Electrobes
Montipora type guy
That's incredible, I would not have thought that so little could do so much!
The Ultimate DIY Rocks!
- Thread starter JohnL
- Start date
That's incredible, I would not have thought that so little could do so much!
michaelalan
New member
Electrobes- I don't remember how far away the distributor was.
Dr Wilson- so what's the ratio with Perlite as the aggregrate?
Dr Wilson- so what's the ratio with Perlite as the aggregrate?
mr.wilson
.Registered Member
You will have to suffer the torture of searching back in this thread. I'm an mr. not a dr., I've never used the stuff. I like to keep the rock calcareous, but it may not prove to make that much of a biological or chemical difference with volcanic or quartz/silica aggregate. I would use perlite if it offered any advantages for your particular needs.
michaelalan
New member
lol, I think I called you Dr Wilson once before. Hey, you're on the internet you can say you're anything!
Yeah, the concrete rocks are so heavy I'm looking to lighten this up a little with the perlite.
Anyone else?
Yeah, the concrete rocks are so heavy I'm looking to lighten this up a little with the perlite.
Anyone else?
Electrobes
Montipora type guy
Hey Michael my current mix is 1 cement : 1.5-2 Perlite : 1.5-2 Aragonite
I can definitely tell the difference in weight, I used to use dolomite with the same above portions (Just switch out perlite with dolomite and that's what I was using).
I can definitely tell the difference in weight, I used to use dolomite with the same above portions (Just switch out perlite with dolomite and that's what I was using).
Electrobes
Montipora type guy
I forgot to mention, I did contact WR Grace and am also getting a run around, but finally got two things:
1) I found the sales rep. for the Carolinas, but am waiting on him to call me back (I left a message... am surprised he didn't get back to me today).
2) If all else fails, I can order directly from the company via the customer service center. This would definitely mean I'd have to pay for shipping, but I sincerely doubt there are any local distributors near me, just being extra sure I guess. This will be my most likely option.
1) I found the sales rep. for the Carolinas, but am waiting on him to call me back (I left a message... am surprised he didn't get back to me today).
2) If all else fails, I can order directly from the company via the customer service center. This would definitely mean I'd have to pay for shipping, but I sincerely doubt there are any local distributors near me, just being extra sure I guess. This will be my most likely option.
DeathWish302
Clown Hoarder
WT.....
Do you know minimum quantity they will require? That ticks me off if they're willing to sell smaller quantities in the SE region and not the Central/North East region. If you get anywhere with Grace let me know. I would be willing to pay you for some. We can PM details if it goes that far and your willing to ship to my address. I'd even throw in a little extra for your labor...
They told me absolutely NOT less than the minimum I stated earlier.... I have half a notion to call them through work and see if I get the same story, especially since I would only need half a bag of silica fume at most for the next half century!
Electrobes
Montipora type guy
That is weird deathwish, what I forgot to ask the lady was whether I would get wholesale pricing or not, whether she was selling more specific amounts to me because I was a business. I'll find out when the sales rep hopefully calls me today. He'll prob tell me there is no one in the area who can do what I need, and to order straight from the company.
I know I can get microsilica (Silica Fume) from Elkem as a business, but the other components I would have to get elsewhere assuming WR Grace falls through.
I can't remember what the specific amount was, but I think it was 25lbs bags. I don't know the quantities for the other components though.
I know I can get microsilica (Silica Fume) from Elkem as a business, but the other components I would have to get elsewhere assuming WR Grace falls through.
I can't remember what the specific amount was, but I think it was 25lbs bags. I don't know the quantities for the other components though.
MrineLfRlz
Active member
well i havent read through this entire thread thats for sure just skimming took so time to do lol
im upgrading to a 210-220 tank as soon as i can afford one and have really been thinking about doing a rock wall in back to hide my overflows and some of the back wall i really like this type of rock work and ive seen quit a few great looking walls do you all think you can put up a compilation of pics of them just for new reference?
also will probably be doing some DIY rocks too well im sure i will accually
this is a great way and cheap to get some really good filtration going in a system from what ive read and seen so far
but a important question on the rock walls is it still porous or do you make it alot more solid since its up against the whole side of the tank in another words does it need to be solid for stability?
thanks
im upgrading to a 210-220 tank as soon as i can afford one and have really been thinking about doing a rock wall in back to hide my overflows and some of the back wall i really like this type of rock work and ive seen quit a few great looking walls do you all think you can put up a compilation of pics of them just for new reference?
also will probably be doing some DIY rocks too well im sure i will accually
this is a great way and cheap to get some really good filtration going in a system from what ive read and seen so far
but a important question on the rock walls is it still porous or do you make it alot more solid since its up against the whole side of the tank in another words does it need to be solid for stability?
thanks
Electrobes
Montipora type guy
I'm pretty sure I understood what you said, and I'll try to answer you:
- There are other threads that have rock walls as their topic. I would do a search and find them, you can definitely expect pictures in there. Here are some examples:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1438807&highlight=rock+wall
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1375191&highlight=rock+wall
As for the question regarding porosity and wall strength:
- No the rock wall does not have to be more solid to ensure against loss of strength. A lot of the support will come from the egg crate (It's what most people use). There are many methods to make rock walls, but all with the ability to have quite porous surfaces.
