Althea's 90 Gallon..... - Page 2

deaclauderdale · 12-10-2007, 08:32 PM

Great job! Where were you when I needed you?

althea2you · 12-10-2007, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReefGuy69

Wow good job.. remind me to call you when i need my tank/equipment cleaned.

LOL!!!...yeah im surprised at how clean i got it!

althea2you · 12-10-2007, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deaclauderdale

Great job! Where were you when I needed you?

LOL... my husband came home and was like,... wow... i cant believe its the same tank! :P

althea2you · 12-11-2007, 10:16 AM

Ok, i am going to MAKE "some" of my own LV... has anyone done this here? and if so what was the method you used.. i have read really deeply into it and i know the chances i am taking making it. thats why its going to be a really long process...

after i make it i will be soaking it in vinegar for at least 12 hours.. that is the recommended... i will go a bit longer probably18 hours.. just to be sure. then i will do the soaking in fresh water for about 4 weeks to remove the elements out of the rock....check the PH if its not good, i will wc and soak for 1 more week.. process repeat...what im wondering, is, if you have done this... what products did you use to make it? some say argonite sand.. some say crushed oyster shells...and cement. portland cement....apparantly its white cement. i just want the rocks to look as natural as possible and be as porous as possible so ther is plenty of places for good bacteria to grow... what do you think? any advise?

framerguy · 12-11-2007, 03:14 PM

It sounds like fun making your own rock. I've got a book at home detailing how to make it, I'll try to check it when I get there. You REALLY cleaned the tank well!!

BigAl07 · 12-11-2007, 03:41 PM

I too researched this aspect thorougly (and you may find a few threads around here I started and or added to). I found a local reefer here who used to make his own LR as well as for friends and for sale. What ultimately lead to him NOT doing it anymore is the weight. No matter what he did to the rock (adding fillers that would melt, adding extremely light wight items like foam etc) it always came out VERY heavy. I even have some of the rock he made and it looks good but it's easily triple the weight of standard Live Rock and more than that of quality light weight LR. Heck I have some I am going to sell for like $1/lb or less just to get rid of it. Due to this aspect and the potential for "chemical leaching" I abandoned this idea totally a few months go.

Now there is a "way/process" to bind the materials permanently but it adds to the cost considerably. If you're interested I can look it up (it's in my email somewhere) but it's not very cost effective for the average home tank. It's the process they use to make cement reef items to go into the ocean after a storm or ship has devastated a reef. The diffrence is they aren't worried about weight in the least just the cement NOT leaching anything into the fragile reef.

Hope this helps and I REALLY hope you take pictures along the way. If you DO decide to do it try curing the rock in a local stream/river so you wont have to do water changes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by althea2you

Ok, i am going to MAKE "some" of my own LV... has anyone done this here? and if so what was the method you used.. i have read really deeply into it and i know the chances i am taking making it. thats why its going to be a really long process...

after i make it i will be soaking it in vinegar for at least 12 hours.. that is the recommended... i will go a bit longer probably18 hours.. just to be sure. then i will do the soaking in fresh water for about 4 weeks to remove the elements out of the rock....check the PH if its not good, i will wc and soak for 1 more week.. process repeat...what im wondering, is, if you have done this... what products did you use to make it? some say argonite sand.. some say crushed oyster shells...and cement. portland cement....apparantly its white cement. i just want the rocks to look as natural as possible and be as porous as possible so ther is plenty of places for good bacteria to grow... what do you think? any advise?

althea2you · 12-11-2007, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by framerguy

It sounds like fun making your own rock. I've got a book at home detailing how to make it, I'll try to check it when I get there. You REALLY cleaned the tank well!!

cool.. any and all info would be great... and thanks! my back was killing me after the cleaning! LOL

althea2you · 12-11-2007, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigAl07

I too researched this aspect thorougly (and you may find a few threads around here I started and or added to). I found a local reefer here who used to make his own LR as well as for friends and for sale. What ultimately lead to him NOT doing it anymore is the weight. No matter what he did to the rock (adding fillers that would melt, adding extremely light wight items like foam etc) it always came out VERY heavy. I even have some of the rock he made and it looks good but it's easily triple the weight of standard Live Rock and more than that of quality light weight LR. Heck I have some I am going to sell for like $1/lb or less just to get rid of it. Due to this aspect and the potential for "chemical leaching" I abandoned this idea totally a few months go.

