Hydraulic Cement Reef Safe?

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ChiTownRomeo

Aquarium Advice Freak
Joined
Jun 26, 2012
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A friend of mine told me instead of buying the expensive reef epoxy, just to go to home depot and get some Hydraulic Cement. Has anyone used this before and is it reef safe after it dries? I want to bond some rock work together.
 
Well, while I don't have any anecdotal evidence either way, I am a QC Manager at a concrete company, and knowing how the cement powder is made, I personally wouldn't put it in my tank.
Most cements are made from a combination of mined clays that are high in silicates, crushed limestone, plus a few other ingredients..... While set/hardened concrete is typically inert for most applications, my fear would be the slow leeching silicates feeding an extended diatom bloom, and the presence of the limestone rich material acting as a buffer to raise the pH.
Someone else may be able to chime in with some actual experience contrary to this....
 
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