[SIZE=+2]MATERIALS FOR PROJECT #1 :[/SIZE]
Two bags Carib SeaTM aragonite gavel - we use one fine and one course
One bag #3 Portland cement
[SIZE=+2]TOOLS:[/SIZE]
Styrofoam fish shipping boxes
Shovel
Plastic buckets
spoons
TERMS WE WILL USE FOR THE SERIES OF INSTRUCTIONS
ARAGOCRETETM - The mixture of aragonite and cement we make the live rocks with
BEACH BOXES -The sand filled boxes we form the rocks in
MOLD HOLES - The shapes we dig in the wet sand to pour the aragocrete? in
DECORATIONS - The rocks and shells we bury in the mold holes that will be on the surface of the live rocks
CURING - Methods we use to finish the drying process
THIS LIVE ROCK WAS MOLDED FROM ARAGOCRETETM
AND THE ZOANTHIDS, PALYTHOA AND MUSHROOMS
WERE ATTACHED USING GARF REEF GLUE
AND THE METHODS WE TEACH
[SIZE=+3]INSTRUCTIONS:[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+2]MATERIALS:[/SIZE]
Carib SeaTM aragonite sand.
#3 portland cement
[SIZE=+2]INSTRUCTIONS:[/SIZE]
Mix 6 parts Carib SeaTM aragonite sand with 1 part portland cement.
Let the aragocreteTM set for 24 hours before you take rocks out.
Soak the rocks in white vinegar for 12 hours and rinse them in fresh water before you use them.
[SIZE=+3]MAKING LIVE ROCKS:[/SIZE]
We use styrofoam boxes for making our molds, because all of the finished live rocks will eventually be shipped in styrofoam boxes. We have noticed that the students tend to make the live rocks bigger and bigger if they have a chance.
Styrofoam boxes also hold the heat that is generated as the concrete cures. It is best to keep these boxes at room temperature so that the hardened rocks can be removed in 24 hours. After the rocks are removed from the beach boxes the excess aragonite is brushed off and saved.
The rocks are then placed under water for several days to continue curing. Cement becomes strongest when it is allowed to dry slowly. If the rocks are shipped before they are allowed to cure we experience a lot of breakage.
We have been mixing our batches of concrete in a regular size wheelbarrow and we vary the mixture of araganite and CarbiSea Aruba shells so that our live rocks all look different. You can add many different types of CaribSea gravel to your aragacrete mixture.
We always mix the aragacrete with clean fresh water. When you are mixing the water and araganite gravel try to get the mixture as dry as possible, while still getting it wet enough to hold together when you squeeze a hand full. The dryer you can make your aragocreteTM mix the stronger your final product will be.
Please use the form on this page to report any ideas you have on new ways to produce live rocks from concrete.
UNIQUE HAND MOLDED ARAGOCRETETM LIVEROCKS ADD MORE PROFIT TO YOUR REEF PRODUCTION SYSTEM
[SIZE=+2]MAKING ARAGOCRETETM LIVE ROCKS LESSON 2:[/SIZE] [SIZE=+2]
MAKING A CAVE ROCK[/SIZE]
THIS IS THE TYPE OF LIVE ROCK WE WILL MAKE THIS LESSON
THIS IS OUR LIVE ROCK CAVE AFTER
16 MONTHS IN SALLY JO'S REEF AQUARIUM
[SIZE=+2]MATERIALS:[/SIZE]
- Carib SeaTM aragonite sand
in styrofoam fish shipping box for making mold.
- Carib SeaTM aragonite sand
for making aragocreteTM
- Portland cement
- Plastic buckets
- Small shovel
- Fresh Water for mixing aragocreteTM
- Fresh Water for washing equipment
[SIZE=+2]INSTRUCTIONS:[/SIZE]
Fill the fish box 1/2 full of Carib SeaTM aragonite sand and dampen with fresh water - the sand needs to be only moist.
Dig an oval hole in the sand that will be the shape of the finished rock.
Mix 5 parts Carib SeaTM aragonite sand with 1 part portland cement.
Pour the aragacrete into each hole in the mold.
Hollow out a hole in the middle of the rock and pour in some Carib SeaTM aragonite sand. This sand will form the inside of the cave.
Cover the rock with Carib SeaTM aragonite sand and tap on the side of the box about 20 times with your hands -- this will settle the sand into the aragocreteTM
Let the aragacreteTM set for 24 hours before you remove the rock from the sand.
Soak the rock in white vinegar for 12 hours and rinse them in fresh water before you use them.
SAND MOLDING AN ARCH SHAPED LIVE ROCK This is a simple form to make and it sells very well in several sizes.
STEP 1. Dig out the sand in your box to form the basic shape you want. Be careful not to expose the bottom of the box or your rock will have an unnatural flat spot.
STEP 2. Place the aragocrete mix into the mold hole and insert any sea shells or rocks you want use 1/2 way into wet aragocrete.
STEP 3. Cover the rock with sand - a very natural looking rock is made by using a different sand on the top of the rock. This will look like the rock was formed in the ocean.
STEP 4. Allow the rock to dry 48 hours and wash it in fresh water. Your rocks will be much stronger if you cure them in cold fresh water for 1 week.
CREATING A HAND MADE ARAGOCRETE LIVE ROCK
The sand molded rock is washed in white vinegar and rinsed in fresh water. The rock is placed in a grow out system with good light and water flow.
STEP 1. Treat the system water with extra SeaChem Reef Builder and Reef Calcium to start the coralline algae.
STEP 2. After the rock starts to grow coralline algae you can glue several small cuttings to the rock with super glue gel.
STEP 3. Allow the live rock to finish growing. Watch for unwanted algae and Aiptasia anemones. We use Copper Band Butterfly fish and Reef Janitors in our grow - out systems to control these pests.
That is all there is to it. I hope you make some and then they can leave an extra piece of native live rock in the sea for a while longer so the mantis shrimp and his dinner can hide in it.
