Aragocrete TOTW 1-17-05

**scubadude** · 01-21-2005 11:36 PM

I dug up a thread on RC (actually a couple of them) and here is a very good reference to what acer has brought to our attention

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...t=oyster+shell

Please note that there are Chemist, as well as Marine Biologist that have put their opinions in on this so I feel that we have got about as good of an answer as we can get. So In short (for the ppl that dont want to follow the link) there may be some leaching of uknowns (phosphates, metals) from the beginning but it should not be an ongoing thing. Case and point you need to do a FW cure on your rocks and let them leach all the unknowns out before you drop them in your tank. Also FWIW and from what I found out from these threads is that alot of ppl are actually using the crushed oyster shells for Calcium Reactor media as well

Thats a new one on me....however the majority of the composition of crushed oyster shell is CACO3 (calcium carbonate) so i guess it makes sense.

**Key Of David** · 01-21-2005 11:44 PM

Thanks for sharing what you found scuba.

I think I have enough materials to start my rock making and will update with pics if I can take decent ones and make some decent shaped rocks. Keep in mind this is new for me and I didn't exactly excel at anything "artful" in school accept the marching band. So some of my rocks my just look downright hideous in the beginning....that is if my bad cam will take a decent pic of it. ;)

**scubadude** · 01-22-2005 12:04 AM

No problemo David

Hey dont worry either...my first rocks where even too heavy to use as paper weights

Just take your time bro....and by all means post pics for us and share any other new techniques or tips that you learn ;)

**acer** · 01-22-2005 12:18 AM

Originally Posted by scubadude

Well the more I think about it the more it makes me wonder....we all know that oysters can make pearls so there is a different chemistry going on w/ oyster shells....I think...Ill research it a tad more

I think acer makes a good statement here too

Coral is different than an oyster, like different kind of fish tend to either concentrate toxins or expell them. Swordfish is known to have high concentrations of mercury, while other types if fish do not. Maybe the Oysters just concentrate rather than expell. Or maybe corals also have toxins in them, but they have never been tested-they aren't as good of an appetizer so no reason to test them. Also, when corals get exposed to toxins they die- look at the corals around Florida now a days = dead or dying in many areas. BUt no shortage of oysters/shimp,etc. Obviously shellfish can handle toxins within their systems= concentrating them.

**scubadude** · 02-04-2005 02:45 AM

Chad (blusporttrac on RC) has a very neat idea of cutting up pieces of styrofoam for pieces of his DIY aragocrete rocks. These are some his methods. Sweet layout Chad

**scubadude** · 02-04-2005 02:47 AM

Some more of Chads rocks

**Samper** · 02-04-2005 01:23 PM

I want some Chad rocks!!!

**acer** · 02-05-2005 12:24 AM

Originally Posted by Samper

I want some Chad rocks!!!

Hey-looks great. Are they light weight? I will definetly have the kids helping me do this when the tempurature gets better. It is too chilly now.

**Key Of David** · 02-05-2005 08:56 PM

Sweet rocks Chad!

Just to let you guys know I haven't forgotten about this thread or rock making. I've made a couple first time rocks and they were awful but I'm giving it another go so wish me luck. It was really discouraging seeing my first rocks but I think I'll get better with practice. I haven't even experimented with styrofoam yet but I have plenty of it and those posts reminded me to give that a shot!

If nothing else I can at least make some decent table rocks/boulders for some TBS decorator/hard coral rock to sit on. ;)

**scubadude** · 02-24-2005 09:00 AM

We had a party and made a bunch of rocks at our local club down here, thought it would be kewl to throw some pics in this thread for you guys.

**scubadude** · 02-24-2005 09:02 AM

Notice the grapefruit used to create a cave in the last rock

***zhenya*** · 02-24-2005 10:06 AM

Hey Rocky,

Looks like you had great time making that rock, thanks for posting this pics.

I really like that rock that Chad makes, I had one piece of aragocrete rock for couple of years and let me tell you, it gets covered with coralline in no time flat and looks just like any other live rock. With one noticeable difference, you can't hardly find shapes like this in any of the live rock that I've seen offered for sale.

What would you say a mixing ratio would be when you setting up a new tank between aragocrete and real live rock? I would love to try some of that Chad's rock if I ever set up another tank.

Oh, almost forgot, in my experience I found that frags encrusted that piece of aragocrete that I had a lot faster than any other piece of rock.

**scubadude** · 02-24-2005 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by zhenya

Hey Rocky,

Looks like you had great time making that rock, thanks for posting this pics.

Heck yeah we did, I gotta thank our host Nathan you can see his son was a great helper there too

The pictures where all compliments of Nathan

What would you say a mixing ratio would be when you setting up a new tank between aragocrete and real live rock?

I would not want to start out with more than 40% DIY rock for the sole purpose of utilizing the growth off of the 60% natural LR.

I found that frags encrusted that piece of aragocrete that I had a lot faster than any other piece of rock.

Touche! Very good point.

Heres a pic of some of my DIY rock and as you can see has done quite well with zoos and GSP's

**Reefland** · 02-24-2005 12:01 PM

That is a very, very cool looking picture!

**acer** · 02-24-2005 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by Reefland

That is a very, very cool looking picture!

You guys are making me hate this Pittsburgh weather even more than usual. It is snowing as I write- and not even fluffy good snow- this just melts and makes mud. Yuck!!! Hope to have a "rock party" in these parts if it ever gets nice again.

**scubadude** · 03-04-2005 12:52 PM

Well Nathan took some more pics of our rock from our party here they are

**Samper** · 03-04-2005 12:59 PM

Rocky, I had what I think is a good idea for diy rocks and I'd like to give it a try when I come down there if we have the time. It involves those environmentally safe packing materials that some shipping companies use. They are shaped like a figure 8 and dissolve when soaked in water for a few minutes. I think that they would make a great filler for the rocks and once dissolved some great holes, caves and places to stick frags. I did a little reading and they are made from starch and should all dissolve out during the curing process. Just a thought.