How To Make Diy Rock??????????
- Thread starter grubsnaek
- Start date
zman1
Active Member
It's about a $1.50 cheaper in their stores -- I see the internet price of $9.49.
It's just like ordering sand online, you pay ton more money for shipping than the cost of the sand itself.
Rural King is where I got mine, we have a store in town. However, as an example their Ag. tank prices vary between stores. I drove 45 miles to another one and saved $25 on the same tank - gas....
It's just like ordering sand online, you pay ton more money for shipping than the cost of the sand itself.
Rural King is where I got mine, we have a store in town. However, as an example their Ag. tank prices vary between stores. I drove 45 miles to another one and saved $25 on the same tank - gas....
chuckcac
Member
call a local wild bird center... they may not have it but they may know where to get it...
i'm sure theres pleanty of places in NJ that have feed stores.
try google... thats how i found one right by me.
google new jersey horse & livestock feedstores.... you'll be very happy with the results...
$40 shipped is a rip-off... i got 50lbs for $14.99... trust me
i'm sure theres pleanty of places in NJ that have feed stores.
try google... thats how i found one right by me.
google new jersey horse & livestock feedstores.... you'll be very happy with the results...
$40 shipped is a rip-off... i got 50lbs for $14.99... trust me
nietzsche
Active Member
Originally Posted by renogaw
some people do both. I've read that some people put the rock in their toilet tanks, someone had said s/he put the rock out in the ocean. i would think freshwater would be easier, you're just trying to get the pH down quite a bit.
so the rocks wont absorb all the stuff in the tap water? im just wondering because im not sure if itll leech that stuff out into the tank
some people do both. I've read that some people put the rock in their toilet tanks, someone had said s/he put the rock out in the ocean. i would think freshwater would be easier, you're just trying to get the pH down quite a bit.
so the rocks wont absorb all the stuff in the tap water? im just wondering because im not sure if itll leech that stuff out into the tank
chuckcac
Member
Originally Posted by nietzsche
so the rocks wont absorb all the stuff in the tap water? im just wondering because im not sure if itll leech that stuff out into the tank
i am soaking my DIY rocks now for 3 weeks 6 days in fresh water straight from the hose... my plan has been; (read the research on GARF to map out this plan)
week one; soak in fresh water + 1/2 gallon distilled white vinegar
week two; change 100% fresh water + add 1/2 gallon distilled white vinegar
week 3; chage 100% fresh water -
... then continue to change 100% fresh water every other day until pH drops to 8.4...
then for an added measure of safety... when the pH is ok - i'll dump the fresh water + replace with 100% saltwater (old water from water changes) and let soak for final week....
thats my plan...
the vinegar (acid) is used to counter-act the rising alkalinity of the fresh water. i've read (GARF) that this method will help reduce the curing time of the rocks by about a week... (hope it works)
my resluts so far
week 1 - pH 'off-the-charts'
week 2 - pH 'off-the-charts' -no real change from week 1
week 3 - pH 8.8
week 4 - ( i'll tell ya on sunday)
hope this helps
so the rocks wont absorb all the stuff in the tap water? im just wondering because im not sure if itll leech that stuff out into the tank
i am soaking my DIY rocks now for 3 weeks 6 days in fresh water straight from the hose... my plan has been; (read the research on GARF to map out this plan)
week one; soak in fresh water + 1/2 gallon distilled white vinegar
week two; change 100% fresh water + add 1/2 gallon distilled white vinegar
week 3; chage 100% fresh water -
... then continue to change 100% fresh water every other day until pH drops to 8.4...
then for an added measure of safety... when the pH is ok - i'll dump the fresh water + replace with 100% saltwater (old water from water changes) and let soak for final week....
thats my plan...
the vinegar (acid) is used to counter-act the rising alkalinity of the fresh water. i've read (GARF) that this method will help reduce the curing time of the rocks by about a week... (hope it works)
my resluts so far
week 1 - pH 'off-the-charts'
week 2 - pH 'off-the-charts' -no real change from week 1
week 3 - pH 8.8
week 4 - ( i'll tell ya on sunday)
hope this helps
nietzsche
Active Member
Originally Posted by chuckcac
i am soaking my DIY rocks now for 3 weeks 6 days in fresh water straight from the hose... my plan has been; (read the research on GARF to map out this plan)
week one; soak in fresh water + 1/2 gallon distilled white vinegar
week two; change 100% fresh water + add 1/2 gallon distilled white vinegar
week 3; chage 100% fresh water -
... then continue to change 100% fresh water every other day until pH drops to 8.4...
