To answer your question on how Im curing my rock. Ive placed it in a rubber made tube in fresh water with a heater and a recirculating pump ,also I am injecting carbon dioxoide gas into the water with a bubble stone to quiken the conversion of the cement into calcium carbonate.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/389019/my-new-90-gallon-tank-build#post_3445875
The presence of heavy metals in the clinker arises both from the natural raw materials and from the use of recycled by-products or alternative fuels. The high pH prevailing in the cement porewater (12.5 < pH < 13.5) limits the mobility of many heavy metals by decreasing their solubility and increasing their sorption onto the cement mineral phases. Nickel, zinc and lead are commonly found in cement in non-negligible concentrations. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cement
There's also this link on Gypsum - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gypsum, Gypsum is a common ingredient in Portland cement and commonly contains copper as well, depending on the source.
While burnt lime (calcium carbonate) is the main ingredient in Portland cement, it will still contain other elements (Nickel, Zinc, Copper, and lead) once it is cured. Cement does not "change into" calcium carbonate if it is primarily made of calcium carbonate and gypsum. Gypsum is what actually keeps the cement hardened together because it dissolves in water really easily... it's a hydrogeous sulfate... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulfate_mineral once binded to calcium carbonate, it remains hardened and chemically bound.
I'm not trying to be mean at all!! I'm just trying to bring up some concerns and let you think deeply about it first. I don't care what you do... I just hope that you consider the information presented.
A box of dry base rock from like... Marco rocks goes for pretty cheap and I think they even have free delivery. A couple pieces of acrylic rods, zip ties and his special reef morter could give you any look and feel you would want. I'm not a spokesperson for the company - I'm just saying there are easier ways.
How are you curing your rock by the way? I think some people make cement frag plugs and put them in the back of their toilets... every time they flush, it's a water change! how bout that? lol
I'm curious if you could shoot me the link where you found that information?