Diy Live Rock

[Jewel]

Has anybody ever made their own Live Rock? I've been doing a bit of research on it and it seems fairly easy, curing the rock is time consuming but you could save lots of money doing it your self. Might be a great project over the winter.

 

[EricTMah]

I have many man made rocks in my system. But not difficult at all. Very simple material list.

Takes time. You have to cure the rocks for 6-12 weeks. Depending how many water changes you do while curing.

I have a whole bag of white cement that I used. Still a ton left. I'd be willing to give some away for anyone wanting to give it a shot. Depending on the amount you'll want.

 

[TORX]

I have not DIY'ed any rock. But that is only because of the curing process time frame. It would be great for a new build if you plan on waiting months to set it up. There are some great advantages to it with customizing for your specific tank and you can make some cool designs. I spent hours looking into it when I started in the hobby, just never completed any, again, just due to the curing process.

 

[EricTMah]

Ya. The waiting sucks.

If someone is planning to do this. It should be the very first thing that's done once the size of tank has been decided on.

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[Jewel]

What was your material list and how did you go about it?

 

[EricTMah]

http://www.thefragtank.ca/community/index.php?threads/10817/
My 120g Mixed reef build*05/16/14 Short Video added*

That's my build thread. It's quite simple actually. Just need room to do it. Takes up a lot of space and makes a mess.

You'll need;
Rock material;
Portland cement. Type 3 is best but you'll probably only find type 1. Which is what I used
Culligan rock salt.

Forming;
Childrens playground sand
Styro coolers or lg rubbermaid containers
Vapor barrier or some garbage bags.

Curing;
Same styro coolers/rubbermaid containers
Air pump with airstone
Power heads (more the better)

Foam reef wall (great way to hide overflow box)

Egg create
Cable ties
Crushed coral
Marine grade fiberglass
Dry rocks (can be diy rock too)
Laguna pond spray foam
Aquarium grade silicone


If you're still interested. I'll give more details. But you get the idea.


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[Sewerat]

Eric I have thought of this myself but rather then a wall like you have made was thinking of making my own shelf rock. Would it be just a simple pour and cure at that point? I have also seen methods of pouring concrete with sytro built into it for making lightweight. Any thought on that?

 

[Jewel]

When you incorporate the salt, It creates cavities as it dissolves, which in turn makes it light, I will make all the rock for the tank that way and seed it with Live.

 

[EricTMah]

Shelf pieces would be a joke to make. It's the other shapes that are more challenging.

I mix the rock salt with the concrete prior to forming. Then during the curing process the salt will dissolve. Leaving you with a lighter rock and a lot more porous. Which resembles live rock more.

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[sunnykita]

that's cool ! hmmm, darn don't want to wait 12 weeks, I have enough mess and projects on the go at the moment LOL

 

[Sewerat]

Think I might need a rock building station set up in my fish room....maybe have a rock building meet n greet some day