Now there is a "way/process" to bind the materials permanently but it adds to the cost considerably. If you're interested I can look it up (it's in my email somewhere) but it's not very cost effective for the average home tank. It's the process they use to make cement reef items to go into the ocean after a storm or ship has devastated a reef. The diffrence is they aren't worried about weight in the least just the cement NOT leaching anything into the fragile reef.

Hope this helps and I REALLY hope you take pictures along the way. If you DO decide to do it try curing the rock in a local stream/river so you wont have to do water changes.

i will check around for the links here... and i will take pics! of course!!! lol

lcstorc · 12-11-2007, 06:41 PM

Wow! You did a great cleaning job. Next time I tear down a tank I know who to call.
You really will be much better off with LR and baserock. Baserock is not very expensive and if you get some good LR to go with it the life will soon move to the baserock.
Where are you located? If anywhere near Central Florida I have base rock and live rock that I could give you to get you started. I am done setting up tanks for a while so it is just sitting in my sumps or garage. Some of the base is pretty shapes as well.

blue_eyes53813 · 12-11-2007, 07:12 PM

The tank looks great. It is amazing how easy the dried/dead algae comes off the glass. My old 125 gallon was a mess and I was dreading the clean up. It came off pretty easy.

althea2you · 12-11-2007, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lcstorc

Wow! You did a great cleaning job. Next time I tear down a tank I know who to call.
You really will be much better off with LR and baserock. Baserock is not very expensive and if you get some good LR to go with it the life will soon move to the baserock.
Where are you located? If anywhere near Central Florida I have base rock and live rock that I could give you to get you started. I am done setting up tanks for a while so it is just sitting in my sumps or garage. Some of the base is pretty shapes as well.

awww! thats a great offer !! thank you! but alas! i am in NORTHERN Illinois! LOL way north!!

i go back and forth on this making rock thing... i think i will definitely make some of my own.. just because i want certain shapes... then maybe some baserock.. and definitely real LR to seed everything else and give some prettyness to it! thank for the offer!!!

althea2you · 12-11-2007, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue_eyes53813

The tank looks great. It is amazing how easy the dried/dead algae comes off the glass. My old 125 gallon was a mess and I was dreading the clean up. It came off pretty easy.

thanks! yeah i was surprised at how easy it scraped off too!

framerguy · 12-11-2007, 09:07 PM

You may have found this link already but there are some recipes that I want to try. The book I was referring to didn't have much in the way of instructions.
http://saltaquarium.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&sdn=saltaquarium&cdn=homegarden&tm=149&gps=122_ 415_1276_495&f=00&su=p284.8.150.ip_&tt=14&bt=1&bts =1&zu=http%3A//www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hangar/6279/RaiseCementRock.html

althea2you · 12-11-2007, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by framerguy

You may have found this link already but there are some recipes that I want to try. The book I was referring to didn't have much in the way of instructions.
About.com: http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hangar/6279/RaiseCementRock.html

yeah i have seen that one... i was just reading up on this link...

REEF AQUARIUM FARMING NEWS 13 p 2

if you scroll down it details some things.. just added info...

althea2you · 12-12-2007, 03:42 PM

there are some small scratches on the front of the tank.... anyone know how to get these out?

12-10-2007, 08:32 PM	#16 (permalink)
deaclauderdale Posting & Toasting! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Lancaster,California Posts: 2,062 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Althea's 90 Gallon..... Great job! Where were you when I needed you? __________________ 100 Gal w/ 55 Gal Sump, (2) 250 watt MH's, 220 watts VHO, Fish: Lawnmower Blenny, Pair Ocellaris Clowns, Royal Gramma, Yellow Watchman Goby, Rainsford Goby Coral: Neon Green Candycane, Brown Candy Cane, Purple and Blue Candycane, GSP-green, Palythoas, Montipora Digita (Green and Purple), Montipora Nodosa, Acro's, Neon Green Favia, Sun Coral, Cynaria, Zoanthids Shrimp: Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, 2 Peppermint Shrimp, Tiger Pistol Shrimp Clam: (2) Crocea, That's what I love about saltwater tanks. You get God's best!!

