I want to make some live rock and frag plugs of my own design. I’m tired of holding the superglue forever for a frag to stick lol. So I have an idea but just don’t know what to use. Is it Portland cement? Is there any special thing I need to do for reef safe?
Maybe Rob will jump on here. He made some rocks with Portland cement. I made some plug with just regular cement and it worked fine.
I remember him making it and it was Portland. But didn’t know regular cement could be used
I think I have the paperwork for making that
lets make some jason!!
A good way to cure the plugs is to toss them in a mesh bag and place in the toilet tank. Every time you flush you get a water change.
[quote=“bnelson, post:6, topic:7526”]
A good way to cure the plugs is to toss them in a mesh bag and place in the toilet tank. Every time you flush you get a water change.[/quote]
When I first read that I was thinking of the toilet bowl I was like wow that’s nasty then I read it again and realized you ment the top tank lol
[quote=“ballen0351, post:7, topic:7526”]
[quote=“bnelson, post:6, topic:7526”]
A good way to cure the plugs is to toss them in a mesh bag and place in the toilet tank. Every time you flush you get a water change.[/quote]
When I first read that I was thinking of the toilet bowl I was like wow that’s nasty then I read it again and realized you ment the top tank lol[/quote]
:-)lol :-)lol :-)lol :
:
::hitsthefan:: ::hitsthefan::
I read that somewhere thanks. I am going to make a few and I found that you use oyster shells the cement and rock salt to make voids. Sprinkle in a pre made mould if sand and it’s good. Seems easy enough to do. Will try it sometime and maybe get some nice rock out of it
Post pics, I’d love to see how they turn out.
Yeah, check out that post/video. If you want some free white portland cement, let me know. I have about 3/4 of a 100lb bag hangin around in the garage. The key is to cycle the rock with water changes. Initially the pH will be sky high due to the nature of the portland cement. Once you get your pH stable, at or below 8.3, its totally safe to use. I have a bunch of it in my tank.
Ok cool. If you aren’t using it sure thanks
or, to cure the fresh cement, which is very caustic, you can put it in a tub of fresh water with an air stone. the air contains some CO2 which will make carbonic acid in the water and slowly neutralize the high PH. and you can add an ounce of vinegar each week too. but definitely keep an air stone for circulation and PH benefits too.
It takes concrete 100 years to cure to full strength, but the alkalinity can be brought back to 7 in a month or two with treatment. then its ready for the tank.
I just bought the supplies. The only thing is the cement at lowes I got Portland type 1-2 but it wasn’t quikrete brand. It was this here is it ok to use?
Supplier of Building Materials and Aggregates | Lehigh Hanson it is the type I/II not a lot of info on it
http://m.lowes.com/product?langId=-1&storeId=10702&catalogId=10051&productId=3006058&store=0587&view=detail&nValue=4294858245
This is it but I have a different brand
GARF used to use a white portland grout cement also. sposedly less caustic, and cured faster. but the cured theirs in a fresh water thermal spring in theback yard. constant flow.
I will use the toilet for what I can. I’m in no real hurry so that’s ok to have a long cure just want to make sure it’s safe
Be sure to put them in a mesh bag to prevent it from preventing the flapper from closing in the toilet tank. Worst case scenario, your toilet will keep running.