- My biggest advice about making a rock wall is to remember to not make it in one piece but various pieces. Try to make the borders jagged so it's harder to see the borders between each piece of the rock wall. The threads that you can find here will show you what I mean.
HTH
- There are other threads that have rock walls as their topic. I would do a search and find them, you can definitely expect pictures in there. Here are some examples:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1438807&highlight=rock+wall
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1375191&highlight=rock+wall
As for the question regarding porosity and wall strength:
- No the rock wall does not have to be more solid to ensure against loss of strength. A lot of the support will come from the egg crate (It's what most people use). There are many methods to make rock walls, but all with the ability to have quite porous surfaces.
- My biggest advice about making a rock wall is to remember to not make it in one piece but various pieces. Try to make the borders jagged so it's harder to see the borders between each piece of the rock wall. The threads that you can find here will show you what I mean.
HTH
MrineLfRlz
Active member
im checking out these threads right now just wanted to tab back and say thanks
michaelalan
New member
Electrobes, yeah, I really like the looks of your rock.
I picked up a huge bag of perlite yesterday, nice and light.
What are you using for aragonite? (or what are you buying)
I picked up a huge bag of perlite yesterday, nice and light.
What are you using for aragonite? (or what are you buying)
Electrobes
Montipora type guy
I am buying aragonite wholesale, minimum order is 2,000 lbs. It took me about 5 months to convince them to go lower than a truckload! Having it shipped is the hardest thing (It's imported and expensive) as you have to use custom shippers. 
Electrobes
Montipora type guy
Well the WR Grace rep is getting me samples, but it looks like I'll have to order it direct. They do sell 25lbs bags of the stuff, but I am not sure if that is retail or not. He forgot to give me pricing.
Yes people do it. People will place rubble, frag plugs, or small pieces of rock in the tank.
Chlorine will gas off in about 24 hours. If you are worried use a dechlorinator or do a few WC with RO/DI.
The only concern is if you have had a toilet cleaning product like 3000 flushes sitting in the bowl. Some think that the rock could uptake the chemicals.
Chlorine will gas off in about 24 hours. If you are worried use a dechlorinator or do a few WC with RO/DI.
The only concern is if you have had a toilet cleaning product like 3000 flushes sitting in the bowl. Some think that the rock could uptake the chemicals.
mr.wilson
.Registered Member
Chlorine would off-gas quickly and leave no residual. You may have phosphate bind if your water company uses phosphate-based pipe cleaners. Cement absorbs phosphate readily. An acid wash will remove it though. You won't fit many rocks in the toilet tank and you may mess up your float if you aren't careful.
Remember to drink lots of beer to keep the water changes frequent
Remember to drink lots of beer to keep the water changes frequent
This won't be a problem.
der_wille_zur_macht
Team RC
All,
I made a whole bunch of rock several years ago for a few tanks (before this thread originally took off), but haven't made any since. I'm about to start making rock for a ~250g. I really enjoyed both the process and the result last time - for me, it was one of the most creative aspects of setting up those tanks. What I'd like is if a few of the experienced rock makers could give me a gut check before I actually get started this time, since it's been a few years.
I'm lazy enough that I want to make this all from easy, local ingredients. I have access to:
1) Regular old Quickrete Type I portland cement (Home Depot)
2) White play sand, which is clearly silica (HD, again)
3) Several big bags of crushed coral left over from other projects (my basement!)
The only thing that seems questionable is the silica sand. Last time, I used aragonite sand, since it was easily available locally (the famous Southdown sand, which isn't stocked around here any more, even under the various alternative brandings). Is this OK?
I've seen reference that silica sand is safe, but it always seems to be made in passing. I disn't seem to notice that any of the major players in this thread using it. I could go spend roughly $1/pound on aragonite sand at the LFS, but I'd rather not if I don't need to.
Last time I made it, I did the classic water curing process - a few days after molding, I put the pieces in a trashcan full of water, and changed the water every few days for a month. This time, I'm gonna try letting them sit more or less dry for a few weeks, then a quicker water cure (hopefully).
Thoughts?
I made a whole bunch of rock several years ago for a few tanks (before this thread originally took off), but haven't made any since. I'm about to start making rock for a ~250g. I really enjoyed both the process and the result last time - for me, it was one of the most creative aspects of setting up those tanks. What I'd like is if a few of the experienced rock makers could give me a gut check before I actually get started this time, since it's been a few years.
I'm lazy enough that I want to make this all from easy, local ingredients. I have access to:
1) Regular old Quickrete Type I portland cement (Home Depot)
2) White play sand, which is clearly silica (HD, again)
3) Several big bags of crushed coral left over from other projects (my basement!)
The only thing that seems questionable is the silica sand. Last time, I used aragonite sand, since it was easily available locally (the famous Southdown sand, which isn't stocked around here any more, even under the various alternative brandings). Is this OK?
I've seen reference that silica sand is safe, but it always seems to be made in passing. I disn't seem to notice that any of the major players in this thread using it. I could go spend roughly $1/pound on aragonite sand at the LFS, but I'd rather not if I don't need to.
Last time I made it, I did the classic water curing process - a few days after molding, I put the pieces in a trashcan full of water, and changed the water every few days for a month. This time, I'm gonna try letting them sit more or less dry for a few weeks, then a quicker water cure (hopefully).
Thoughts?
