Things You'll Need
- Large sturdy plastic container
- 2 plastic buckets, 5 gallons each
- Rubber gloves
- Water
- White porous cement
- Fine sand
- Nontoxic and water resistant paint
- Paint brush
- Clear aquarium silicone sealant
- Macaroni
- Small twigs
- Crushed oyster shells
Instructions
The Mold
Dump enough sand into the plastic container to accommodate the desired size of stone.
Mix water with the sand until sand is wet but not muddy.
Scoop, press, hollow out, the desired shape of the stone or stones into the sand. This will be the mold.
Allow sand to dry completely.
Mixture (Aragocrete)
Put on the rubber gloves and mix just enough water with the cement until the cement can be formed into a ball.
Add small twigs, macaroni, or crushed oyster shells if desired.
Gently press the mixture into the forms in the sand.
Allow the mixture to dry completely. This may take from a few hours to a few days depending on the cement used.
Completion
Remove the stone or stones from the sand.
Rinse sand from the rock by gently brushing it away and by submerging the rock in clean water.
In another container, submerse rock in clean water. Be sure that the rock is completely under water.
Change water daily for up to 6 months in order to lower the rock's pH factor.
Painting the stone is optional. Use bright colors such as neon orange, iridescent blues, greens and yellows.
Allow to dry.
Apply sealant, especially if the stone will be used in water such as in an aquarium.
Be sure the rock is completely dry before using.