then for an added measure of safety... when the pH is ok - i'll dump the fresh water + replace with 100% saltwater (old water from water changes) and let soak for final week....
thats my plan...
the vinegar (acid) is used to counter-act the rising alkalinity of the fresh water. i've read (GARF) that this method will help reduce the curing time of the rocks by about a week... (hope it works)
my resluts so far
week 1 - pH 'off-the-charts'
week 2 - pH 'off-the-charts' -no real change from week 1
week 3 - pH 8.8
week 4 - ( i'll tell ya on sunday)
hope this helps
so i can use tap water? what water do i check the pH in?
i was following the -- forum about the ultimate diy rock, but now it says to check the pH in saltwater. i was just wondering if by any chance leaving the rock soaking in tap water it wouldnt absorb any metals or anything that would leech back into the tank.
also says that if you leave the rock out for 2-3 weeks that the pH will lower on its own before placing into bins of water "Rocks during this 2-4 week period will naturally loose pH - from 12-13 at casting time down to 9-10, with NO WATER USED."
i am soaking my DIY rocks now for 3 weeks 6 days in fresh water straight from the hose... my plan has been; (read the research on GARF to map out this plan)
week one; soak in fresh water + 1/2 gallon distilled white vinegar
week two; change 100% fresh water + add 1/2 gallon distilled white vinegar
week 3; chage 100% fresh water -
... then continue to change 100% fresh water every other day until pH drops to 8.4...
then for an added measure of safety... when the pH is ok - i'll dump the fresh water + replace with 100% saltwater (old water from water changes) and let soak for final week....
thats my plan...
the vinegar (acid) is used to counter-act the rising alkalinity of the fresh water. i've read (GARF) that this method will help reduce the curing time of the rocks by about a week... (hope it works)
my resluts so far
week 1 - pH 'off-the-charts'
week 2 - pH 'off-the-charts' -no real change from week 1
week 3 - pH 8.8
week 4 - ( i'll tell ya on sunday)
hope this helps
so i can use tap water? what water do i check the pH in?
i was following the -- forum about the ultimate diy rock, but now it says to check the pH in saltwater. i was just wondering if by any chance leaving the rock soaking in tap water it wouldnt absorb any metals or anything that would leech back into the tank.
also says that if you leave the rock out for 2-3 weeks that the pH will lower on its own before placing into bins of water "Rocks during this 2-4 week period will naturally loose pH - from 12-13 at casting time down to 9-10, with NO WATER USED."
chuckcac
Member
Originally Posted by nietzsche
so i can use tap water? what water do i check the pH in?
i was following the -- forum about the ultimate diy rock, but now it says to check the pH in saltwater. i was just wondering if by any chance leaving the rock soaking in tap water it wouldnt absorb any metals or anything that would leech back into the tank.
also says that if you leave the rock out for 2-3 weeks that the pH will lower on its own before placing into bins of water "Rocks during this 2-4 week period will naturally loose pH - from 12-13 at casting time down to 9-10, with NO WATER USED."
yes that is true... (any)conrete will loose a large percentageof its alkalinity during the first 48 hours of curing... that is also the timeframe where the concrete will obtain most of it's compression strength. The portland cement is what gives the DIY rock such a high pH reading because it is alkaline due to the lye content....
as far as the rock absorbing metals or any other TDS in you tap water... i haven't come across any research that shows that to be a problem...(if you read something about that , let me know where i can read it too...
) other wise -i wouldn't worry about that....
as far as testing the pH--- you can test the pH of the fresh water... any test kit will give you a reading of pH regardles of it being fresh or salt... (if you read the box of most pH kits they say fresh or marine just be sure to use the 'high range' kit)
you will want to test the water after it has had a chance to soak in the water for 24 hours... ie; change 100% water on saturday afternoon.... test the water on sunday afternoon...
have you checked out GARF? the have a great DIY rock lesson with little movies n stuff... + lots of good experiments to read
so i can use tap water? what water do i check the pH in?
i was following the -- forum about the ultimate diy rock, but now it says to check the pH in saltwater. i was just wondering if by any chance leaving the rock soaking in tap water it wouldnt absorb any metals or anything that would leech back into the tank.
