Anybody know about Agrocrete?

[bond007069]

Hey i tried to make some Agrocrete using GARF's instructions. I used Portland III cement, and half Florida GeoMarine Crushed Agronite and half crushed oyster shells as the substrate. Using one part cement and 5 parts Agronite, but i had to add more and more cement to get the right consistancy. The bach sits for 24-48 hours then a white vinegar bath for 48. But my cement is like flaking off, i can scratch cement sludge off of the rocks. U think they are safe for my tank? I would really apperciate the feedback if anyone out there has attempted to make their own rocks :lol: :roll: :?:

 

[Adrian]

Do not put fresh aragocrete in your tank, the results could be very bad. Fresh aragocrete will be very caustic, and therefore will have an impact on your tanks pH. Aragocrete can take a couple of days before it completely hardens, and you should wait to put it into water to be cured until it does harden. I would skip the vinegar as this can weaken the structure and result in brittle rocks. Aragocrete must cure for a few weeks at least, it can take months. Its best to cure it in fresh RO water, this will slowly bring the pH down, as well as strengthen the rocks. Test the pH of the water in which the rocks are curing, and change the water frequently. You have to wait until the pH drops to around 8 before adding it to your system. HTH

 

[wade1]

FYI: It took some homemade rock I made 5 months to cure enough to place in the tank, and even then it was still leaching a bit. Unless you have a very small volume, you need to be allowing it to sit in water (fresh is fine initially) to let it release the unbound carbonates and the like.

Wade

 

[bookfish]

I believe that the GARF recipe calls for 2 parts cement and 5 parts aragonite.
The only time I've had problems is when I use too much/too little water.-Jim

 

[bond007069]

i keep on hearing that the pH should rise, but i have tested my freshwater bath and have found that the pH really drops, any one else experience this? :lol:

 

[Tbrennan]

I would stay away from the vinigar soak and cure your rocks with lots of water changes the vinigar will drop the Ph but you will get a rebound effect by the leaching from inside the the rock I have done two tanks with nothing but Agro I slow cure (damp dry) then soak with frequent water water changes for 4-6 weeks with the last week in salt water so far it has worked very well and after the coraline starts you can not tell the difference. The other advantage is all my base rock have feet on them that keeps the rock clear of bottom, makes lots of caves and cleaning lots easier

 

[wade1]

My main issue was not pH shift, it was precipitation. Leaving the rock in a bucket "curing" would cause a layer of crunchy precipitate to form on the surface. That precipitate would wreak havoc with your tank chemistry.

Wade