concrete LR

[spkdtch]

i made a batch of it a few months ago and its been curing for 6-8 weeks if not longer.
What is an acceptable PH level in the freshwater its curing in?
i want to know when its ready to go in my DT, it PH still rises, but not very much, goes from 7.5(straight from the tap) to about 8.5 at the highest, normally between 8.0-8.5, so im guessing 8.3 for the freshwater test
if i need to cure it longer, thats fine, im just not sure what the acceptable level is before i put it in my DT
right now, all of it is curing in a large tub in my basement and id like to put it in my DT either this weekend or fairly soon

 

[tropills]

I would give it a couple more weeks myself. keep the water changes up on the rock and test it again in a week or so if it is the same your good to go. 8.5 is a little high but not that bad. how old is the tank it's going into ? you could start adding a couple pieces at a time and test your main tank for any spikes in PH. IMO I would still hold off for a couple more weeks.

 

[spkdtch]

tanks 3-4 months old, building a reef
and im surprised the LR took so long to cure, they suggest a month, im already over 2 months and still not ready, oh well, they are dense pieces so im not that surprised, just anxious

 

[taznut]

would you post pics to the concrete lr??? can you put that in a new tank with some real lr to start the cycle???

 

[spanko]

The biggest thing is that you check the Ph of the water it is curing in when first changed and then a couple of days later. If you see the Ph rise it is not ready.

 

[taznut]

Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/2993395
The biggest thing is that you check the Ph of the water it is curing in when first changed and then a couple of days later. If you see the Ph rise it is not ready.
so i cant use it to cycle if the ph is still changing?

 

[spanko]

I wouldn't. The change in Ph in your tank would be a very bad thing.

 

[pissyfish]

i've been thinking about this for my 60 gal... considering i've dropped a grand on my 30 reef tank already lol. what brand/mix would i buy? and did you use styrophome forms and cover it with the crete?

 

[vinnyraptor]

Originally Posted by spkdtch
http:///forum/post/2986947
i made a batch of it a few months ago and its been curing for 6-8 weeks if not longer.
What is an acceptable PH level in the freshwater its curing in?
i want to know when its ready to go in my DT, it PH still rises, but not very much, goes from 7.5(straight from the tap) to about 8.5 at the highest, normally between 8.0-8.5, so im guessing 8.3 for the freshwater test
if i need to cure it longer, thats fine, im just not sure what the acceptable level is before i put it in my DT
right now, all of it is curing in a large tub in my basement and id like to put it in my DT either this weekend or fairly soon
mine took about 10 weeks... check my thread 1st batch of homemade LR in the aquacultured livestock thread.