 98. somthing percent salt. Will that be ok?
And I have access to a small creek. Would that be the ideal place to kure it?
Thanks
I casted this 24hrs ago. So now I bake it or to I boil it?
I just used regular softener salt crystals that are 98. somthing percent salt. Will that be ok?
And I have access to a small creek. Would that be the ideal place to kure it?
Thanks
goldmaniac
New member
Looks good BOKER -
I'd let it sit for a week or two before doing anything. It'll continue to harden during that time. At least a week, IMO.
after that, it sounds like your creek would be great. I'm not gonna chime in on the baking / boiling aspect.
I'd let it sit for a week or two before doing anything. It'll continue to harden during that time. At least a week, IMO.
after that, it sounds like your creek would be great. I'm not gonna chime in on the baking / boiling aspect.
michaelalan
New member
Boker,
I would defer to Insane on the length of time before baking it.
What I wanted to add is to drill holes where you will want to mount corals. You will want to do that before the cure and not after.
I would defer to Insane on the length of time before baking it.
What I wanted to add is to drill holes where you will want to mount corals. You will want to do that before the cure and not after.
Insane Reefer
New member
Hey Boker - excellent looking first piece 
I think that piece would do great as a "Jiffy Rock"
If it fits in the oven that is.
You can go anyway you want on this.
You can use the more traditional methods of just leaving it alone in a moist environment for a few days (week or more preferred), then start to remove salt and start the kure, which is a tried and true method and will bring your rock down in anywhere from 4-12 weeks. If your creek is clean and has some movement, your rock will probably get kured in the 3-6 week range.
Or, you can try the new experimental method, which is experimental, lol. If you try the new method, at worst you will have a mess in your stove to clean up, and rock of about 9.0 after a week - typical water kuring will more than likely bring that down in another week or so - especially in a creek.
If you choose the Jiffy Rock method, please email me for a "Lab Monkey" form - it has the steps laid out, and a form for tracking data - if you would fill it in and return it, it would be appreciated
Portland Cement type 1A is this the same as type 1?
You need to try to find this out before you use it in a system.
I still think the shorter, hotter bake did more good. If it fits in your stove, and you want to bake, line the stove with foil, cover any oven vents (under a burner?), add a pan (metal, not glass) of water for humidity, and bake at 400-450°F for 4-6 hours. Leave door closed except for one check half-way through to make sure water is still available.
You might want to mist it with water before starting to bake.
Leave it in the stove 2 more hours, with door closed to allow it to slowly cool a bit, then using gloves, remove and immediately plunge in very hot water.
If you need more, email me for that stuff, I'll get it right out to you...
Now tell us a bit more about your structure. What recipe did you use? How did you form it in the bucket?
And welcome to the thread
I think that piece would do great as a "Jiffy Rock"
If it fits in the oven that is.
You can go anyway you want on this.
You can use the more traditional methods of just leaving it alone in a moist environment for a few days (week or more preferred), then start to remove salt and start the kure, which is a tried and true method and will bring your rock down in anywhere from 4-12 weeks. If your creek is clean and has some movement, your rock will probably get kured in the 3-6 week range.
Or, you can try the new experimental method, which is experimental, lol. If you try the new method, at worst you will have a mess in your stove to clean up, and rock of about 9.0 after a week - typical water kuring will more than likely bring that down in another week or so - especially in a creek.
If you choose the Jiffy Rock method, please email me for a "Lab Monkey" form - it has the steps laid out, and a form for tracking data - if you would fill it in and return it, it would be appreciated
Portland Cement type 1A is this the same as type 1?
I wonder what the entrained material is? This could be harmless or toxic...
You need to try to find this out before you use it in a system.
I still think the shorter, hotter bake did more good. If it fits in your stove, and you want to bake, line the stove with foil, cover any oven vents (under a burner?), add a pan (metal, not glass) of water for humidity, and bake at 400-450°F for 4-6 hours. Leave door closed except for one check half-way through to make sure water is still available.
You might want to mist it with water before starting to bake.
Leave it in the stove 2 more hours, with door closed to allow it to slowly cool a bit, then using gloves, remove and immediately plunge in very hot water.
If you need more, email me for that stuff, I'll get it right out to you...
Now tell us a bit more about your structure. What recipe did you use? How did you form it in the bucket?
And welcome to the thread
Insane Reefer
New member
Re: Re: The Great ALK Debate
Re: Re: The Great ALK Debate
Yinepu
I do a saltwater test before I use pieces - as Mr. Wilson pointed out, there are differences, but typically there isn't too much difference in the tested pH for either salt or fresh when testing the rocks (less than half a point), so I have abandoned salt testing on these experimental pieces, until I get rock in the 8.5 range - and then I will start salt testing on those as well.
The tank was new, but the water, the sand and a few pieces of real live rock were taken from a cycled tank.
When tested, my log says the tank read 8.6 on pH the next day.
I didn't add anything for a little over a week, and my pH had stabilized to 8.4, no water changes.
Over the last month or so, the pH has lowered to the 8.0 range - but I also need to do a water change, which will bring that back up a bit.
Does this help?
Re: Re: The Great ALK Debate
Yinepu
I do a saltwater test before I use pieces - as Mr. Wilson pointed out, there are differences, but typically there isn't too much difference in the tested pH for either salt or fresh when testing the rocks (less than half a point), so I have abandoned salt testing on these experimental pieces, until I get rock in the 8.5 range - and then I will start salt testing on those as well.
The tank was new, but the water, the sand and a few pieces of real live rock were taken from a cycled tank.
When tested, my log says the tank read 8.6 on pH the next day.
I didn't add anything for a little over a week, and my pH had stabilized to 8.4, no water changes.
Over the last month or so, the pH has lowered to the 8.0 range - but I also need to do a water change, which will bring that back up a bit.
Does this help?
Kengaroo131
Fish Crazy
thank you.
BOKER420
Premium Member
Well I've read a lot on this thread but don't remember what " Jiffy Rock" referred to. Is that just the bake method?
My recipe consisted of 3 parts Crushed oyster shells, 1 part salt, 1 part some old aquamedic calcium reactor media, and 1 part Portland type 1A.
I just used a hefty garbage bag to line a bucket and then put salt in the voids as I built up the rock. I used a log of salt wrapped in tissue paper for the hole.
I just got done making 4 more rocks. I'll take pics of them tomorrow. I can't wait, 2 of them have a 3 way cave and 1 I made the base then a tall skinny column and then an umbrella top.
My recipe consisted of 3 parts Crushed oyster shells, 1 part salt, 1 part some old aquamedic calcium reactor media, and 1 part Portland type 1A.
I just used a hefty garbage bag to line a bucket and then put salt in the voids as I built up the rock. I used a log of salt wrapped in tissue paper for the hole.
I just got done making 4 more rocks. I'll take pics of them tomorrow. I can't wait, 2 of them have a 3 way cave and 1 I made the base then a tall skinny column and then an umbrella top.
Yinepu
Member
Re: Re: Re: The Great ALK Debate
Re: Re: Re: The Great ALK Debate
Thanks!
Re: Re: Re: The Great ALK Debate
Yes it does. I'll check mine again tomorrow and see if there has been any changes. I did test the dkh & calcium before I put it in, then again the other day. I don't remember off the top of my head if they had changed any or not. I do keep a log though; so I'll have to check it.
Thanks!
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