DIY Live Rock Recipes?

[The Shrimp X]

ok, ok, i know there are a lot of threads, but the search is nt working, and i want some recipes. Ok i would like to know what is the best recipe to use it needs to be very sturdy, porus, and easy. It would be easier to know like how many cups of each you used first instead of like 5 parts this and that. Thanks so much!!! Also is it ok to use in a reef tank (after it cures for around 6-10 weeks in ro water, doing water changes often)

[spuzio]

I just made up a batch of DIY rock and the recipe that i used was

1 Part Portland Cement
1 Part Southdown Sand
4 Parts Cruched Coral

If dont like it in the parts measurement it translates to...

1 Cup Portland Cement
1 Cup Southdown Sand
4 Cups Cruched Coral

I have heard about using pasta or rock salt in the mix, but i decided against it as i wanted a more sturdy rock.

[sambo]

I used the same basic "five parts aggregate to one part cement, but used as aggregate..

1 part aragonite sand (Seflor Special Grade?)
1 part crushed coral
3 parts crushed oyster shell.

Crushed oyster shell's dirt cheap at most farm supply stores. Used for chicken feed supplement, or something.

[The Shrimp X]

Ok when you say 5 parts aggregate and 1 part cement do you mean like 1 cup of aragonite sand, 1 cup crushed coral, 3 cups crushed oyster shell, and 1 cup cement?

[sambo]

Bingo... We've got a winner. I used a big plastic beer cup!

[bassman57]

do you guys have any pictures of you DIY rocks? I haven't heard of doing this before, but it sounds neat.

[little_d]

Here it is, I use 1 cup of water, 1 cup of cement and 4 cup of oyster shell.

[bassman57]

Cool, any other pictures?

[The Shrimp X]

well the only prob with your lay out is that is is layed on a flat surface making part of the rck very fake looking

[bassman57]

spuzio, you have any pics of your creation.

[sales weasel]

Here ya go:
www.garf.org Look on the left side of the page and you'll see lots of options. Click on How To Pages and Look for Aragacrete. Also, when the search function is working again, search for aragacrete here. I saw some awesome rocks made by guys here at RC.

I have a batch in the garage curing in vinegar. It's really fun to make and the key is to not make them flat or too big. I made several table rocks w/3 legs and then a few holes in the top of the table. I also made several domes that are hollow on the inside and have doors that resemble igloos. I plan to grow mats of zoas on the domes. I'm now starting on diy Tonga Branch rocks. You make these w/a grout or mortar bag that can be bought at Home Depot in the cement or tile section. You have to make these one layer at a time.

[dchap]

Here are some of my creations.

1 part very thick portland cement
5 parts oyster shells
0 parts sand (yep, no sand)
2 parts plastic shavings

[sales weasel]

Now those are some nice rocks. The first few look like they've already been in the tank a while. I have some PVC pipe that I'm going to do grind up for shavings. According to Garf, Coralline likes plastic and it's light.

[rick17]

How do you get plastic shavings?

[sambo]

Here's a couple more...

[bassman57]

dchap, how did you mold your rocks. Is the mixture like clay when you make it or what?

[Phoneguy982]

You're probably better off making a few pieces like balls and various shapes, then put your mixture around a few formed pieces that are real wet or have a little veg oil on it and once it starts to stiffen a little, pull the formed pieces away and the impression will be textured to make it look like rock.

[sales weasel]

From acrylic or PVC. The easiest way is to use a dril and just start drilling holes. Mixing this in with the LR makes it light and coralline will grow on it quicker.

Originally posted by rick17
How do you get plastic shavings?

[bassman57]

i like those second pics a little better sambo

[rick17]

Thanks sales weasel gess i'm going to get the drill out and start making holes in some pvc pipes that are just laying around

[jsbzmcdaniel]

The capative ocean booth at IMAC had some AWSOME looking man made live rock that was ceramic based. There was a large piece in their display tank that they called the "Island". It was the nicest man made stuff I have seen with awsome shapes. I will see if I can get a pic.

[jsbzmcdaniel]

The capative ocean booth at IMAC had some AWSOME looking man made live rock that was ceramic based. There was a large piece in their display tank that they called the "Island". It was the nicest man made stuff I have seen with awsome shapes. I will see if I can get a pic.

[Phoneguy982]

How long do you wait before it is ready to go into the tank?

[dchap]

Originally posted by bassman57
dchap, how did you mold your rocks. Is the mixture like clay when you make it or what?

I use a sandbox method, using a large rubbermaid tub, filling it partiall up with sand, and I build the rocks up, rather than laying flat. Seems to work for me. Oh, the mixture is about like dry cottage cheese, or very lumpy oatmeal. Seems to get the most porus rocks so far.

Oh, I get plastic shavings from scrap acrylic from my local plastic shop, and I drill holes with a woodchipper bit, and save the plastic shavings. You could do the same things with PVC, or any other plastic.

[dchap]

Originally posted by Phoneguy982
How long do you wait before it is ready to go into the tank?

Some say months, some say a few days.

I take my rocks, soak them in diluted vinegar for about 24 hours, change to fresh water, and change the water out every 2-3 days until the crap stops collecting at the top of the water. Then, I switch to saltwater, usually do a water change on that once and let it sit for a few days, and test the PH. If it's in the 8.4 range or so, I use them. No problems yet, and I just threw in about 40 pounds into my 3 year old tank, and the PH didnt move. My seeding tank jumped to about 8.6, but still, not bad for adding almost 150 pounds.