12-11-2007, 10:16 AM	#19 (permalink)
althea2you Padawan Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,432 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Althea's 90 Gallon..... Ok, i am going to MAKE "some" of my own LV... has anyone done this here? and if so what was the method you used.. i have read really deeply into it and i know the chances i am taking making it. thats why its going to be a really long process... after i make it i will be soaking it in vinegar for at least 12 hours.. that is the recommended... i will go a bit longer probably18 hours.. just to be sure. then i will do the soaking in fresh water for about 4 weeks to remove the elements out of the rock....check the PH if its not good, i will wc and soak for 1 more week.. process repeat...what im wondering, is, if you have done this... what products did you use to make it? some say argonite sand.. some say crushed oyster shells...and cement. portland cement....apparantly its white cement. i just want the rocks to look as natural as possible and be as porous as possible so ther is plenty of places for good bacteria to grow... what do you think? any advise? __________________ ~Sarah~ How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours. ~Wayne Dyer 28g Nano The 90 Gallon

12-11-2007, 03:14 PM	#20 (permalink)
framerguy Manta Ray Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mount Airy, Ga Posts: 3,527 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Althea's 90 Gallon..... It sounds like fun making your own rock. I've got a book at home detailing how to make it, I'll try to check it when I get there. You REALLY cleaned the tank well!! __________________ ___________________________________ Greg All time fav quote: "Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy."-Guillaume Apollinaire "Being happy can be as easy as deciding to be!"-Greg Kimsey (framerguy) Still Workin' on it! 375gDT built in wall, Gargantuan DIY Beckett Skimmer, 100g sump, Sequence Hammerhead closed loop, 75 gallon seagrass/mineral mud refugium, 55 gallon crushed coral/live rock refugium, 30 gallon DSB/ cheatomorpha refugium, algae turf scrubber, DIY calcium reactor, DIY kalkwasser mixer, DIY light system w/4x 250MH & 4x54w T5, etc, etc, etc... chronicles-akwareum

12-11-2007, 06:41 PM	#24 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 20,008 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Althea's 90 Gallon..... Wow! You did a great cleaning job. Next time I tear down a tank I know who to call. You really will be much better off with LR and baserock. Baserock is not very expensive and if you get some good LR to go with it the life will soon move to the baserock. Where are you located? If anywhere near Central Florida I have base rock and live rock that I could give you to get you started. I am done setting up tanks for a while so it is just sitting in my sumps or garage. Some of the base is pretty shapes as well. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. In Loving Memory Of Z 01/22/07 - 08/19/08

12-11-2007, 07:12 PM	#25 (permalink)
blue_eyes53813 Hey!Its not my fault Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lancaster, Wisconsin Posts: 6,638 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Althea's 90 Gallon..... The tank looks great. It is amazing how easy the dried/dead algae comes off the glass. My old 125 gallon was a mess and I was dreading the clean up. It came off pretty easy. __________________ 265 Gallon Reef built into basement wall. Lighting = 6x250 watts MH, 2x96 watt PC ,and 2x140 watt VHO for a total watt of 1,972 watts . New addition on 4-14-07 of 100 gallon sump and 100 gallon refugium. I think I have lost my mind. Gotta love this hobby Vicki Life is like a pathway of untrodden snow. Be careful how you step in it for every mark will show Definition of FRIENDSHIP: All lives touch other lives to create something new and alive My tank chronicles. http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...wall-reef.html

12-11-2007, 09:07 PM	#28 (permalink)
framerguy Manta Ray Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mount Airy, Ga Posts: 3,527 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Althea's 90 Gallon..... You may have found this link already but there are some recipes that I want to try. The book I was referring to didn't have much in the way of instructions. http://saltaquarium.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&sdn=saltaquarium&cdn=homegarden&tm=149&gps=122_ 415_1276_495&f=00&su=p284.8.150.ip_&tt=14&bt=1&bts =1&zu=http%3A//www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hangar/6279/RaiseCementRock.html __________________ ___________________________________ Greg All time fav quote: "Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy."-Guillaume Apollinaire "Being happy can be as easy as deciding to be!"-Greg Kimsey (framerguy) Still Workin' on it! 375gDT built in wall, Gargantuan DIY Beckett Skimmer, 100g sump, Sequence Hammerhead closed loop, 75 gallon seagrass/mineral mud refugium, 55 gallon crushed coral/live rock refugium, 30 gallon DSB/ cheatomorpha refugium, algae turf scrubber, DIY calcium reactor, DIY kalkwasser mixer, DIY light system w/4x 250MH & 4x54w T5, etc, etc, etc... chronicles-akwareum

12-12-2007, 03:42 PM	#30 (permalink)
althea2you Padawan Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,432 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Althea's 90 Gallon..... there are some small scratches on the front of the tank.... anyone know how to get these out? __________________ ~Sarah~ How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours. ~Wayne Dyer 28g Nano The 90 Gallon

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