"Aragocrete" Live Rock manufacturing

[mgk65]

I've heard mixed reviews of using Quikrete Concrete Mix as opposed to portland cement.

I had some concrete mix in my basement and made some plugs from it, but have not had the fortitude to try them.

Will the concrete mix do any harm by leaching stuff out?

mgk

 

[wade1]

Another spacer for homemade rock is pasta. It dissolves in the time it takes for the rock to cure without leaving much (some starch) behind. Never used it, but heard it works well, esp elbow types. A second option would be random plastic shavings. That will help not only lower density but also provide a great surface for corals and corraline to begin growing on.

 

[Anonymous]

mandarin-
Ice doesn't work, don't bother. Eggcrate, pvc etc may look pretty funky. I have use crumbled up newspaper, and handfulls of grass and whatevers handy on the lawn.

peat moss ph doesn't matter overall since I let the stuff sit in the creek for a long time.

 

[fmzamoranod]

Dan, I assume that you use any "organic" stuff since if the curing process goes for long enough time, those organics will disintigrate, right?

I read about using "cooked" pasta (al dente)... have you tried that?

I am still wondering for the "chemical" effect on the type of cements you can use and that those will not result in problems (leaching chemicals, PH dropping or rising, etc..)

Tks, regards.