The Ultimate DIY Rocks!

[redvipe2010]

Very Nice! I hope to be able to try this soon!

[itstheantitang]

Here are some pictures of the rocks I made:


In the curing tub


A better view of the curing tub, you can see a few of the rocks floating.


All of the rocks spead out. They all have flat bottoms because I made them on top of a sheet of plywood.


A trial aquascape (front view)


Same Aquascape (back view)

In the aquascape, a rock was inverted so the flat was facing up, and another rock was stacked on it to give it the look of one big rock.

In my tank there will be some real LR mixed in with the DIY rock.

Off topic, but here are some pea plants.

[Travis L. Stevens]

itstheantitang, Once you get this in your tank, the flat bottom stuff is GREAT to put at the bottom of the tank to stack rock on and straight on the back glass to give you more room. So, though that might have been a trial run/first batch, all DIY Rock serves a purpose

Thanks for the pics Covey and Anti. Covey, yours looks more like mine

[captbunzo]

Awesome thread, Travis. I think I might actually give this a try sometime soon. (or so)

[Travis L. Stevens]

If you're at the next COMAS meeting (or in Stillwater) I can show you examples.

[captbunzo]

Cool. It occurred to me, BTW, that some big chunks of salt might be a nice way to create holes and other nooks & crannies.

[Travis L. Stevens]

The next time I stock up on Rock Salt, I'm going to make it in a bucket of salt so I can free form caves and crevices without having a man made look to it.

[captbunzo]

Sounds like a good plan......

So, assuming bufferring is not a priority (I have sand for that), is there any reason that adding sand to the mix is really necessary? Sounds like the concrete + salt plan is pretty solid.

[rstark33]

I just mixed some salt to cement only, about 2 to 1 salt and the rocks are drying as we speak. The two pieces seem fairly heavy for their size. Also, as I mixed, it occured to me that cement by itself is rather fragile. Its strength comes from the gravel/rebar or sand that is mixed into it.
I think I might try adding oyster shell or sand to help with the strength and the density.

[speckled trout]

Here's some branching rocks I made awhile back. They were made with oyster shells and portland cement. Use your imagination, the sky's the limit. I try to give may fish as much room to swim around through the rocks as possible. Also, the rocks with legs allow you to securely stack rocks on top of them. The legs also allow water to circulate underneath them. This reduces detrius from building up in areas of low flow.

[captbunzo]

Truely spectacular. I wonder if these would ever be marketable to LFS or just to other hobbyiests. I'd pay $1 / lb for this stuff. And if you're talking 50 cents or less a pound to make, that isn't bad.

[Travis L. Stevens]

SHHH!!! I plan on that.....

[rstark33]

Trout,
Those are sweeet! Give us tips on how you did them. I have a bag cement waiting to become rocks...

[Travis L. Stevens]

Originally posted by speckled trout

Truer words could never have been spoken *points to the bumper sticker on the truck*

[Reef_|<eeper]

I've been thinking about making LR for awhile. This is probably the breaking point. Everyones rocks look great!! I better get making. Thanks for the thread Travis.

[acidlittle]

Those are some sweet looking rocks. Just be careful in an AGA that you don't put too much on top of them because that will focus all the weight to a very small spot, possibly cracking the glass. I'm sure you already thought of that and have something under those pieces with the legs.

Otherwise, how the heck did you make them look so natural????

Josh

[Travis L. Stevens]

I don't know how trout did it, but I was thinking salt in a bucket a layer at a time, or taking a bunch of small pieces and piecing them together. I've seen thread where people use PVC pip. One person melted and contorted a PVC pipe for some interesting shapes.

[bkiba]

Did you guys ever try embedding some pipes into the rocks themselves? I know people use pipes and plastic coat hanger bits to hold LR together in different shaped. Maybe you can incorporate 1/2" or 3/4" PVC pipe inside your rocks to make some more durable structures, hey maybe even plumb those pipes into a closed loop?

[bkiba]

ok travis beat me too it...

