Insane Reefer
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Neptune, mist them every few days - moister is better. I find that putting the rock in black garbage bags, outside in the heat (but not in the sun) works really well.
The Ultimate DIY Rocks!
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Insane Reefer
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It will be interesting to hear back from Sunkool, who was also going to try a batch of Jiffy Rock out in his BBQ/Smoker.
I have wondered how real flame would effect the bakes; flame is a harsher heat then an electric element, and it may be possible that providing enough moisture during the bake could prove to be difficult.
It is one reason I have been hesitant to built an outdoor baker - I would prefer electric, but am having trouble figuring out how to wire the electric in such a way that the wires won't melt from the heat generated in the barrel. Propane would be ever so much easier, and can get the parts to build it at Walmart for about $30, but don't want to waste money and effort if the end result isn't what I am hoping for.
Just curious Steve, How much propane did you use for your bakes?
I have wondered how real flame would effect the bakes; flame is a harsher heat then an electric element, and it may be possible that providing enough moisture during the bake could prove to be difficult.
It is one reason I have been hesitant to built an outdoor baker - I would prefer electric, but am having trouble figuring out how to wire the electric in such a way that the wires won't melt from the heat generated in the barrel. Propane would be ever so much easier, and can get the parts to build it at Walmart for about $30, but don't want to waste money and effort if the end result isn't what I am hoping for.
Just curious Steve, How much propane did you use for your bakes?
Insane Reefer
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Awesome, AZ 
Have you made rock before? If so, how did this compare for you? Are you pleased so far with the rocks? If your end pH is in the 9 range, would you say this method was worth it, as far as effort put forth and in time/water saved? Granted, the testing phase will make this take longer then it will once I'm certain most people will get the same results, and we feel that the long term testing isn't really necessary anymore, but I've been able to finish the kure in a week or so with a few water changes in the rock I've been doing lately, where I skip the testing phase - I've only had a few rocks that took as long as 2 weeks to do, from cast to finish.
Have you made rock before? If so, how did this compare for you? Are you pleased so far with the rocks? If your end pH is in the 9 range, would you say this method was worth it, as far as effort put forth and in time/water saved? Granted, the testing phase will make this take longer then it will once I'm certain most people will get the same results, and we feel that the long term testing isn't really necessary anymore, but I've been able to finish the kure in a week or so with a few water changes in the rock I've been doing lately, where I skip the testing phase - I've only had a few rocks that took as long as 2 weeks to do, from cast to finish.
Neptune777
Premium Member
Thanks....this is my first try at official reef rock. It is very brittle now but I assume it will harden up considerably as it cures in the next couple weeks?
Also, on the subject of Perlite..... I did a TDS test on the stuff today. My tap water has 147ppm as is.....after my RO/DI unit I am at zero. I filled three plastic cups (one with tap, 2 with RODI and tested TDS on all three to make sure I get the same #'s. One RODI cup was used to rinse off particles from the perlite so I could test the chunks after they soak in the other RODI cup for 1/2 hour. I am surprised at the initial results.........Both the RODI rinse/prewash and the "official" soak cup still register ZERO TDS after 1/2 hour with the perlite. I will leave them overnight and test again tomorrow.
unbreakable
D:
whoaa, this thread has changed a lot. so when after i make the rock, let it sit for a week or so, then it put it water.. does it have to be in tap water or r/o water? when i test it it has to be in r/o water?
spike78
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I basically had the BBQ running full blast for 6 hours. I recon I ran through half a tank of propane. My burners are busted on that BBQ so it's basically cooking on an open flame. I had a little blackening in spots on the underside of the rock (it came right off) but I'm REALLY HAPPY with the way my technique 2 rocks turned out. My technique 1 rocks are going in the garbage.
It basically took me 3 batches to get to the point where I'm happy with my process. I'll try and take some pictures of the rock I made yesterday and post them. I'm probably going to run another batch today. Just need more salt
. If these rocks cure OK, I think I'd REALLY recommend baking the rocks if you have the means. It gives you pretty quick feedback if the mix you used is going to work and seems to make the rocks extremely strong.
customcolor
New member
y dont you just put a batch in a fire pit or a fire place instead of burning up your propane.
