Reef Balls & Reef Cakes

[BigAl07]

Originally Posted by mps9506

yeppers... my thoughts are it probably has a similar make up to the homemade live rock that was popular a few years back. there is a nice formula for this on GARF's site. Here is a DIY thread at seahorse.org
Diy Live Rock - Seahorse.org
Totally safe for aquarium use after curing...

I did the "White Vinegar" test. It fizzed some at first but very little fizzing really. So I flipped it over and used and equal amount of RO/DI water on it and it fizzed the same amount. My assumption (warning label goes here) is that the actual fizzing I heard and noticed was merely the porous cement absorbing any liquid applied to it. Just to be sure I did it with 2 others to make sure I wasn't missing something. There's no actual fizzing or bubbles at all other than water being absorbed.

Am I correct in assuming the "reaction" you were anticipating would be more of foamy milky fizzing?

[mps9506]

Originally Posted by BigAl07

Am I correct in assuming the "reaction" you were anticipating would be more of foamy milky fizzing?

Get palmful of aragonite out of your tank and pour some vinegar on it and you can compare for yourself... Hard to verbally explain these things without photos
At least at my vocabulary level
I've also only done it with sand, not on rock... so not sure what it would look like exactly
Try this link for sample pictures:
Substrate Options

[BigAl07]

Ok I compared to aragonite and also some quality base rock I have sitting around ready to go into my tank. Then after seeing the reaction (was sure what it is supposed to look like) I went back to the Reef Balls. It's the same "fuzz" on all three items. Maybe the Reef Balls to a lesser extent but a definite fizziness. I was able to more accurate see it by finding a "dip" in the surface of the rock and reef ball and allow the vinegar to pool there. This created a dramatic difference between just water "seeping in" and a true chemical reaction. I guess earlier I wasn't allowing it to "sit" on the surface long enough. But once I had an idea of what to look for it looks and sounds much different.

So what IS this telling us? Is the reaction a GOOD thing or BAD thing?

[mps9506]

It is good, we can probably DIY these to make the exact sizes or shapes we want by using the DIY formula I posted before.

[BigAl07]

Hey Mike.. they are so cheap I don't know if it's worth the time to mix up the mix to make one myself. Plus it's pretty cool having a "model" of the ones that are being used all over the world to help rebuild the natural reefs.

CNN was at the factory last week and did a bunch of taping of the process. They are supposed to air the show in January. Once I know the date I'll post it back.

There are two LFS's here that are now going to be carrying these for local reefers.

Here's a pic of some reef balls and reef cakes after a short time in the reef. Notice the corals starting to take over and encrust on the surface.

(These are FULL size Reef Balls & Cakes)
http://www.reefball.org/newfrontpage/smallsizes.jpg

[Jason25]

These are so cool, I can't wait for mine to arrive. Al, did you happen to strap a rocket to that pack mule? LOL.

[BigAl07]

I put an EXTRA large CARROT hanging from a ROD in front of his face. That should get it there by MARCH!! Just kidding.. hopefully with all the Holiday RUSH behind them, the USPS will get your package up there quickly.

How's the SUMP?

[Rogue97gtp]

I watched Mike Rowe making making those on Dirty Jobs. How much does one cost!? Wouldnt mind having one in my tank after I get it going!

[BigAl07]

Originally Posted by Rogue97gtp

I watched Mike Rowe making making those on Dirty Jobs. How much does one cost!? Wouldnt mind having one in my tank after I get it going!

That's exactly how I got started in this

I sent you a PM

[Jason25]

Got mine today AL, looks great, will take pics when I put it in the tank.

[mps9506]

Originally Posted by BigAl07

Hey Mike.. they are so cheap I don't know if it's worth the time to mix up the mix to make one myself. Plus it's pretty cool having a "model" of the ones that are being used all over the world to help rebuild the natural reefs.

CNN was at the factory last week and did a bunch of taping of the process. They are supposed to air the show in January. Once I know the date I'll post it back.

There are two LFS's here that are now going to be carrying these for local reefers.

Here's a pic of some reef balls and reef cakes after a short time in the reef. Notice the corals starting to take over and encrust on the surface.

(These are FULL size Reef Balls & Cakes)
http://www.reefball.org/newfrontpage/smallsizes.jpg

Didn't realize they were that inexpensive.
It would be really cool if we could plant these in the ocean for a few years and then transplant them to our reef tanks...

[BigAl07]

Originally Posted by Jason25

Got mine today AL, looks great, will take pics when I put it in the tank.

That quick? I'm thoroughly surprised (pleasantly) with that. Can't wait to see the pics

Originally Posted by mps9506

Didn't realize they were that inexpensive.
It would be really cool if we could plant these in the ocean for a few years and then transplant them to our reef tanks...

Man that would be SWEET! Love to get some into the ocean and then after they are "natually" colonized transplant into our tanks. Unfortunately living so HIGH up here in the Blue Ridge Mountains (under snow right now) that's hard to do. But in a few months with some "attention" I believe that's what they will look like. I'm going to get some zoas started on one VERY soon and will probably do a GSP one for fun as well.

[Jason25]

Here are the pics of the reef ball in my tank AL, thanks again.

[Jason25]

[panmanmatt]

Looks good Jason. What size of Al's balls did you get?