Aragocrete

[follow3]

Hey guys,

Anyone ever made any rocks from Aragocrete?

I have a 24 gal Aquapod I will be setting up in the future and was thinking of making an aragocrete rock or sculpture of rock to fit the tank. Instead of stacking a bunch of rocks, I could just make 1 big sculpture with caves and holes and spots for frags and frag plugs.

What do you think, does that sound doable?
What have been your experiences with aragocrete?
Are there any known problems with aragocrete? (after it is aged and PH stabilized)
Do you have any recipes or links?

As allways...
Thanks fo input,
Steve

 

[Azurel]

I haven't personally done it but I have seen tanks with it and they look great. One of the things I like is the fact you can create any thing you want and have a plan for your rock work and just make it like a puzzle piece. I have heard that you have to be careful on what kinda of concrete you use, as some have stuff in it that shouldn't be put in your tank.....

http://www.athiel.com/lib3/arago.htm
http://www.athiel.com/lib10/arago2.htm
http://www.garf.org/MPegs/AragocreteArch.html

 

[KafudaFish]

Yes I have DIY'ed rock before. I have built three types. The first used portland 1 cement and crushed oyster shell. The second portland 1 cement and salt. The third is quikcrete and oyster shell. There are advantages/disadvantages to each. The second is the easiest and cheapest. You can make all the rock you would need for $20. If you are in a hurry #3 is the fastest because after a few days of drying you can place it directly in salt water. You skip the freshwater soak with these rocks. pH stabilizes pretty quickly.