Aragocrete - future live rock

[tkhawaja]

I've read about GARF's Aragocrete home made "future" live rock for a long time. Now that I'm waiting for my tank to arrive I decided to give their recipe a try. You can see my efforts at http://www.mywhitecourt.com/modules....=Photo_Gallery.

If anyone else has tried to do this let me know about what was successful for you.

[CHEAPREEF]

I had better luck mixing it a little drier and letting it fall in small particles to form your shape. That way it's more porus, takes less time to cure and weighs less. This is of course this is just my opinion, and what worked well for me.

Clinton

[Buccaneer]

I built a " wall " around the back and sides of my tank using aragrocrete and built some rocks too

My formula was 1 part argonite / 3 parts crushed oyster shell / 1 part portland cement & about ( give or take ) 1 part water

For the " wall " I poured this mixture on a piece of eggcrate with plastic vapour barrier under the eggcrate on my basement floor ... then cured it in a kids wading pool ... the curing took forever

For the rocks I did much the same as you as far as the forming them and so on ... the testing of the PH and frequent water changes is key IMO

Cheers

[Canadian Man]

Originally Posted by Rasta

I built a " wall " around the back and sides of my tank using aragrocrete and built some rocks too

My formula was 1 part argonite / 3 parts crushed oyster shell / 1 part portland cement & about ( give or take ) 1 part water

For the " wall " I poured this mixture on a piece of eggcrate with plastic vapour barrier under the eggcrate on my basement floor ... then cured it in a kids wading pool ... the curing took forever

For the rocks I did much the same as you as far as the forming them and so on ... the testing of the PH and frequent water changes is key IMO

Cheers

I recently make a whole bunch as well and used roughly the same recipie as Rasta.
Oyseter shells makes it nice and porus!

[CHEAPREEF]

Should have mentioned that as well, i used oyster shells as well when i made mine.

Clinton

[tkhawaja]

Has anyone tried to make the reef tables mentioned by GARF? They sound like an excellent idea to have small footprint on our DSB's.

[Canadian Man]

Originally Posted by tkhawaja

Has anyone tried to make the reef tables mentioned by GARF? They sound like an excellent idea to have small footprint on our DSB's.

Done That was actually the main project with my rock making. Mine will be supported by pvc though and not extension's resting on the rock. I make the tables to suppost all my current live rock that will be sitting on top of the tables.

[tkhawaja]

Originally Posted by Canadian Man

Mine will be supported by pvc though and not extension's resting on the rock.

Hmmm. . ... If the rock is porous would that create a column of anarobic (sp?) water? Or, do you seal off the ends?

[tkhawaja]

Exactly what kind of cement have all of you used? And, where did you buy it? I used Target PSI 6000 from Home Depot. I wanted to use Lafarge 50 but they only had 10.

[CHEAPREEF]

I use white portland cement, if you need some you can stop by for some. I bought a 100lb bag of the stuff, the cement is at Gainford if you know where that is. Closer to you.

Clinton