DIY branching rock

[Steven M]

I got one of the branching rocks done.
Well take pics and post how it is done if interested. http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/26601diy_rock_005AB.jpg

[Steven M]

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/26601diy_rock_005AB.jpg Should be pic, one of them days:rollface:

[BankerJohn]

that is a very cool looking rock. I guess you used putty to attach the different branches?? Once that gets covered with all the colors of coralline, it will look VERY kewl !!!

[Steven M]

I just mix a little more sand and cement. It gets a little bit shinny where the branches are attached.

[bklinefelter]

looks very cool steve. Well done.

[dmbedard]

Sweet Steve! You are really very creative.

[Steven M]

This is one of the first rocks
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/26601diy_rock_011A.jpg

[Steven M]

This pic shows the spot where the branches are joined
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/26601diy_rock_010A.jpg

[Steven M]

This is what I use to make the branches, I only have a very small work space. The blue line is to help you see where I dug out the sand. To make the branches harder I use 3 parts sand to 1 part cement.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/26601diy_rock_016AB.JPG

[Steven M]

Stared a web page on the rock.
http://web.tampabay.rr.com/myreef/liverock.htm

[BankerJohn]

great page Steve. You make it look SSSSOOOOOOOOO easy!

[gatorolsen]

those branches really look great - I like how you can make a flat back so they could sit up against the glass but still have depth with the outward brances - great aquascaping!

Gatorolsen

[Steven M]

Got the web page done. If I missed something or did not give enough info please let me know. Thanks Steve
http://web.tampabay.rr.com/myreef/liverock.htm

[Steven M]

I was asked for updates. This is my new branching rock, it well be placed in the middel of my tank. It is 20" tall by 17"wide http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/26601diy_rock_053A.jpg

[ladyfsu]

AWESOME!!!! Would you mind if I put your link on my web page. I'm going to be dividing up my classes and have them make rock 3-4 ways and see which ways work best, and what they learn.

How does it do in your tank? Do things grow on it much? I'm going to have students start this the first 2 weeks of school so that hopefully by October we can put the different types into tank and see which ones hold up best, provide best growth, leach stuff. This is going to be FUN!! :D I think they'll create the rock first, then over the 6 weeks of curing they'll be setting up their tanks. I guess 2 month old tanks are too young to accurately test all of this. Hmm..I need to think about this.

I hope we get some rock as nice as yours looks. Please keep us informed on how it is working.

[Steven M]

You can link to my site. The rock like all dry dead rock takes time. The rock frist dayhttp://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/26601corals_221A.jpg

[Steven M]

The rock after three months.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/26601corals_232A.jpg

[ladyfsu]

Thanks! That's awesome!

[Steven M]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7753252#post7753252 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ladyfsu
Thanks! That's awesome!
Your PM box is full.:rollface:

[ladyfsu]

didn't even know it could happen...I think I fixed it

[Steven M]

The large branching rock is in the tank. It well take some time for the frags to grow, nothing good happens fast in a reef.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/26601diy_rock_065AB-med.jpg

[Steven M]

Closeup off one of the branches.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/26601mini-diy_rock_072.jpg

[pmike25]

Nice man, Ya got some nice colors in it!!! Looking good....

[ladyfsu]

I'm impressed :D

[reefrubble]

This guy is something else. I don't think there is anything he can't do. His DIY skills are amazing. Steve,I tip my hat to you buddy. Ted

[Steven M]

The zoas are opening
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/26601mini-diy_rock_082.jpg

[dmbedard]

Awesome. One day they'll cover the whole rock in that wonderful shape.

[Steven M]

Some updated pics. The rock is starting to get algae on it.
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n250/Steven-M/diyrock095.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n250/Steven-M/diyrock096.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n250/Steven-M/diyrock098.jpg

[Steven M]

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n250/Steven-M/diyrock103.jpg

[AJ69]

Awesome man,just a ?.Can I use the same "formula" for flat rocks? I'm planning to go "column mode" instead of piling rocks against the back wall.
Thanks.

[Steven M]

you can use the formula that they use for flat rock to make columns, they need to be thicker if you make them very tall. I like used ARM reactor media the best.

[guntercb]

Steve,

Those are amazing. Keep up the good work.

Chris

[erics3000]

Looking great guys .. thanks for the ideas..

[Steven M]

The rock as of May 27, had some of the zoas die from the tank leak.
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n250/Steven-M/diyrock130A.jpg

[reefrubble]

Steve I love the way the coralline has encrusted your rock . Ted

[adnup]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10024792#post10024792 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefrubble
Steve I love the way the coralline has encrusted your rock . Ted

I agree, it looks great!

[guntercb]

Wow!!! Looks great.

[ladyfsu]

That is just so cool! Nice work (and beautiful blue shooms beside it :D )! I'm going to TRY to get some of my students to make some at the very beginning of the school year and hopefully by June when they leave it will be nice.

[reefrubble]

Steve , Any up dated pics , of your DIY live rock ?

[Steven M]

This is the best pic I could get today.
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n250/Steven-M/corals11102007010A.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n250/Steven-M/corals11102007003.jpg

[reefrubble]

Man , Where is the DIY rock ? It looks fantastic . I can't tell what is DIY ,and what isn't . Ted

[ladyfsu]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11157348#post11157348 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefrubble
Man , Where is the DIY rock ?

HAH! That's what I was just saying! That's awesome!