Some Pics

[BC Mosaic]

Originally Posted by Kronk

...... rock i made to test the batch the salt isnt disolved yet so it doesnt look porus

Sorry, but I don't understand.

Nice tank work there BTW.

[Kronk]

here is one rock i made to test the batch

The DIY rock is made with a number of different materials, i made one rock so that i could test the recipe.

the salt isnt disolved yet so it doesnt look porus

The rock has to be soaked in order to disolve the salt which i have not done yet. Once the salt disolves it will leave holes in the surface and interior of the rock. The pic makes it look like a solid block of concrete because the salt crystals kind of blend in. When the salt disolves the rock will look more like lavarock than a sidewalk.

[dsaundry]

Would like to know the recipe for the rock...
Did you figure out what it would cost per pound to make it?

[BC Mosaic]

What kind of cement are you using? It doesn't look like portland.

What kind of salt? Do you make "snowballs" of salt and place in the cement bit by bit as you cover over with cement and build your "rock"?

Water ratio to cement must be small in order to prevent the "snowballs" from melting before their time. Yes?

Intriguing. Good work.

[Kronk]

Dsaundry the recipe can be modified a lot its really whatever looks best i am using 2 part sand 2-cement 2-salt 1-Oyster shell. Some people dont use sand others dont use oyster shell. I am not sure what i paid per pound as i got the cement free from a fellow canreefer (thanks Rob) and the sand i picked up pretty cheap.

BC Mosaic the cement is white portland from Rona. The salt i am using is a mix of small salt used for de-icing the driveway and large chunks of water softening salt. Both types of salt are very resistant to disolving, almost too resistant. There are several methods of molding the rock most use sand to create molds and build on it like you said.

[Kronk]

Some update pics of the 20g i have nearly won my battle against the green hair algae. The tank is still on the floor of the rec room... I have abandoned the idea of getting a 65g as my job is getting more and more travel orientated and my wife has no interest in the hobby. I think i am going to build my own aquarium 30x15x19 i have always wanted to try it. Also any opinions on how many MH to have over a 30" long tank? I know the general rule is 1 per 2ft but i dont want to deal with the heat issues of having 2 MH.

[Snaz]

Are you using your custom LR? Which piece is it? Are you happy with how it came out?