Making aragacreate....

Alright guys. I almost have them ready for pics. Not all rocks look good in my opinion, but I saved tons of $ and a tiny part of the reef. So, it's all good.

They have been in the curing tub for about a month. I put air stone and a powerhead w/ the air hose plug-in in one tub and just air stone in the other one. I change the water every 4 days. The pH is 8.8 the last time I changed the water. Hopefully, I will have them ready in a month.

Also, I am planning to make more and wondering if I can place them in the lake behind my house (to speed up the curing process and to save water)? Maybe I can place them in a tub then place the tub in the water? I see a guy spray something on the bank of the lake from a small boat once in a while. I think it's some kind of weed killer, tho not sure. Would the rock absorb the chemical?

Thanks!
GKW

 

The residue might cling to the rocks.

 

That and the rocks would actully cycle with FW bacteria when there out there. You would have to recure your rock for SW water.

 

My LFS sells home made rock they buy from a local guy in town and he cures the rock in a lake. I haven't bought any because even though its cheap, its very heavy and the weight negates the low price.

 

Hmm...if the chemical they put spray on the banks is no problem, then I might just throw them in the lake.

About recuring in saltwater, how long will that take? Comparing to curing in tub for at least 2 months, I would think curing in the lake is much faster. So, I might be able to cure them in the lake for like a month and in saltwater say...2 wks??

 

That might work I would leave them in the dark to so FW algae doesn't start growing on it.

 

how about using just the water from the lake? instead of putting the rock in the lake, i will be using the lake water to fill the curing tub. will i have to recure it in FW?

thanks!

 

Whats the point of using the lake water if your not going to put it in the lake. If you were putting it in the lake to speed up the cure time that would be one thing but if your just going to use lake water in a tub your better off using tap water.

 

What about using your old water to cure rock with, i mean the levels in your tank are good and the water is only going to be poured down the drain. Using your old water during water changes would also bring the micros into the rock early. Might even cure them faster?