Ohio Reef

Reef Discussion => Fish Breeding & Coral Propagation => Topic started by: lazylivin on February 15, 2010, 23:15:53

Title: DIY Frag Plugs
Post by: lazylivin on February 15, 2010, 23:15:53: I took a stab at making some DIY plugs

Filled a Plastic mixing container with sculpting sand. Came pre-moistened to perfect consistency.
They sell the plastic mixing containers with the concrete mix at Lowes and HomeDepot.

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi486.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Frr227%2Flazylivin%2FDIY%2520Frag%2520Plugs%2FIMG_1496.jpg&hash=fc19d36dbfdc78eecabaea26810a22af13a5a49b)

If your sand is dry, wet it so you can squeeze it and it keeps shape.

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi486.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Frr227%2Flazylivin%2FDIY%2520Frag%2520Plugs%2FIMG_1493.jpg&hash=a6f026b3f5b5d919e1a429282b5db0931a3e78a5)

Next push your mold into the sand.

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi486.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Frr227%2Flazylivin%2FDIY%2520Frag%2520Plugs%2FIMG_1499.jpg&hash=35af4a64208ae6a447e39d20a89197cb41eb4caa)

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi486.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Frr227%2Flazylivin%2FDIY%2520Frag%2520Plugs%2FIMG_1522.jpg&hash=51e6ffaa68ec53120b6e468e1b2cf1d8caa63a0e)

Now you are ready to make concrete.

2 or 3 parts reef grade sand

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi486.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Frr227%2Flazylivin%2FDIY%2520Frag%2520Plugs%2FIMG_1502.jpg&hash=c34fb49f8417990e5c296e0ab74b1ea6515127e3)

1 part Type I/II Portland Cement.

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi486.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Frr227%2Flazylivin%2FDIY%2520Frag%2520Plugs%2FIMG_1505.jpg&hash=e9fb86b95864ffaa202ed138ed69f6428f608f95)

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi486.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Frr227%2Flazylivin%2FDIY%2520Frag%2520Plugs%2FIMG_1507.jpg&hash=0678ce3ea79f614b18016c5378ed585bb714b8c6)

and a little water

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi486.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Frr227%2Flazylivin%2FDIY%2520Frag%2520Plugs%2FIMG_1511.jpg&hash=82341a41850941cbf3e7a1647571d680964660de)

The concrete will be a gray color when mixing but if you use white reef sand it will dry a little lighter. They do make white cement but it has to be special ordered. If color is important to you, check with me as I have some on order and it should be here this week.

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi486.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Frr227%2Flazylivin%2FDIY%2520Frag%2520Plugs%2FIMG_1512.jpg&hash=68abd497d1f81c2bad5a13a0d990e7af06f9a3ec)

I mixed it pretty watery so it takes to the mold better. Especially when making frag plugs with the bottom peg to fit egg crate.

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi486.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Frr227%2Flazylivin%2FDIY%2520Frag%2520Plugs%2FIMG_1525.jpg&hash=03596518b4f753c1a3c6a72861817f73ef2e056f)

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi486.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Frr227%2Flazylivin%2FDIY%2520Frag%2520Plugs%2FIMG_1527.jpg&hash=bcde3513f02207cd4fa919e23db0922497f2d781)

Let it dry in the mold for about 24 hours and pull them out for a few days of air drying.

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi486.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Frr227%2Flazylivin%2FDIY%2520Frag%2520Plugs%2FIMG_1547.jpg&hash=be66c3e77cdab4f5d2a7d1f98683e1770b2e9f6f)

Dont forget to put them in water for 3-4 weeks to bring PH down before using them.

If you make some post up pics of your creations.

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi486.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Frr227%2Flazylivin%2FDIY%2520Frag%2520Plugs%2FIMG_1478.jpg&hash=74b52711c7fe703c0af3f08cc855e76bf534c163)

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi486.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Frr227%2Flazylivin%2FDIY%2520Frag%2520Plugs%2FIMG_1481.jpg&hash=be746fefa9909aa764bbef9f46419ebe5f971bc1)

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi486.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Frr227%2Flazylivin%2FDIY%2520Frag%2520Plugs%2FIMG_1490.jpg&hash=8dbe5543b660341028aaa333a2a52e8a6422f898)
Title: Re: DIY Frag Plugs
Post by: Secondgen on February 15, 2010, 23:45:39: I like that frag rack Brian. Cool shape. Would look good loaded with frags. :)
Title: Re: DIY Frag Plugs
Post by: lazylivin on February 15, 2010, 23:49:53: Thanks Dave ^-^
Title: Re: DIY Frag Plugs
Post by: jd on February 15, 2010, 23:51:44: Those look nice Brian. I say you frag red zoas on the outside of the rack and yellow in the middle, that way it will look like a flower made of little flowers ;)
Title: Re: DIY Frag Plugs
Post by: lazylivin on February 16, 2010, 00:01:53: That would be really neat. I will make some smaller ones so we can give that a try. The one in the pictures is really large.
Title: Re: DIY Frag Plugs
Post by: HUNGER on February 16, 2010, 04:04:23: ya that would be cool
Title: Re: DIY Frag Plugs
Post by: Rayman on February 17, 2010, 23:58:46: Yes it would. Man lazy you are like the Bob Ross of frag plugs. :notworthy
Title: Re: DIY Frag Plugs
Post by: ghurlag on February 20, 2010, 16:10:11: ..."and now, let's cure a happy little frag rack right there." O0

