The Ultimate DIY Rocks!

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yeah - too bad Duggs splash technique didn't work out, he posted that later in the thread - but I've a link in my "Super Long Post" for an eBay dealer who sells dry colorants for cement in a lot of colors. I'm wondering if using colorant meant for cement, and using it dry, sprinkled on, might work?

The local scene for color is about the same as your's from what I've been able to find in colors :(
 
You could always use red aragonite. They sell it as kids play sand at my local Home depot.

They also have yellow and blue etc. if you want tie-dye rock. I know... I shouldn't encourage you I.R. :)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10457142#post10457142 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mr.wilson
You could always use red aragonite. They sell it as kids play sand at my local Home depot.

They also have yellow and blue etc. if you want tie-dye rock. I know... I shouldn't encourage you I.R. :)
Click to expand...
:jester:

I do love a good tie-dye, lol :)

Anyway, we have no aragonite except at the LFS, not in red, not in yellow, and certainly not in blue...
:hmm2:
My local Home Despot sucks...
:mad2:
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10457095#post10457095 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Insane Reefer
yeah - too bad Duggs splash technique didn't work out, he posted that later in the thread - but I've a link in my "Super Long Post" for an eBay dealer who sells dry colorants for cement in a lot of colors. I'm wondering if using colorant meant for cement, and using it dry, sprinkled on, might work?

The local scene for color is about the same as your's from what I've been able to find in colors :(
Click to expand...

You really need to watch out on the actual concrete colorants most of them are pretty nasty metal wise. I have seen a couple companies that are making more enviornmentaly friendly versions but they are surface treatments not to be mixed in the concrete.
 
All,
What is everyone using to mix up their cement mixtures. Any special drill bits out there you have found? I'm looking to get a stainless mixing attachment of some kind.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10459936#post10459936 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Neptune777
All,
What is everyone using to mix up their cement mixtures. Any special drill bits out there you have found? I'm looking to get a stainless mixing attachment of some kind.
Click to expand...

Hope you have a really stout drill for this concrete is gonna be rough on the drill because of how thick you make it. I usually hand mix small loads with a hoe and shovel. I have seen a 5 gallon HDPE mixer you put the mix and water into, cap it and roll it around on the ground for a minute or two then pull the cap and pour. I think that Quickrete made these.

If you do go the drill and paddles type set up most big box stores have the drill bit in the paint section but look for the heavy duty ones (usually galv. steel) made for 5 gallon mixing. They work good for thin grouts but I wouldn't recommend them for a thick mix.

HTH
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10459936#post10459936 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Neptune777
All,
What is everyone using to mix up their cement mixtures. Any special drill bits out there you have found? I'm looking to get a stainless mixing attachment of some kind.
Click to expand...

I use this

cement.jpg


With a half inch drill. works great
 
Ok I have a couple of questions.
First of all what does the pH of the freshwater have to be stable at to know that they are cured?
And second, if I want to seed the rock, do I have to do any water changes?
Thanks,
Patick
 
To color my rocks, I use oak leaves. Put them in the water when you begin to soak the rocks. Random parts of the rock will be stained dark brown and others all shades inbetween. The color is permanent so far. I took a rock out that has been in a freshwater cichlid tank for several years and it still has the oak pigmenting.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10456716#post10456716 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Insane Reefer
Oh, that looks very cool :D
It looks whiter than the stuff I've seen, or is that an illusion?

OT: Have you heard? Dark Crystal 2...
Click to expand...

i had to cure it in the tank since it stuck to the glass. that was just 3 days after i started adding water. looks better now and it only took 2 weeks of every 3day water change for the ph to drop from high 8 to 7.8. the last test i let it soak for 4 days just to make shure. the pond foam goes from side to side across the overflow. just after i sprayed the foam i but crystal salt on it to try to get the same look and it turned out perty good.

when is dark crystal 2 being made???? i want to know!!
 
customcolor-
sorry this is really off topic, but first of all were abouts in WI are you? and i need to paint a car becuase of a deer accident i just got into and I was wondering if you could give me some good suggestions on a compressor powered spray gun.
thanks,
oh ya, im still wondering what the pH of the freshwater has to be to know the rocks are cured. thanks,
patrick
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10459585#post10459585 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by badfish03
You really need to watch out on the actual concrete colorants most of them are pretty nasty metal wise. I have seen a couple companies that are making more enviornmentaly friendly versions but they are surface treatments not to be mixed in the concrete.
Click to expand...

Agreed - esp. greens and blues, which often use copper compounds. That is why I like the Plaid colors best of what I've used - non-toxic and fairly cheap and are meant for this type of thing.

green-rock.jpg


This is green rock (dry and wet) I made with Plaid Mosaic Colorant - can you tell? lol
I happened to go by the LFS today, and he still had these two pieces of the colored rock, so I grabbed a picture.
This was a fairly dark green when cast, almost the color of green coralline and used half a bottle to achieve - very little leeched out from the rock. This is the color it finished to.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10462102#post10462102 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Salty Brother
oh ya, im still wondering what the pH of the freshwater has to be to know the rocks are cured. thanks,
patrick
Click to expand...

Pat, we generally say that if the pH of the test water reads anything less than 8.6, after a full 3 days of soaking in the same water, you are good to go.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10461812#post10461812 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rhodophyta
To color my rocks, I use oak leaves.
Click to expand...

I will attest that this works superbly (walnut outer husks will also work) for getting a nice mottling effect in the buff/sepia tones.

Now if we could only genetically engineer oak tree's to have purple leaves, we would be set for coralline colors :D
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10459936#post10459936 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Neptune777

What is everyone using to mix up their cement mixtures.
Click to expand...

I second the heavy duty duty drill if you go with the mixer thingy.

We have one, and I tried it, but ended up liking mixing with hand tools, like an ice scraper and a hand claw like you find in the garden center, much better. I also don't work in a bucket anymore - I have two rubbermaid bins I use depending on how much I'm making - one is a 38qt and the other is a gift-wrap tote - both of the flexible colored plastic, not the brittle clear stuff.

These work for me :)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10462263#post10462263 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Insane Reefer
I will attest that this works superbly (walnut outer husks will also work) for getting a nice mottling effect in the buff/sepia tones.

Now if we could only genetically engineer oak tree's to have purple leaves, we would be set for coralline colors :D
Click to expand...

Hehheh!

http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/78739/

I guess I'll have to buy one and plant it. Purple birch should be close enough. I'll let you know in a few years if the purple color transfers. :rollface: :spin1: :fun4:
 
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