Anybody Make their own Rock?

[acidlittle]

Was wondering if anybody on here as any experience with making their own LR or making their own rock and then using it in their tanks. If anybody has I would be interested in some advice, as I think I am getting a 75gal this summer and going to need more rock. Being on a budget I don't want to spend a crap ton of cash on LR online so I was wodering if anybody knew how to do this.

Thanks
Josh

 

[Atticus]

It would be a good club project...

 

[overanalyzer]

I've done it before - used it and then sold it when I moved - I have some more made for my next big tank - the killer is to make sure you have plenty of "cure" time.

after listening to calfo speak on it and after snorkeling and seeing some of the fish I want to keep out in the ocean I think I am going with the less is more approach.

Ask some questions and I'll give you some answers - but I'd suggest starting on Garf.org.

 

[eshook]

I have made 2 rocks so far. They are curing. If you want any help or advice let me know.

I can take pictures of the final product if wanted.

Eric

 

[Covey]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6809564#post6809564 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Atticus
It would be a good club project...

Like that idea and it could possibly be even cheaper if we get a bunch of people in on it.

 

[eshook]

I don't think it would be much cheaper with more people. Thats just my opinion.

Basically what is involved:
Water (free)
Portland Cement (~$8.00 per 100 lb bag, will make a *LOT* of rock)
Crushed Coral ($35ish?)
Southdown/White Castle/Aragamax ($20-30ish)

Unless you could get a big discount on the Crushed coral or sand you couldn't save much money...

I used
1 part water
1 part portland
4-5 part crushed coral
1 part southdown

I would still like to do it as a club project! Just don't think we can save money doing it.

 

[IowaKevinK]

It sound like a good idea, I've heard of people useing noodles to make it very porous but, noodles might not disolve completly....
Any other ideas?

Kevin

 

[eshook]

Noodles do not work well, if they are covered in cement they will leech into the tank over time. If you want a porous design, straws work very well and for a nice outside texture use water softener salt. It gives a very nice texture and will not affect the cement or water quality.

I will try to post my diy of this within the week if someone twists my arm

Eric

 

[acidlittle]

Twist Twist, I'd like to see these pics of your rocks, as I haven't seen any pictures, I've heard how to do it but haven't seen the finished product.

 

[eshook]

Unfortunately you will have to wait until Sunday/Monday. Our camera is not cooperating and it doesn't want to upload finished pictures. I have pictures of the process, but not of the final rock. I'll try to get everything up and viewable by Monday. If you don't see anything by Monday night remind me ;o)

 

[acidlittle]

sounds like a good plan
How did you make your rock pourous then?

 

[got2lb]

I've heard that some people use rock salt so then it dissolves and leaves the rocks porous. That's why it takes so long to cure, to make sure it's all dissolved.

I've also heard people using crushed oyster shells (like you give to chickens for grit) but I've never figured out how that makes it porous? I think this would be a fun club project! I don't really need any rock but I would love to help out!

 

[overanalyzer]

I used straws and zip ties which you pull out after it starts to harden..... pvc pipe, anything plastic but you need to remember to pull it out before it fully bonds or you will have to cut it off....

 

[dl1030]

These are some pics of when the rocks first were droped in. you can get some nice shapes with a little planning ahead.

Three days after the garf grunge was put in the tank, and a tiny domino damsil.

I will get a new pic of the coralline growth this weekend, the rock is really starting to look nice after 3 months.

and the garf grundge is awesome, my tank is filled with pods/bugs! if you go DIY, buy 2lbs. I think i got 7lbs for my 90g and it was a ton to spread out.

 

[eshook]

I never tried zipties, but I suppose that would provide smaller holes than straws. Excellent idea overanalyzer I will try this on the next batch.

As for crushed oyster shells there have been many confirmed complaints about it leeching unwanted amounts of pH into the system. It hasn't been completely attributed but many people will not use them because it has caused algae problems. So personally I am sticking with crushed coral

P.S. The porousity comes in the fact that when you mix there are holes left between the uneven shaped shells making a hole. Enough holes makes it porous ;o)

The trick when making them is to keep the mixture *dry*. The drier the better (read stronger) if you make it too wet it will crumble. I would have 3 rocks if it wasn't for a wet mixture that crumbled apart during curing

 

[eshook]

dl1030 I was just going to PM you with this link. I'm glad you joined in and posted your rock. It looks awesome!

 

[Covey]

dl1030 nice rocks they lool real.

eshook, well cheaper for me. In that I was only look to build two rocks to hide my 2 SEIO 1100, sort of a Tunze rock rip off.

 

[eshook]

Covey,

but I thougt everyone would want 100+ lbs of rock ;o)
Good point, I didn't think people would only want a few here and there. I suggest a group meeting over this. We will need a large area with room for everyone.

Oh and its messy

 

[dl1030]

I forgot i had to pick up the pup this morning so I was able to get a new pic of the rocks. my camera is not the best, but they show you how much they have changed over the last couple months.

To make the rock porious i just use a dry mix, lumpy oatmeal consistancy, and let little clumps of the mix fall into the mold from off my fingers. little air pockets will be created throughout the entire rock using this method. To make larger holes i just packed sand where ever i didnt want rock. You can also use a drill after the rock is hard to create any holes you may need, or break and reassemable the rocks with some portland/water mix to make new shapes.

This project may be hard to do as a group. Out of Towners would have to come back a couple days later to see their creation. i dont think there would be a huge price break one way or the other unless someone was looking for a few pieces and wanted to split a bag with someone. But if anyone did want to get together just let me know, i have made a couple pounds and could help out.

 

[eshook]

dl

The texture on your rock is awesome. Mine doesn't look nearly as good as that texture, maybe I should take some lessons or something ;o)