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Post by tntmom on Aug 11, 2009 18:10:15 GMT -5
I am working on my 2nd vibe batch of beach rocks. This batch is mostly the rocks that I neglected to use in my first batch because they were not as round, had ugly pits etc... I have been running them in 120-220 grit for 7 days rinsing and recharging every 24 hours. I am still not happy with the smoothness of them but unfortunately, during the last 7 days I have went from a full bowl of rocks down to about a 1/2 bowl of rocks. I don't have any more rocks and didn't have any filler. However, I did have a 5 gallon bucket in the shed of natural aquarium rocks that were left over from a tank that I broke down a couple of years ago. I decided to try them out and am wondering if anyone else has used aquarium rocks before? They are very small and might possibly break down into nothing pretty quick. I am thinking that I will be running this grit for at least 5-10 more days. I am not sure where the aquarium rock came from but some of the pieces look like mini rocks of what I am tumbling now. Could you please take a look at the picture and tell me if I'm wasting my time? Are they too small to use as filler?  Thanks for looking! Krystee |
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Post by tntmom on Aug 11, 2009 18:58:20 GMT -5
OOPS! I just realized that most people here include a coin in their pictures so that everyone else can actually figure out what size rock they are looking at. I didn't do that in my first picture, sorry. Below is a picture of the aquarium rock with a penny for size reference.  Thanks again for looking! Krystee |
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lparker
fully equipped rock polisher
Still doing too much for being retired!
Member since March 2008
Posts: 1,202
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Post by lparker on Aug 11, 2009 19:18:31 GMT -5
As long as it is the same or lesser hardness of the tumble rocks, you're good to go.
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carloscinco
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,639
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Post by carloscinco on Aug 11, 2009 19:42:49 GMT -5
I use pea gravel which is mostly flint, petrified wood, chalcedony. Looks the same as your stuff. I think it gets into the nooks of some of the lumpier rocks.
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Post by MyNewHobby on Aug 11, 2009 20:35:12 GMT -5
From my understanding and trust me I am still learning ... having a full bowl is imperative for a successful tumble.
Any additional filler should be equal to or nothing more than .5 mohs difference on the rock you are focusing on. Preferably the filler should be softer than the rock.
I am getting ready to start another batch in the vibe and am going to be working with glass as my filler and additional cushion.
Just what I have learned so far.
Julie
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