[Covey]

Travis how long did it take for your rocks to cure?

[Travis L. Stevens]

Just like regular DIY Rocks; 4-6 weeks.

[Travis L. Stevens]

Update!

I found a bulk source for rock salt. Sorry it took so long. Sleep, work, and family took up most of my time

Yesterday afternoon I made my way up to Lowe's; Stillwater's only chain hardware store. I requested where they kept the Water Softener and/or Rock Salt. They directed me to the far right corner of the store in the back. It was on my left. (In case your Lowe's is set up like mine, now you know ) They carried three kinds of water softener. A Pellitized form in a yellow bag, a crystaline form in a blue bag, and an Iron Fighting crystal in a green bag. I went to the customer service desk and requested a copy of the MSDS Sheet for the crystaline one. It turns out that this is actually pure Sodium Chloride (NaCl; Salt). So, I picked myself up 5 bags for a fraction of the cost. I can't wait to get cracking at making rock! Here is the information:

Receipt

25656 40LB SALT CRYSTAL 22.15
5 @ 4.43

Subtotal: 22.15
Tax 32966: 1.94
Balance Due: 24.09

Diamond Crystal Solar Salt Water Softener (Click the image to go directly to the Lowe's website for more information)


Yup, that's right! $25 for 200 lbs of rock salt!!!! This form of rock should be ULTRA cheap. Also, the Item # is 25656. They come in 40lb bags for $4.43. Look for a type up of the MSDS Sheet in my next post.

PS - Does anyone know where and how much a small cement mixer is?

[acidlittle]

Would you also get a picture of the bag/box/tub it came in? I have a lowe's in my town and I would like to see what the package looks like. I'll be making some rock very soon I hope!

keep up the great page!
Josh

[Travis L. Stevens]

Cargill Salt Material Safety Data Sheet

1. CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY INFORMATION
Chemical Product Name: Sodium Chloride (Salt)
Chemical Family: Alkalii Metal/Halide
Chemical Name: Sodium Chloride
INCI Name: SODIUM CHLORIDE
INN Name: Sodium Chloride
Formula: NaCl
Molecular Weight: 58.44
Commercial Name: Diamond Crystal Solar Salt - Extra Coarse, Diamond Crystal Solar Salt - Coarse
Manufacturer: Cargill Salt - P.O. Box 5621 Minneapolis, MN 55440
Emergency Telephone Numbers: 952/984-8214 During Normal Business Hours

2. COMPOSITION/INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS
Description: White Crystalline Solid
Ingredient Name: (CAS Number) Sodium Chloride 7647-14-5
Exposure Limits: --------
Concentration (%): 100

3. HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
EMERGENCY OVERVIEW
None - GRAS Substance (Generally Recognized as Safe)
Potential Health Effects
Route(s) of Entry: Ingestion, skin/eye contact, inhalation.
Human Effects and Symptoms of Overexposure
Acute Inhalation: Irritation of the respiratory tract.
Chronic Inhalation: No applicable information found for chronic system effects
Acute Skin Contact: Large amounts can cause irritation, and, if applied to damaged skin, absorption can occur with effects similar to those via ingestions
Chronic Skin Contact: No applicable information found for chronic system effects
Acute Eye Contact: Irritation with burning and tearing (salt concentrations greater than the normal saline present)
Chronic Eye Contact: No applicable information found for chronic system effects
Acute Ingestion: Intake of large amounts has generally occurred for deliberate reasons: suicide, absorption, and to induce vomiting. The following effects were observed; nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, restlessness, irritability, dehydration, water retention, nose bleed, gastrointestingal tract damage, fever, sweating, sunken eyes, high blood pressure, muscle weakness, dry mouth and nose, shock, cerebral edema (fluid on brain), pulmonary edema (fluid in lungs), blood cell shrinkage, and brain damage (due to dehydration of brain cells). Death is generally due to cardiovascular collapse or CNS damage. Less that a few grams would not be harmful. For larger quantities, drink large amounts of water or milk.
Chronic Ingestion: No applicable information found for chronic system effects
Carcinogenicity:
-NTP: Not listed as a carcinogen or mutagen
-IARC: Not listed as a carcinogen or mutagen
-OSHA: Not listed as a carcinogen or mutagen
Medican Conditions aggravated by Exposure: In some cases of confirmed hypertension, ingestion may result in elevated blood pressure.

