kwolfskill
Member
Great looking rock!
Is it a bunch of rocks so that you can change the aquascaping, or is one rock? Gee, at the price of live rock these days, that stuff is a steal!!!
My Aragacrete - Pic
- Thread starter vayapues
- Start date
nel621
Member
Originally Posted by vayapues
http:///forum/post/2556744
Thank you. I was scared as I made it, that the arches would simply fall apart when I tried to pick the rock up. I doubt I will ever make anything that big again. I think I am very lucky I did not drop it and break something.
Thankfully, the center divider on my tank comes out.
I have never heard of a large tank having a removeable center brace.It would defeat the purpose of the brace.Just wondering.
http:///forum/post/2556744
Thank you. I was scared as I made it, that the arches would simply fall apart when I tried to pick the rock up. I doubt I will ever make anything that big again. I think I am very lucky I did not drop it and break something.
Thankfully, the center divider on my tank comes out.
I have never heard of a large tank having a removeable center brace.It would defeat the purpose of the brace.Just wondering.
vayapues
Member
Originally Posted by azul1994
http:///forum/post/2557905
Wow that looks awesome! So whats the plans for this tank? Reef or Fish Only?
Reef. Hoping to put a few tangs in as well.
http:///forum/post/2557905
Wow that looks awesome! So whats the plans for this tank? Reef or Fish Only?
Reef. Hoping to put a few tangs in as well.
the egregious
Member
How exactly did you mold it?
vayapues
Member
Originally Posted by mkzimms
http:///forum/post/2557928
can we get an upclose shot? i'd like to see the detail, from here it looks really really nice. i wouldn't mind learning how if you were to create a how-to thread.
Absolutely. Right now it is too dark in that room, and the temporary lighting currently on that tank is not bright enough. I will snap some in the manana.
http:///forum/post/2557928
can we get an upclose shot? i'd like to see the detail, from here it looks really really nice. i wouldn't mind learning how if you were to create a how-to thread.
Absolutely. Right now it is too dark in that room, and the temporary lighting currently on that tank is not bright enough. I will snap some in the manana.
vayapues
Member
Originally Posted by reefkprZ
http:///forum/post/2558001
it looks really nice.
are you going to add live rock? so you can change around your aquascaping in the future or or is that going to be it for your tank ********?
My plan is to place some live rock in from another tank for awhile to seed it, and then remove it. Ultimately, it will be all that is in the tank.
http:///forum/post/2558001
it looks really nice.
are you going to add live rock? so you can change around your aquascaping in the future or or is that going to be it for your tank ********?
My plan is to place some live rock in from another tank for awhile to seed it, and then remove it. Ultimately, it will be all that is in the tank.
vayapues
Member
Originally Posted by natclanwy
http:///forum/post/2558136
It just occurred to me what did you use for a mold?
I added enough water so that the cement was the consistency of clay. For the bottom I used a sandbox, with groves dug into the sand. I shoveled the cement into the groves, and then went over it with my hands, creating irregularities on the top. (using latex gloves to protect my hands)
As the salt dissolved, it left a number of pits behind making it look even more natural.
http:///forum/post/2558136
It just occurred to me what did you use for a mold?
I added enough water so that the cement was the consistency of clay. For the bottom I used a sandbox, with groves dug into the sand. I shoveled the cement into the groves, and then went over it with my hands, creating irregularities on the top. (using latex gloves to protect my hands)
As the salt dissolved, it left a number of pits behind making it look even more natural.
scopus tang
Active Member
That looks pretty cool! I set up my personal 65 with man-made rock as well, but I purchased it already cured from Garf. I've been thinking about making my own as well, but I'm wondering if the dissolving starch pellets that are used for shipping would work in place of the cheatos or salt pellets ~ any thoughts? Also, what did you use for the plastic chips in your mix, or did you use something else completely? Thanks
vayapues
Member
Originally Posted by Scopus Tang
http:///forum/post/2558925
That looks pretty cool! I set up my personal 65 with man-made rock as well, but I purchased it already cured from Garf. I've been thinking about making my own as well, but I'm wondering if the dissolving starch pellets that are used for shipping would work in place of the cheatos or salt pellets ~ any thoughts? Also, what did you use for the plastic chips in your mix, or did you use something else completely? Thanks
That looks great. Garf had some of the most useful information on DIY rock that I read.
