Aragocrete???

[NaCl_H2O]

I'm searching, but haven't found it yet. Can someone point me to a link with the recipie for Aragocrete (sp?). I am looking into building some better shelves for my clam tank, and want them to look somewhat natural.

Richard - y'all did something like this for your SPS tank, right?

[cbianco]

www.garf.org

There is no direct link but it is listed under "How To - Pages" and then "Agrocrete."

Good luck! :)

Christopher

[pilot_bell777]

Man I tried this exactly like it says and with the exact material as it says and my rock looks like a blob of concreate with rice stuck to it.......

I did about 50$ worth of material before I gave up. I still got a huge bag of portland if you want it Steve! Good Luck!

I wonder how many times this guy tried this before it got it to look nice. Also notice that it says it has to cure for a long time or you have to soak it in vinigar for a long time, not sure that I would put my rice balls in my tank!

[GaryP]

Just drop it in your toilet tanks to let it cure.

[pilot_bell777]

That is were it belongs cause it looks like..... well we can't use that language on here anymore....

I was doing it for the EXACT same reason, wanted a good shelf for my clam.

[GaryP]

I've also heard of adding macaroni into the mixture. The macaroni will dissolve and leaves cavities in the aragocrete.

[cpreefguy]

Mmmm.... Macaroni and crete!!!

[NaCl_H2O]

Mmmm.... Macaroni and crete!!!
:lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol ROFL

[GaryP]

Just add some cheese.

[v2k]

There is a previous thread on this subject with interesting observations:
http://www.maast.org/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=16046&hig hlight=aragonite+cement+rock

[NaCl_H2O]

There is a previous thread on this subject with interesting observations:
http://www.maast.org/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=16046&hig hlight=aragonite+cement+rock
Thanks! I couldn't find that one!

[Richard]

I just used white portland cement & a mixture of crushed oyster shells and southdown. I think I used 1 part portland to 4 parts oyster shell/southdown mix. That was a little too much portland though and I would do something more like 1:6 ratio if I were doing it over again. That would give it a rougher look I think. Also I would just use washed playsand instead of southdown which would be much cheaper.

So portland & play sand from HD and I got the crushed oyster shell from Mummes feed store. Don't remember how much but it was cheap, they feed it to chickens for calcium or something. Lockhill feed on huebner probably has it also.

So I just mixed it up in a wheelbarrel (much easier to say than do ;) ) and then just formed the shelves with my hands on some wax paper. Oh, the other thing I would do different is wear some gloves when forming it. The skin on my hands was peeling BAD for a week & half afterwards.

[NaCl_H2O]

Richard, how long did your "cure" it afterwards, and how?

[Richard]

Well I left it in a water trough outside for a couple of months at least but that was just because it took longer than expected to get our tanks running at the store.

You can just test the ph to tell when it is pretty well cured. The "curing" is needed because of the calcium hydroxide (aka kalkwasser) in the portland will jack up your ph. Also the more often you change the water the faster it will cure. You know saturated is saturated yada yada.

[ou812pezz]

Here’s what I do with great results. It cost about 9 cents a pound. List of items as follows
1 50lb bag crushed oyster shell (wash it with water before using) -feed stor
1 bag of cheap sand or a smaller bag of pulverized oyster shell (rinse)
5 gal bucket
Type I/II Portland cement-home depot
Fresh water
1 cup up 1/4" clippings up 1/4" airline tubing
The mix goes like this
5 cups of cement to 5 cups of sand to 20 cups of shell to 1 cup of plastic clippings. Mix all dry ingredients first. Then add a little water at a time until you get a cottage cheese consistency. Note: Too much water will make a solid lump of crap! Too little water and you get a brittle piece of crap. You make a mold of dampened oyster shell and pour the Ag in what ever shape you desire. use loose shell to create pockets. After you’re done with that. Push long strands of airline tubing through your Ag formations and leave them in. Next dimple the Ag with a piece of air line tubing to create hole and indentations. Cover the whole thing with a layer of shell and let it dry 24hrs. After that, pull out the airline tubing. It leave hole through the Ag formation allowing water to circulate through the Ag. Let dry another 24 hrs then immerse in water. Let sit a week then change water once a week for a month or so. Start checking ph. When it's close to ph7, change to salt water and check at the end of the week. If ph is high, change water and check again in a week. That's about it in a nut shell. You’re welcome to come by and check out what I've done.

[ou812pezz]

I forgot the safety warning. Wear a pair of yellow dishwashing gloves. Not surgical gloves, they come apart. The cement will burn your hands and arms with out protection!

[GaryP]

The "curing" is needed because of the calcium hydroxide (aka kalkwasser) in the portland will jack up your ph.

Actually its Calcium Oxide (Lime) not Hydroxide, but what is a few hydrogen atoms between friends? Calcium Oxide is converted into Calcium Hydroxide when you add the water. That's why it gets hot. The chemical reaction gives off heat.

I know, I know, I know!!! Who invited the chemist to the party.

[GaryP]

Aragopretzels! Yummy!

I have always wanted to set up a carnation coral/gorgonian tank. I was going to build a giant aragocrete arch and hang them upside down from the arch. The tank would have a constant green water drip from an elevated green water reactor. Of course I would have to let my wife color coordinate and arrange the carnations. Funny how just a few years ago SPS was such a challenge. Now I am looking for new and bigger challenges.

[NaCl_H2O]

Now I am looking for new and bigger challenges.
Ok Mr. Chemistry, then build me an "Everything Reactor" :P

[ou812pezz]

These are some helpful links
http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/filterselection/a/aa111901.htm
http://www.reefs.org/library/talklog/t_miller_052498.html
http://saltaquarium.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.geocities.com%2F CapeCanaveral%2FHangar%2F6279%2FRaiseCementRock.ht ml
http://saltaquarium.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.athiel.com%2Flib 3%2Farago.htm
http://www.mindspear.com/reef/concrete/
http://www.garf.org/news13p2.html
http://www.garf.org/MPegs/AragocreteArch.html
http://showcase.netins.net/web/reefpage/mmliverock/mmliverock1.html

[GaryP]

Ok Mr. Chemistry, then build me an "Everything Reactor" :P

I thought that was what a calcium reactor was supposed to be. Until, that is, everyone figured out that it wasn't.