theresa Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 I have wanted to build a rock wall for my favorite tank a 34 gallon Red Sea Max tank for a long time now. JasonJones had posted his tank showing how he had built his rock wall and needless to say I really liked it. Jason invited me over to see his and I loved it. If you have not seen Jason's tank and want to build rocks or rock wall go see his tank it is awesome. Pictures does not do it justice. With Jason's help I now have a rock wall built in my tank. January 30, 2011 Jason came over to my house to start on my tank. Jason asked me what and how I wanted it, I said I don't know, I am not creative, however Jason is extremely creative. We started mixing up the Portland white cement, sand, and crushed oyster shells and Jason started building the rock wall. Mixing up the mixture and building the wall did not take long and was really easy. I did the mixing and Jason did the building and I am very happy with it. Now for the curing of the rock build. This part takes time. Jason did all the research on curing the rocks and gave me the details. It has now been three weeks. Next week I will add water and start testing the pH. Once the rocks wall is built it is best to put in a damp warm place for 7 to 28 days. I kind of messed up on this part, however Jason saved the day for me and fixed it. You would not believe how porous this rock wall is. In the first 28 days I have every two to three days wet the rock wall down and take out excessive water at the bottom of the tank. Next week I will fill the tank with water and place powerheads to get lots of circulation going inside the tank to help with the curing part. Once the pH reads between 7 and 8.6 the curing will be finished. A very special thank to Jason for all his hard work, help and patience he has with me, You are going to be one great Lawyer. I really love my tank and can't wait to get it filled with my sea friends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad and Belinda Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 Theresa, That looks awesome. Kudos to you and Jason on a job well done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+KimP Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 I love tanks with a rock wall, and yours looks fantastic! Great job! I look forward to seeing it come along. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brooks Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 Gorgeous!! Good job Jason and Theresa! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diabeetus Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 thats awesome!! i love it! almost as awesome as mine -Corey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonJones Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 (edited) Great write up Theresa! I am glad you are so happy with the final product. I think it really came out looking great. If anyone else is interested in a wall, I want to test out a new way of making them and would be happy to built a wall for you. I will actually build two, one using the standard method and another using a faster curing concrete that should be ready to use in 2-3 weeks vs 2-3 months. I would like to do a full write up from start to finish on the wall, so we will take pictures throughout the process. The only thing I ask is that you provide the materials and are willing to take notes throughout the process and put together an initial draft of the write-up. If anyone is interested, let me know or talk to me at the meeting tomorrow night. Here are three more pictures we took of Theresa's wall after we brushed off any loose rock and removed the cardboard tubes to make the tunnels. Edited February 19, 2011 by JasonJones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theresa Posted February 19, 2011 Author Share Posted February 19, 2011 Thanks Everyone. so glad you like what Jason and I did. I still have aways to go but i am so proud of my rock wall and well worth it. Jason, once this tank is ready for my little critters I will be ready to do another tank and. I will be glad to volunteer. Also, I have plenty of white Portland cement, and crushed oyster shell and will share. Out of sand. Brooks I know you mention you do not like see tank equipment when looking at your tank. This is a great way of doing it. Let see if Jason will add a picture of his tank. Oh Corey...I am still waiting for pictures of your rock wall. Are you ready to do one like mine? I got plenty of stuff. All you need is sand. Jason, would you add a picture of your tank here? Once again thank you so much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonJones Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 Per your request Setting-up Pretty recent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brooks Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 Oh wow... That looks amazing. Jason, your tank is stunning. I might need to contact you soon, ha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diabeetus Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 i would really like a rock like you have (on the right side of your tank) that has a tunnel thru the middle. i have been trying to find a good one, but im thinking the only way to get a rock you really want is to make it yourself!! would that be a start to your new method? ill post pics of my rock wall soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonJones Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 I would be happy to work with you on making a rock with a hole in it. We could try them with the new method and the standard to see how they both fair. Making rocks is actually a lot more complicated than making a wall, at least to make ones that look good. With a wall you really only have to make it look good from one or two angles. However, with a rock, it has to look good and natural from every angle. I made 15 or so and really only liked 3 or 4. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 Wow, that is awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diabeetus Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 I would be happy to work with you on making a rock with a hole in it. We could try them with the new method and the standard to see how they both fair. Making rocks is actually a lot more complicated than making a wall, at least to make ones that look good. With a wall you really only have to make it look good from one or two angles. However, with a rock, it has to look good and natural from every angle. I made 15 or so and really only liked 3 or 4. oh yeah i remember you telling me that. well im still down to try it if you are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonJones Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 Sounds good. Here are the supplies you will need. Regular Mix: Portland Type 1 Cement, sand, oyster shell New Mix: Hydralic cement To make the hole, we will need a toilet paper roll or a kitchen towel roll. We will also need a large enough bin to make the rocks in and that can be sealed when done. We will need sand to use in the bottom of the bin to help shape the rock with Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diabeetus Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 ok sounds good. where did you get your supplies? im not sure i have seen hydraulic cement at lowes. or oyster shell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonJones Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 I purchased all of my supplies in Dallas. Theresa purchased everything here, she would be a good resource. I don't know about hydraulic cement, but I believe Lowes or Home Depot usually carry it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theresa Posted February 20, 2011 Author Share Posted February 20, 2011 ok sounds good. where did you get your supplies? im not sure i have seen hydraulic cement at lowes. or oyster shell Corey, I have plenty of oyster shells and Portland mix. I will help with finding the hydraulic cement (ask the neighbor). Want to do this at my house? I know we can get sugar sand from Prof. Jason are we still up for the rocks thoughts you have for my tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonJones Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 Yes ma'am. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diabeetus Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 ok sounds good! sounds like fun. when are yall available? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theresa Posted February 21, 2011 Author Share Posted February 21, 2011 Let me see where I can find the hydraulic cement and maybe we could do it next this coming weekend but the weekend after next. After next weekend anytime is fine with me. We could also do a thread and invite others you want. How does that sound? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonJones Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 Unfortunately, I will be out of town the next four weekends. So I will have to do it during the week or on a weekend sometime near the end of next month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 Theresa... This is beautiful!!!! Jason...Theresa has spoken very highly of you and your expertise.... Your tank is gorgeous. Theresa...I am still planning on coming over ....I am so sorry I missed the meeting today... I would have loved to hang out with you...it was great talking to you tonight...I want to see your Red Sea Max and it's journey!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoneroller Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 Awesome work ya'll. What a great DIY project demo for a meeting!! (I heard that MAAST is planning a frag swap for late March) When you do the wall I am assuming that you have to lay the tank over. True? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonJones Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 You don't have to. I made my walls outside the tank using a mold I made. So my walls can easily be taken out. Theresa's wall was made into the tank, which did require laying the tank on it's side. Hers probably cannot be removed without a struggle and may require breaking it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diabeetus Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 weekends are bad for me unless were giong to do it at night after 830. i might be able to get sunday off tho. we should definitely have a thread for it cause this whole process is getting popular right now and i know i needed all the info i could get my hands on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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