masonry supply store

[Europhyllia]

looking for certain kind of cement/mortar and can't find it at Lowe's/HD.
Was told I should contact a Masonry Supply Store and looked online in the yellow pages but it seems like it lists a lot of installers of granite/marble/etc. under masonry supplies.
I am looking for a specialty retail store that will sell me a bag of Type 5 or HS cement or maybe some BASF mortar...

[txav8r]

Bigbird123 is a mason. he might know somewhere to go.

[jpond83]

what kind of work are you trying to do? I use to lay brick.

[Europhyllia]

I think I found one!
I am looking for cement for AQUARIUM application.
according to the DIY rock gurus the cement ratings are as follows (for aquarium use):
Cement Types
Type I - Normal (Can be used)
Type II - Moderate Sulfate Resistance (Better than I)
Type III - High Early Strength (No point)
Type IV - Low Heat of Hydration (No Point)
Type V - High Sulfate Resistance (Best to use)
Type GU - General Use (Ok to use)
Type HE - High Early-Strength (Pointless)
Type MS - Moderate Sulfate Resistance (Better than I or GU)
Type HS - High Sulfate Resistance (Best to use)
Type MH - Moderate Heat of Hydration (Pointless)
Type LH - Low Heat of Hydration (Pointless)
Type HAC - High Alumina Content (Good/best to use)

[txav8r]

Glad you found it!

[jpond83]

portland cement type II thats what i use to make rocks

[Europhyllia]

ok silly question but what is the difference between mortar and cement?
I am wanting to do this egg crate/ rock cover for overflow boxes:
http://www.marcorocks.com/index.asp?...TS&Category=49
Having trouble finding exactly the mortar he's using there and am worried about using 'the wrong kind' so I was thinking maybe I could make cement work instead?
We've always used cement in more of a slushy form and mortar more of a paste so I would have thought mortar would be better for rocks, etc. but I am sure with less water cement would be kind of mortary...

[phippsj]

I used portland cement, type II as well. No adverse effects, although I primarily have live rock. FYI, letting it cure SLOWLY is the key, especially if you use rock salt or water softening pellets to make the holes. I let it cure under very, very moist sand for weeks before I moved the sand, then it took another month after that.

[Europhyllia]

see i don't want to use it for making rocks though. I want to use it like described in the link above.