Starch in place of salt is a great idea. One of the downsides to using salt, is that it weakens the strength of the concrete. Cement cured in salt water is weaker than cement cured in fresh water. Even with regular water changes, the water becomes salty very quickly as the salt dissolves.
Regarding plastic chips, I didn't use any. Had I to do it over again, I would.
Let me ask you, is the purpose of the plastic solely for additional strength, or does it serve other purposes? I have read that it might also help promote coraline growth.
http:///forum/post/2558925
That looks pretty cool! I set up my personal 65 with man-made rock as well, but I purchased it already cured from Garf. I've been thinking about making my own as well, but I'm wondering if the dissolving starch pellets that are used for shipping would work in place of the cheatos or salt pellets ~ any thoughts? Also, what did you use for the plastic chips in your mix, or did you use something else completely? Thanks
That looks great. Garf had some of the most useful information on DIY rock that I read.
Starch in place of salt is a great idea. One of the downsides to using salt, is that it weakens the strength of the concrete. Cement cured in salt water is weaker than cement cured in fresh water. Even with regular water changes, the water becomes salty very quickly as the salt dissolves.
Regarding plastic chips, I didn't use any. Had I to do it over again, I would.
Let me ask you, is the purpose of the plastic solely for additional strength, or does it serve other purposes? I have read that it might also help promote coraline growth.
vayapues
Member
Video I shot during a water change that shows how porous the rock is. You can literally pour water right through it.
Video Here
Video Here
scopus tang
Active Member
Originally Posted by vayapues
http:///forum/post/2560069
That looks great. Garf had some of the most useful information on DIY rock that I read.
Starch in place of salt is a great idea. One of the downsides to using salt, is that it weakens the strength of the concrete. Cement cured in salt water is weaker than cement cured in fresh water. Even with regular water changes, the water becomes salty very quickly as the salt dissolves.
Regarding plastic chips, I didn't use any. Had I to do it over again, I would.
Let me ask you, is the purpose of the plastic solely for additional strength, or does it serve other purposes? I have read that it might also help promote coraline growth.
Thanks, if/when I do it again, I want to do my own like you, so that I can build the shapes I want. I really wanted an arch, but with what they sent, there really isn't room. Based on the size of chips recommended, I can't imagine that it has anything to do with strength. My guess would be that its primarily for coralline growth, as it tends to show up there prior to anywhere else ~ but I don't know for sure. I've considered saving pvc "dust" from cutting pvc pipe and using it for the plastic chips, though the white color would tend to stand out I think ~ once it covered with coralline it wouldn't matter.
http:///forum/post/2560069
That looks great. Garf had some of the most useful information on DIY rock that I read.
Starch in place of salt is a great idea. One of the downsides to using salt, is that it weakens the strength of the concrete. Cement cured in salt water is weaker than cement cured in fresh water. Even with regular water changes, the water becomes salty very quickly as the salt dissolves.
Regarding plastic chips, I didn't use any. Had I to do it over again, I would.
Let me ask you, is the purpose of the plastic solely for additional strength, or does it serve other purposes? I have read that it might also help promote coraline growth.
Thanks, if/when I do it again, I want to do my own like you, so that I can build the shapes I want. I really wanted an arch, but with what they sent, there really isn't room. Based on the size of chips recommended, I can't imagine that it has anything to do with strength. My guess would be that its primarily for coralline growth, as it tends to show up there prior to anywhere else ~ but I don't know for sure. I've considered saving pvc "dust" from cutting pvc pipe and using it for the plastic chips, though the white color would tend to stand out I think ~ once it covered with coralline it wouldn't matter.
jawja peach
New Member
WOW! This is SO COOL! TFS!
I will be watching this thread with avid interest! Can't wait to see more!
I will be watching this thread with avid interest! Can't wait to see more!
A
alexmir
Guest
Originally Posted by natclanwy
http:///forum/post/2558016
Just so you know you need to cure DIY rock by itself until the PH levels out or you will kill everything on your live rock.
I know, i was planning to cure it with live rock after I got the rock stabalized. Thanks for the looking out though!
http:///forum/post/2558016
Just so you know you need to cure DIY rock by itself until the PH levels out or you will kill everything on your live rock.
