impur Posted March 11, 2007 Share Posted March 11, 2007 Well i tried to make some frag discs and then started on my first rock. Frag discs first Supplies The sand was too wet and it was hard to make the molds stay And the cement was to runny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted March 11, 2007 Author Share Posted March 11, 2007 So try #2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted March 11, 2007 Author Share Posted March 11, 2007 And the results of try #1. I got frusterated and just dumped in the cement. Made an interesting base rock i think And try #2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted March 11, 2007 Author Share Posted March 11, 2007 Then i went at making the first real rock. It will be a tall table type rock, so i can mount SPS on top. I had to mold out how i wanted the top of the rock to look. Essentially i'm building the rock upside down. Supplies Some salt to make it porous Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted March 11, 2007 Author Share Posted March 11, 2007 I'll put the frag discs in my toilet tank probably. The rock will go into a tub with a small pump and i'll change the water every couple days for a month or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
180Brandy Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 looking good so far.When we made our rock we had to change the tub of water twice a week other wise the water would get real scummy. I like your discs. Good job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted March 12, 2007 Author Share Posted March 12, 2007 Thats good to know, thanks! The discs came out pretty good the second time. I'd like to make a mold in wood so its more consistant. We'll see how the rock comes out in a day or 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
180Brandy Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 Another tip is if you mix in some crushed oyster shells with the cement it looks more natural and less like concrete. For caves balloons work pretty good. Also covering your master piece with oyster shells imo looks better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted March 12, 2007 Author Share Posted March 12, 2007 [language filter]! I forgot the oyster shells!!! DOH! Figures. I'm gonna redo it now. I have some crushed coral i was gonna throw in there too! DOH! DOH! DOH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
180Bob Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 When we made our DIY rock we used 1 part cement: 3 parts oyster shells: about 1 1/2 parts water. Seemed to work out pretty well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted March 13, 2007 Author Share Posted March 13, 2007 Cool, thanks Bob thats good to know. Did you add any sand to the mixture? I had done 1 part sand, 1 part salt, 2 parts cement and about 1 part water in this mix. I am gonna stick with the mixture since its close to yours and just add the oyster shells/crushed coral for even more porosity!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palani Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 Hey Miles, I just did my share of plugs last night. I had all of my ingredients, but went flying by the seat of my pants (no real recipe). So we will see how they turn out. I'll take pics once they dry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted March 13, 2007 Author Share Posted March 13, 2007 Sweet. Looking forward to your pics! I don't think there is a wrong way to do these discs. Even my super runny mixture turned out ok and i will still use them. They are just more bulky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
180Brandy Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 I will bring some pictures to the meeting on Sunday so you can get an idea of what the rock looks like. just so you know even after about 7 weeks our calcium level is really high. How high you ask 750. We have some fish and they don't seem to be effected by it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted March 13, 2007 Author Share Posted March 13, 2007 I won't be at the meeting :( I did see your pic awhile back i think on that other thread. I am prepared to wait it out a few months before the rocks go into the tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
180Brandy Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 Keep us posted as to how your rock turns out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyenna Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 When we made our DIY rock we used 1 part cement: 3 parts oyster shells: about 1 1/2 parts water. Seemed to work out pretty well. pics? (whistle) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted March 14, 2007 Author Share Posted March 14, 2007 Keep us posted as to how your rock turns out! Will do. I'll make more this weekend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palani Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 mine are still drying out since it's been cold. I checked a few of the plugs and the sand didn't stick as well as I thought. Maybe since I used some damp sand. Once things dry up I'll post some pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef165 Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 Hey Impur do you still have any of the rock you made? Did you use any? Ya never did post any pic's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted November 12, 2009 Author Share Posted November 12, 2009 I haven't used any yet, i hope to in my next tank. I have had a problem getting the ph down though. I soaked my rocks for 2 years and they still shoot the ph to over 12 in a few hours so i donno what to do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef165 Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 nice looking rock's !! have ya kept them out of the water for a couple days then put them back in? whats the ph of your tap water? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsoz Posted November 13, 2009 Share Posted November 13, 2009 I found that leaving them out of water in the yard allows them to cure faster than when in water. It has something to do with absorbing carbon dioxide from the air... If you "water" the rocks with a sprinkeler or a hose once a day, or leave them out in the rain it should help as well. After leaving rocks that I have made out for a couple of months I can put them in water and have no problem with the pH. I have about 100 lbs in a tank that is set up with a couple of damsels in there. There are also featherdusters growing all over the place and stomatella snails galore! Once the rock gets covered in coraline algae you can't tell it is not from the ocean. I have at least 200 lbs more that are soaking in fresh water, or in my backyard waiting for room in my rock tank. I am still selling it at $2/lb. Fully cured and supporting life dsoz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted November 13, 2009 Author Share Posted November 13, 2009 Actually they have been out of the water sitting on my back patio for about 6months (laugh) I will stick them in some water here in the following weeks and see if they are good to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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