also says that if you leave the rock out for 2-3 weeks that the pH will lower on its own before placing into bins of water "Rocks during this 2-4 week period will naturally loose pH - from 12-13 at casting time down to 9-10, with NO WATER USED."
yes that is true... (any)conrete will loose a large percentageof its alkalinity during the first 48 hours of curing... that is also the timeframe where the concrete will obtain most of it's compression strength. The portland cement is what gives the DIY rock such a high pH reading because it is alkaline due to the lye content....
as far as the rock absorbing metals or any other TDS in you tap water... i haven't come across any research that shows that to be a problem...(if you read something about that , let me know where i can read it too...
as far as testing the pH--- you can test the pH of the fresh water... any test kit will give you a reading of pH regardles of it being fresh or salt... (if you read the box of most pH kits they say fresh or marine just be sure to use the 'high range' kit)
you will want to test the water after it has had a chance to soak in the water for 24 hours... ie; change 100% water on saturday afternoon.... test the water on sunday afternoon...
have you checked out GARF? the have a great DIY rock lesson with little movies n stuff... + lots of good experiments to read
nietzsche
Active Member
Originally Posted by chuckcac
yes that is true... (any)conrete will loose a large percentageof its alkalinity during the first 48 hours of curing... that is also the timeframe where the concrete will obtain most of it's compression strength. The portland cement is what gives the DIY rock such a high pH reading because it is alkaline due to the lye content....
as far as the rock absorbing metals or any other TDS in you tap water... i haven't come across any research that shows that to be a problem...(if you read something about that , let me know where i can read it too...
) other wise -i wouldn't worry about that....
as far as testing the pH--- you can test the pH of the fresh water... any test kit will give you a reading of pH regardles of it being fresh or salt... (if you read the box of most pH kits they say fresh or marine just be sure to use the 'high range' kit)
you will want to test the water after it has had a chance to soak in the water for 24 hours... ie; change 100% water on saturday afternoon.... test the water on sunday afternoon...
have you checked out GARF? the have a great DIY rock lesson with little movies n stuff... + lots of good experiments to read
thanks for the help. i was just wondering if they did absorb anything or not. i have some rocks that are ready, but was skeptical about it for a while. also since i used the water softner the outside is still brittle, so im not sure if i want it to flake in my tank. guess ill have to try at another batch
yes that is true... (any)conrete will loose a large percentageof its alkalinity during the first 48 hours of curing... that is also the timeframe where the concrete will obtain most of it's compression strength. The portland cement is what gives the DIY rock such a high pH reading because it is alkaline due to the lye content....
as far as the rock absorbing metals or any other TDS in you tap water... i haven't come across any research that shows that to be a problem...(if you read something about that , let me know where i can read it too...
as far as testing the pH--- you can test the pH of the fresh water... any test kit will give you a reading of pH regardles of it being fresh or salt... (if you read the box of most pH kits they say fresh or marine just be sure to use the 'high range' kit)
you will want to test the water after it has had a chance to soak in the water for 24 hours... ie; change 100% water on saturday afternoon.... test the water on sunday afternoon...
have you checked out GARF? the have a great DIY rock lesson with little movies n stuff... + lots of good experiments to read
thanks for the help. i was just wondering if they did absorb anything or not. i have some rocks that are ready, but was skeptical about it for a while. also since i used the water softner the outside is still brittle, so im not sure if i want it to flake in my tank. guess ill have to try at another batch
chuckcac
Member
Originally Posted by nietzsche
thanks for the help. i was just wondering if they did absorb anything or not. i have some rocks that are ready, but was skeptical about it for a while. also since i used the water softner the outside is still brittle, so im not sure if i want it to flake in my tank. guess ill have to try at another batch
what ratio did you use to make em'?
i used
7 parts oyster shell
2 parts cement (type I/II)
2 parts water
they're both strong & pourous....
too much cement = higher strenth/ less porosity
too little cement = less strenth / more porosity
thanks for the help. i was just wondering if they did absorb anything or not. i have some rocks that are ready, but was skeptical about it for a while. also since i used the water softner the outside is still brittle, so im not sure if i want it to flake in my tank. guess ill have to try at another batch
what ratio did you use to make em'?
i used
7 parts oyster shell
2 parts cement (type I/II)
2 parts water
they're both strong & pourous....
too much cement = higher strenth/ less porosity
too little cement = less strenth / more porosity