I know, i was planning to cure it with live rock after I got the rock stabalized. Thanks for the looking out though!
slt wtr stupid
Member
Dont mean to hijack you thread but i have a question maybe you could answer.
The recipe that i've been using is 5 cups oyster shell about 1 1/2 cups I/II portland and 1 1/2 cups water. My rocks are turning out great but the oyster shell that i have bought comes in 5lb bags and its 8 bucks. All the feed stores around here sell what they call hard shell which is calcium carbonate. I thought i found a store that sold 50 lb bags of crushed oyster but when my husband got home with it, it also has silica Quartz in it and i was wondering if i could use either of these, I can get them for about 7-9.00 for a 50 lb bag?
any have any idea?
The recipe that i've been using is 5 cups oyster shell about 1 1/2 cups I/II portland and 1 1/2 cups water. My rocks are turning out great but the oyster shell that i have bought comes in 5lb bags and its 8 bucks. All the feed stores around here sell what they call hard shell which is calcium carbonate. I thought i found a store that sold 50 lb bags of crushed oyster but when my husband got home with it, it also has silica Quartz in it and i was wondering if i could use either of these, I can get them for about 7-9.00 for a 50 lb bag?
any have any idea?
vayapues
Member
Originally Posted by slt wtr stupid
http:///forum/post/2561452
Dont mean to hijack you thread but i have a question maybe you could answer.
The recipe that i've been using is 5 cups oyster shell about 1 1/2 cups I/II portland and 1 1/2 cups water. My rocks are turning out great but the oyster shell that i have bought comes in 5lb bags and its 8 bucks. All the feed stores around here sell what they call hard shell which is calcium carbonate. I thought i found a store that sold 50 lb bags of crushed oyster but when my husband got home with it, it also has silica Quartz in it and i was wondering if i could use either of these, I can get them for about 7-9.00 for a 50 lb bag?
any have any idea?
The 'feed' is not nutritional, but is used to break down food in the gizzard of poultry. Quartz is fine in your rock, since the quartz is stable, and will not leach anything harmful into the water. The only 'downside' is that you will not get the PH buffering that you would get from the same volume another material. Other than that, it will function just the same as anything else, and serve its purpose.
If it were me however, I would spend a little extra now, and save myself down the road. JMO of course.
http:///forum/post/2561452
Dont mean to hijack you thread but i have a question maybe you could answer.
The recipe that i've been using is 5 cups oyster shell about 1 1/2 cups I/II portland and 1 1/2 cups water. My rocks are turning out great but the oyster shell that i have bought comes in 5lb bags and its 8 bucks. All the feed stores around here sell what they call hard shell which is calcium carbonate. I thought i found a store that sold 50 lb bags of crushed oyster but when my husband got home with it, it also has silica Quartz in it and i was wondering if i could use either of these, I can get them for about 7-9.00 for a 50 lb bag?
any have any idea?
The 'feed' is not nutritional, but is used to break down food in the gizzard of poultry. Quartz is fine in your rock, since the quartz is stable, and will not leach anything harmful into the water. The only 'downside' is that you will not get the PH buffering that you would get from the same volume another material. Other than that, it will function just the same as anything else, and serve its purpose.
If it were me however, I would spend a little extra now, and save myself down the road. JMO of course.
mscarpena
Member
Originally Posted by Scopus Tang
http:///forum/post/2558925
That looks pretty cool! I set up my personal 65 with man-made rock as well, but I purchased it already cured from Garf. I've been thinking about making my own as well, but I'm wondering if the dissolving starch pellets that are used for shipping would work in place of the cheatos or salt pellets ~ any thoughts? Also, what did you use for the plastic chips in your mix, or did you use something else completely? Thanks
The only issue I see with the starch pellets are they are very flexible and would dissinigrate very quickly. Probably too quickly for this application. JUst my though though.
http:///forum/post/2558925
That looks pretty cool! I set up my personal 65 with man-made rock as well, but I purchased it already cured from Garf. I've been thinking about making my own as well, but I'm wondering if the dissolving starch pellets that are used for shipping would work in place of the cheatos or salt pellets ~ any thoughts? Also, what did you use for the plastic chips in your mix, or did you use something else completely? Thanks
The only issue I see with the starch pellets are they are very flexible and would dissinigrate very quickly. Probably too quickly for this application. JUst my though though.