I miss Bob Ross. He was the man
Title: Re: DIY Frag Plugs
Post by: Boonjob on November 07, 2011, 16:59:47: To cut the ph stabilize time down on these, put them in your toilet tank... sounds funny, but every time you flush you will get a fresh new batch of stabalized water and out with the bad water.
Title: Re: DIY Frag Plugs
Post by: HUNGER on November 07, 2011, 17:12:44: Quote from: Boonjob on November 07, 2011, 16:59:47
To cut the ph stabilize time down on these, put them in your toilet tank... sounds funny, but every time you flush you will get a fresh new batch of stabalized water and out with the bad water.
wow thats a great idea and u save water
Title: Re: DIY Frag Plugs
Post by: lazylivin on November 07, 2011, 18:35:26: Quote from: Boonjob on November 07, 2011, 16:59:47
To cut the ph stabilize time down on these, put them in your toilet tank... sounds funny, but every time you flush you will get a fresh new batch of stabalized water and out with the bad water.

Would the copper be a problem?
Title: Re: DIY Frag Plugs
Post by: HUNGER on November 07, 2011, 18:51:01: i wouldnt think it would unless u dont flush for days
Title: Re: DIY Frag Plugs
Post by: Boonjob on November 07, 2011, 18:51:31: Not sure, I doubt that homes with older copper pipe would leach much copper in to the system if any at all... I have pvc up to the toilet and all the components in the toilet are plastic... but I'd imagine it could.
Title: Re: DIY Frag Plugs
Post by: Boonjob on November 07, 2011, 18:52:19: We can test!
Title: Re: DIY Frag Plugs
Post by: lazylivin on November 13, 2013, 20:06:46: Here is different style I made out of ceramic. Nice thing about these is no curing is necessary. They can immediately be used in the tank. WIth this design the frag plug can be inserted and it will look more natural then a plug mounted to rock work. Also makes a nice stable base if sitting on the sand.

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg585.imageshack.us%2Fimg585%2F3382%2Fz5p2.jpg&hash=522864e41fb59f9b051e15694170ac70706b1c16)

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg543.imageshack.us%2Fimg543%2F1230%2Fgzbp.jpg&hash=748f69bfb08a2fa72a247d186b3517870ea7769f)
Title: Re: DIY Frag Plugs
Post by: Myreef55 on November 13, 2013, 22:19:32: Very cool!
Title: Re: DIY Frag Plugs
Post by: barboyr on November 14, 2013, 08:56:58: Does the sculpting sand stick to the cement? Does it stay loose to break away?
Title: Re: DIY Frag Plugs
Post by: lazylivin on November 14, 2013, 12:44:11: It sticks. The sculpting sand is nice to work with but because it is brown and sticks I stopped using it. This past summer I made a bunch and used fine white sand and white cement. They came out really nice. I mix and put in Dixie cups now, much easier. I will get a pic and post. I think going forward the ceramic are way to go but if you don't have a kiln it is a pain and more costly. Fortunately a friend let me borrower his for a couple weeks which is making work quick from build to tank ready. About 4 days due to drying time.
Title: Re: DIY Frag Plugs
Post by: chromiumlux on November 14, 2013, 19:31:05: I saw these in person the other day. These are nice plugs. The ceramic ones are heavy too.
Title: Re: DIY Frag Plugs
Post by: lazylivin on November 25, 2013, 20:07:23: Here are some of the plugs I have made recently.

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg13.imageshack.us%2Fimg13%2F6613%2Fj6gw.jpg&hash=91392d506fb768741e0ba7b6ea84dcfc415ff26b)
Title: Re: DIY Frag Plugs
Post by: Travis8896 on November 25, 2013, 20:12:46: Wow that's a lot!
Title: Re: DIY Frag Plugs
Post by: Twizted1 on November 26, 2013, 08:29:43: You going to start selling them? That's a lot of plugs.
Title: Re: DIY Frag Plugs
Post by: lazylivin on November 26, 2013, 09:56:35: I probably will have some for sale at the swap. It took quite a few runs to figure out out which sizes and styles I like so many that I won't use.