DIY frag disks?

J&O'sdad · Feb 15, 2010

I am a mason and always have a few extra bags of mortar laying around. I also have a couple of bucket of used sand with nothing to do with it. Can I use regular masonry type s mortar for making plugs and DIY rocks?

Usol · Feb 15, 2010

oscarsdad said:
I am a mason and always have a few extra bags of mortar laying around. I also have a couple of bucket of used sand with nothing to do with it. Can I use regular masonry type s mortar for making plugs and DIY rocks?

Think all you need is Water and Aragonite to make the mix and then place into mold and just wait, then you need to pop them out of the mold and cure them for a few weeks in water, then take them out of water and let sit to dry for 24 hours and you have yourself frag plugs!!!

J&O'sdad · Feb 15, 2010

I was wondering because it already has sand in the mix. I am not 100% sure on what kind of sand is used in it.

J&O'sdad · Feb 15, 2010

I might just make a few cure them and then put one in and see if it grows algae or not.

Usol · Feb 15, 2010

oscarsdad said:
I was wondering because it already has sand in the mix. I am not 100% sure on what kind of sand is used in it.

i used sucessfully aragonite sand

suttumlikapimp · Feb 18, 2010

Mortar mix is not reef safe. It has chemicals that help it bond to surfaces better. i would just get a bag of portland cement

J&O'sdad · Feb 18, 2010

I did get portland. I wanted white but it was $30 a bag. For that price I should just buy them. I made 3 inch disks with a crushed coral and sand mix of 3 to 1.

iani · Feb 18, 2010

Or better yet, hydraulic cement.

Keiki · Feb 3, 2020

J&O'sdad said:
I did get portland. I wanted white but it was $30 a bag. For that price I should just buy them. I made 3 inch disks with a crushed coral and sand mix of 3 to 1.

I know this is an old thread, but I was googling and this came up. How strong/hard did your disks come out? I want to make some disks about 5"+ for some of my chalices that are getting big. I want to make them easier to cut later and not as strong. I also read if the mixture is a little soupy they won't be as strong.