DIY Rock Question

[Cliff519]

I’m getting ready to make some DIY rocks for a 90 gallon FOWLR which I will be turning into a reef tank in the future. I’ve a lot of really good info on how to make rocks along with all the ingrediants you need.

My question is, do you think you could use white mortar rather then cement? I’ve got some left over and would like to use it rather than going and buying cement.

I would really appreciate hearing your opinions

Thanks

 

[David K. Bradley]

I’m getting ready to make some DIY rocks for a 90 gallon FOWLR which I will be turning into a reef tank in the future. I’ve a lot of really good info on how to make rocks along with all the ingrediants you need.

My question is, do you think you could use white mortar rather then cement? I’ve got some left over and would like to use it rather than going and buying cement.

I would really appreciate hearing your opinions

Thanks

Cliff519:
There is mortar in regular portland cement. Mortar usually does not have the larger aggrigate pieces found in regular cement (e.g.- used for making sidewalks and drive ways). If you have left over mortar that is white, just be careful and make sure the white cement will not leach out white dye in the water. Additionally, mortar has lye in it too. It will leach out into your tank, so be careful with that as well. The lye WILL harm and possibly kill your fish. Therefore, if you can seal the mortar before adding water and fish, I would deffinitely do it. What to use to seal the mortar, I have no idea as I have never used mortar for a fish tank project. Just for the construction of many houses (e.g. laying up bricks, stones, etc. for asthetic appearances of the home's exterior siding.) But if you can definitely keep the mortar from leaching lye into the tank water, yes, I would use it to make your rocks you intend to make for your DIY project. It would really be a complimentry contrast with a variety of color in your reef set-up.

I hope this helps and I wish you much success with you project.

~ David

 

[Cliff519]

Thanks Dave, i did not realize there was enough lye in mortar to be concerned about.

I will get the portland cement like everyone else is using

Thanks again