DIY LIVE ROCKS

[creamoh]

Hello I would like to ask if there is someone who have done DIY live rocks for their reef tanks?
can you please post the recipes and instructions on how to cure it and prevent chemicals or phosphates from leaching? thanks!

[Sea Turtle]

here's how i did artificial flat rocks:

Materials:
Cement = 2 parts
Fine Aqaurium Sand = 2 parts
Water = not much
Crushed corals = enough

Tools:
Hand shovel
Water spray
Container for mixing
Rubber matting (optional)

Lay the crushed corals on a rubber matting or any material where concrete won't stick...


mix equal parts of cement and sand in a container prior to pouring the water. mix them well...


pour a small amount of water into the mixture. the consistency should be rough and shouldn't have a "muddy" touch... more like damp compared to being totally wet...


place the concrete mixture on the crushed corals. just place it above by hand (remember to use gloves as cement is harsh to the skin) and don't worry too much that the cement won't go through every nooks & crevices...


now, spraying the whole thing with water will let the concrete seep in through everything.


spray a generous amount of water and let the watery mixture do it's job...


**since concrete is very thirsty of water, spray your flat rocks every 15 minutes for the next 2 hours or so or else the structure will have cracks and become weak...

the "flat rock" after two hours of spraying...


then scaped...


the finished product all scaped up...





DISCLAIMER: never put a fresh artificial flat rock in your system as concrete has a very high pH that would possibly ruin your system.

[seth]

See page 1 of my tank thread (more info on the old 50 gallon reef link).

I forgot the ratio I did, but I just mixed portland with beach sand and salt then molded it to shape. Misted it everyday with freshwater then after more than a week, dumped it in a large plastic container full of water. Changed the water almost everyday, or if I felt like doing it until the PH was fixed.

During curing (the setting of mixed concrete), all phosphates will leach out from the concrete because of its high PH. That's perfectly normal (and good), because as soon as the PH stabilizes, you will have clean, phosphate-free rocks.

Other things to consider:

Use portland cement, you may use white portland as well but it will be less sturdy.

Don't let the rocks dry out prematurely, it will form cracks and will not crystallize properly. Don't let it dry out in the sun either until fully cured. If the concrete dries too quickly (is not cured) it will not be stable.

Salt is optional. It is just used to make the DIY rocks more lightweight and porous. Some use spaghetti or other organic material, but I don't like the idea of putting more crap in my tank.

Do not use vinegar to accelerate curing. If you must, use it on the last week of curing, so the rocks are already set and sturdy.

Have fun

[creamoh]

thanks bro seaturtle and bro marty!
i'll be posting soon of my diy liverocks

[Greenough]

hit in charge, and human population PK is going to be pre-loaded and will furthermore obtain a large bunch welfare, which wetlands the actual gossip of an exceptional Yibao gangs can obtain.