Who's makes their own rock?

[maxxII]

Cant remember the guy's name, but there is someone here on the board that makes rock out of cement and oyster shells.

Anybody know who it is? I'm interested in making (or having made) some rock support structures out of PVC plumbing coated with the cement mix and was looking for some guidance.

He gave a demonstration a few years ago at Mark's house when we went there for a tank tour...I wound up buying two pieces from him there...

Anybody?

Nick

 

[D-Rod]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=952524

 

[chadfarmer]

he made it in markk96s basement and you bought a piece of the rock from him

contact jim craig it was a tank tour and we went to goalie66s after that

 

[maxxII]

Thanks Chad,
I might have to go that route...


D-rod,
Thanks for the link, but I was looking for someone here locally who has been doing this for awhile.

Nick

 

[inwall75]

Nick,

The name isn't coming to me right now. However, I do remember this....

He lived in Illinois and he said one of the good local sources of chicken grit was the farmers market in Kirkwood.

Hope it helps.

 

[DrBDC]

I think all of the feed stores like Fenton Feed supply have the oyster, then it's mixed with portland cement and a whole lot of curing time.

 

[maxxII]

The lengthy cure time is what I was hoping to avoid.
Anyone know where I can get some Thorite?
Alledgedly, that does not require the same time to cure as regular cement mixes.

Nick

 

[Pkelley228]

http://www.thoroproducts.com/pdf_info/INF_WP_7.05.pdf

I am not sure this is what your looking for, but if it is you can get it at most good hardware stores like true value or ace

 

[Pkelley228]

I would also check with the larger pond stores, and also with swimming pool places, as they both use it to repair damage.

 

[Pkelley228]

http://www.thoroproducts.com/pdf_info/INF_WP_7.05.pdf

Check this one out also.

 

[maxxII]

Thanks for the heads up about that pat... cant open up those files on this computer....will do it later at home.
Thanks for the heads up about the pond/pool shops.

I tried using the pond foam to cover the pvc pipes.....waaaaaaayyyy to bouyant.....I put about 3o lbs of rock on it and I still couldnt get it under water.

Nick

 

[McBeck]

Damon Buehrer did the demo for us at Mark's place. Let me see if I can dig up some contact info for you.

 

[McBeck]

I emailed you his email addy.

 

[maxxII]

I got the email...thanks Mcbeck!

Nick

 

[ebe]

I make the COS/cement rock. I have a batch nearly cured now. I have enough for some trading if anyone is interested, zoos or mushrooms or other low light stuff. I am in Granite City.

 

[maxxII]

Thanks for the heads up! I might be contacting you shortly regarding some of your already cured stuff.

Nick

 

[levon15]

Whats the time frame on curing this stuff? Cost to make per lb?

Any pics ebe.

Just wanna see what yours looks like. I have seen very few made rocks that look very good when compared to decent LR.

I hope yours looks great, I just wanna peek.

 

[ebe]

I just posted a couple of pics of some rock I just did in my gallery. I am still expermenting on some bigger rocks now. I have been letting my rocks cure for 6+ weeks. Not expensive to make but takes a lot of time and mess.

 

[Reeferhead]

ebe,

Have you ever tried adding rock salt to the mix? I've read you can add it to make the rock more porus but have never tried it myself.

 

[ebe]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9583414#post9583414 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reeferhead
ebe,

Have you ever tried adding rock salt to the mix? I've read you can add it to make the rock more porus but have never tried it myself.

Yes, my last few batches I have folded in solar salt. The rocks are much more porous but also more fragile. You can't pour the rock nearly as thin as the straight cement/sand/oyster shell rocks. The rocks are much lighter with the salt. I am trying to find the right balance but I will be out of mix before I probably hit it.