4. FIRST AID MEASURES
First Aid for Eyes: For eye contact, flush with water immediately, lifting eyelids occassionally.
First Aid for Skin: Remove clothing from affected area. Wash skin thuroughly. Rinse Carefully
First Aid for Inhalation: If person breathes large quantities, remove to fresh air at once. If breathing stops, apply artificial respiration immediately
First Aid for Ingestion: Less than a few grams would not be harmful. For larger quatities, drink large amounts of water or milk

5. FIRE AND MEASURES
Flash Point: N/A
Extinguishing Media: N/A This product is nonflammable
Special Fire Fighting Procedures: N/A

6. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES
Spill or Leak Procedures: Contain spills to preven contamination of water supply or sanitary sewer system. Vacuum or sweep into containers for proper disposal.

7. HANDLING AND STORAGE
Storage Temperature (min/max): Avoid humid or wet conditions as the product will cake and become hard
Special Sensitivity: Avoid contact with strong acids
Handling and Storage Precautions: Becomes hygroscopic at 75% relative humidity

8. EXPOSURE CONTROLS/PERSONAL PROTECTION
Eye Protection Requirements: Eyeglasses or goggles should be worn in dusty areas
Skin Protection Requirements: Protective clothing may be worn in dusty areas, but generally not required
Respiration/Ventilation Requirements: NIOSH/MSHA approved respirator for particulatres
Exposure Limits: Not listed

9. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Physical form: White crystalline solid with slight halogen odor
Color: White to opaque
Odor: Halogen odor when heated
Boiling Point (760mm Hg)(ºC): 1465
Melting Point/Freezing Point (ºC): 801
pH: 6.7-10.0
Solubility in Water (g/cc)(%): 26.4
Specific Gravity (H2O = 1): 2.16
Bulk Density (lbs/ft^3): 35-83
% Volatile by Wight: N/A
Vapor Pressure (mm Hg/747ºC): 2.4
Capor Density (Air=1): N/A

10. REACTIVITY
Stability: Stable
Incompatibilities: Avoid contact with strong acids. Becomes corrosive to metals when wet
Decompostition Products: May evolve chlorine gas when in contact with strong acids

11. TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Description: Not listed

12. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Ecotoxicity: Not listed
Environmental Degradation: Not listed

13. DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS
Waste Disposal Method: Follow applicable Federal, state, and local regulations

14. TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION
DOT. Shipping Name: Not listed
Technical Shipping Name: Not listed
DOT. Hazard Class: Not listed
UN/NA Number: Not listed
Product Rq (lbs): N/A
DOT Label: Not listed
DOT Placard: N/A
Freight Class Bulk: N/A
Freight Class Package: N/A
Product Label: N/A

15. REGULATORY INFORMATION
OSHA Status: Not listed
TSCA Status: Listed as non-hazardous
CERCLA Reportable Quantity SARA Title III:
-Section 302 Extremely Hazardous Substances: Not listed
-Section 311/312 Hazard Categories: Not listed
-Section 313 Toxic Chemicals: Not listed
RCRA Status: Not listed
EINECS Number: 231-598-3
ENCS Number: 1-236
ECL Serial Number: KE-31387
SWISS Number: G-2580
HMIS Rating: 1 0 0 A

16. OTHER INFORMATION
Reason for Issue: Regulatory compliance

[Travis L. Stevens]

Originally posted by acidlittle
Would you also get a picture of the bag/box/tub it came in? I have a lowe's in my town and I would like to see what the package looks like. I'll be making some rock very soon I hope!

keep up the great page!
Josh

Editted. I knew I forgot something. Thanks for the reminder.