Insane Reefer
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Thanks Cougarguy 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10295746#post10295746 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Insane Reefer
Awesome, AZ
Have you made rock before? If so, how did this compare for you? Are you pleased so far with the rocks? If your end pH is in the 9 range, would you say this method was worth it, as far as effort put forth and in time/water saved? Granted, the testing phase will make this take longer then it will once I'm certain most people will get the same results, and we feel that the long term testing isn't really necessary anymore, but I've been able to finish the kure in a week or so with a few water changes in the rock I've been doing lately, where I skip the testing phase - I've only had a few rocks that took as long as 2 weeks to do, from cast to finish.
Here is my rock history.
Phase 1: Too much water in my mix and stupid casting method. Trashed
Phase 2: In tank now not overly happy with them, but I need rocks in there and they aren't horrible.
Phase 3: Refining the process and am somewhat happy with these.
Phase 4: Your Jiffy style.
The faster cure is nice, but it won't matter to much to me since I am going to try to put them in my 10g this time around to help the algae outbreak, they will most likely sit in there for 2 months. I would love the baking method more in the winter, aside from the hot already humid summer
Neptune777
Premium Member
After soaking the perlite in zero TDS water overnight I still get a reading of zero TDS.
Insane Reefer
New member
Cool AZ
Yeah, I discovered the low light thing through observation and by accident. I noticed that the rock I took to the local LFS don't seem to bloom, not like this backwall and other pieces I've seen. Didn't think too much about it until I threw a couple of pieces in my bug tank, which is a 10g with 15W? T5 of 50/50. These have never bloomed - they are still white (coralline just starting), though it has gotten a bit grungy colored. So last time I was in the LFS I asked what light was being used on the rock tank and it is a dual strip NO setup - very low light like my setup. The low light seems to curtail the algae growth.
Honestly though, if your system doesn't have a lot of stuff in it yet, I don't know that I wouldn't just go ahead and put it in there, and just run less light for a few weeks. Just a thought.
How about some pictures? :bum:
Yeah, I discovered the low light thing through observation and by accident. I noticed that the rock I took to the local LFS don't seem to bloom, not like this backwall and other pieces I've seen. Didn't think too much about it until I threw a couple of pieces in my bug tank, which is a 10g with 15W? T5 of 50/50. These have never bloomed - they are still white (coralline just starting), though it has gotten a bit grungy colored. So last time I was in the LFS I asked what light was being used on the rock tank and it is a dual strip NO setup - very low light like my setup. The low light seems to curtail the algae growth.
Honestly though, if your system doesn't have a lot of stuff in it yet, I don't know that I wouldn't just go ahead and put it in there, and just run less light for a few weeks. Just a thought.
How about some pictures? :bum:
Insane Reefer
New member
The perlite does indeed seem to be truly inert.
One final test could be run for any doubters that might remain. Run the same series, but in saltwater, and leave it for a week. One thing I'd do would be to drop the pH in the saltwater into a range that buffering would naturally start to occur - say 7.5-8
I am sold already, though. I personally wouldn't bother with further testing.
My last remaining concern is something that will only be able to be tested for in real systems. The "Nitrate Sink" is something I worry about. After my "fight" with the jerk at the LFS about MMRL being a "Nitrate Sink" (though I think "detritus sink" would be a more appropriate term), I want to be able to say with conviction and confidence that this rock is a completely safe and healthy alternative to harvested or even cultured LR. Perlites "Filtration" and "Absorption" factors still make me wonder. But I am moving forward with Disco Dancing Rock (who I was told looks like the AOL avatar). I have some used saltwater from my weekend water change, that I will do a 3 day pH test in. If the pH is anything less than 9.5, I will put it in my bug tank.
We will see
Insane Reefer
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Jiffy Rock! Not Pop - don't want to get me sued, do you? lol
burblerboy
New member
Insane Reefer, I saw a link on the last split for colors to add, but the link doesn't work. I was wondering if you could post that again please, thank you
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