Another DIY Rock

Psycho graphic · 10-19-2006, 09:58 PM

Big deal, it's just a rock, right?

Not when you look from behind.

Maybe it's missing something.

Yes that is my missing OFB and the return line hidden in there, my niece had the OFB all along. A pic from the back.

And finally from in the tank.

Tonyscoots84 · 10-19-2006, 11:14 PM

explain?

how was the rock made...
do u plan on putting anything on the floor of the tank to protect it..
do u have to cook or cure the rock u made (high ph)

talk to us

... just dont throw pics at us

Psycho graphic · 10-19-2006, 11:28 PM

I posted the recipe on another thread which is why I did'nt put it here. But here it is again.1 part Portland to 4 parts rock salt. I mix the portland to a fairly dry mix, then add the salt. I covered these parts with a plasic garbage bag, the Portland does'nt stick to the bag, making removal a snap. After shaping the rock, let it sit 2 days before removing the "mold". Yes you DO need to cure it untill the Ph stablizes. Daily water changes are a must unless you plan to wait a l o n g time for it to cure. My last batch is going in a stream behind a friends house.

I have never protected my bottom from the rocks before, but I think I will this time.

It was hard to see in these pics, here is a better pic of an arch I made, I used plastic coat hangers for the framework for it.

drunktank · 10-19-2006, 11:40 PM

how is that stuff going to be beneficial to your tank? it doesnt look porous at all

aaron23 · 10-19-2006, 11:47 PM

hmm very outstanding idea with the rock. Very cool how you did all of that yourself. Very nice pics.
I agree with jon the rock isnt porous its solid. Where is the bacteria going to come from and where will it be housed?

Psycho graphic · 10-19-2006, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drunktank


	how is that stuff going to be beneficial to your tank? it doesnt look porous at all

It's 3/4 rock salt which dissolves in the curing process, leaving plenty of holes in it.

aaron23 · 10-20-2006, 12:10 AM

hm... im extremely interested in pics as to how this comes out after its been cured..

House of Laughter · 10-20-2006, 01:07 AM

You can buffer the PH with crushed oyster shells that you can find at any feed shop - only problem is finding a feed shop ;-)

That helps buffer the PH - interesting idea with the rock salt, but curious to see how it gets pourous

House

masterswimmer · 10-20-2006, 03:05 AM

Rock salt will 'eat away' at the portland mix. When the salt dissolves it will have created a void where the salt was. Hence the porosity of the structure. I like the idea a lot. I'm psyched to see the tank full and maturing. I can easily envision coral growing all over those surfaces.

Great job D.

swimmer

**jhale** · 10-20-2006, 03:12 AM

that's a similar idea to reef ceramics. instead of salt they add metal to thier mix and fire it in a kilm. the metal melts away and they are left with lots of voids.
Placing that in a stream is the best way to cure it. I had one similar piece in a tiolet tank, even after 4 months the PH was still off the charts high.

looks like it will be a neat tank

10-19-2006, 09:58 PM	#1
Psycho graphic Trouble Maker! Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Forks Township Pa. Posts: 766 Reefer Ratings: (8) Friends: (0)	Another DIY Rock Big deal, it's just a rock, right? Not when you look from behind. Maybe it's missing something. Yes that is my missing OFB and the return line hidden in there, my niece had the OFB all along. A pic from the back. And finally from in the tank. __________________ Who Pee'd in the Gene Pool?

10-19-2006, 11:14 PM	#2
Tonyscoots84 Soon To Be Nano KiNg ;) Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Staten Island Posts: 7,036 Reefer Ratings: (22) Friends: (0)	explain? how was the rock made... do u plan on putting anything on the floor of the tank to protect it.. do u have to cook or cure the rock u made (high ph) talk to us ... just dont throw pics at us __________________ B & A Computers Got Computer Problems? We Can Fix Them! (We Come To You For What It Would Cost For You To Bring It To The Store) Stop Getting Ripped Off and Start Saving Money On Tech Services! We Are Here For All Your Computer Needs. We have have helped hundreds of people save alot of money in Manhattan,New York,Bronx,Queens,Brooklyn,Staten Island and New Jersey. (718) 689 - 0662

10-19-2006, 11:28 PM	#3
Psycho graphic Trouble Maker! Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Forks Township Pa. Posts: 766 Reefer Ratings: (8) Friends: (0)	I posted the recipe on another thread which is why I did'nt put it here. But here it is again.1 part Portland to 4 parts rock salt. I mix the portland to a fairly dry mix, then add the salt. I covered these parts with a plasic garbage bag, the Portland does'nt stick to the bag, making removal a snap. After shaping the rock, let it sit 2 days before removing the "mold". Yes you DO need to cure it untill the Ph stablizes. Daily water changes are a must unless you plan to wait a l o n g time for it to cure. My last batch is going in a stream behind a friends house. I have never protected my bottom from the rocks before, but I think I will this time. It was hard to see in these pics, here is a better pic of an arch I made, I used plastic coat hangers for the framework for it. __________________ Who Pee'd in the Gene Pool?

10-19-2006, 11:40 PM	#4
drunktank My Name Is John! Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Jersey City, NJ Posts: 1,759 Reefer Ratings: (14) Friends: (1)	how is that stuff going to be beneficial to your tank? it doesnt look porous at all __________________ DrUnKtAnK Jersey Side

10-20-2006, 01:07 AM	#8
House of Laughter www.saltwatercritters.com Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Ossining, NY Posts: 10,287 Reefer Ratings: (124) Friends: (36)	You can buffer the PH with crushed oyster shells that you can find at any feed shop - only problem is finding a feed shop ;-) That helps buffer the PH - interesting idea with the rock salt, but curious to see how it gets pourous House __________________ House of Fish (914) 424-0366 www.saltwatercritters.com Serving all your saltwater critter and reef needs

10-19-2006, 11:47 PM	#5
aaron23 !THE ULTIMATE REEFER! Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Roslyn, Long Island NY Posts: 2,241 Reefer Ratings: (68) Friends: (0)	hmm very outstanding idea with the rock. Very cool how you did all of that yourself. Very nice pics. I agree with jon the rock isnt porous its solid. Where is the bacteria going to come from and where will it be housed?

10-20-2006, 12:10 AM	#7
aaron23 !THE ULTIMATE REEFER! Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Roslyn, Long Island NY Posts: 2,241 Reefer Ratings: (68) Friends: (0)	hm... im extremely interested in pics as to how this comes out after its been cured..

10-20-2006, 03:05 AM	#9
masterswimmer www.saltwatercritters.com Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Orange County Posts: 9,178 Reefer Ratings: (86) Friends: (16)	Rock salt will 'eat away' at the portland mix. When the salt dissolves it will have created a void where the salt was. Hence the porosity of the structure. I like the idea a lot. I'm psyched to see the tank full and maturing. I can easily envision coral growing all over those surfaces. Great job D. swimmer __________________ House of Fish (845) 610-3114 www.saltwatercritters.com Serving all your saltwater critter and reef needs

10-20-2006, 03:12 AM	#10
jhale paper bags are fun! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: G.V NYC Posts: 15,159 Reefer Ratings: (43) Friends: (32)	that's a similar idea to reef ceramics. instead of salt they add metal to thier mix and fire it in a kilm. the metal melts away and they are left with lots of voids. Placing that in a stream is the best way to cure it. I had one similar piece in a tiolet tank, even after 4 months the PH was still off the charts high. looks like it will be a neat tank __________________ FS: Aquamedic dosing pump, MH250 ballast, wavemaker

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode