sales weasel
New member
garf.org will sell you some Garf Grunge for $5/lb. It is supposed to be teaming with good stuff. You can also buy your cleanup crew from them.
sambo said:
DIY Live Rock Recipes?
- Thread starter The Shrimp X
- Start date
I'd bet Aragalive would be Aragadead after mixing it with Portland cement and adding water. I doubt much of anything beneficial would make it through that.
Also, was my understanding that diatom issues allegedly due to silica from silicon sand use was largely a myth. I'm sure I have seen this discussed on RC and other places several times and recall that was the outcome.
Also, was my understanding that diatom issues allegedly due to silica from silicon sand use was largely a myth. I'm sure I have seen this discussed on RC and other places several times and recall that was the outcome.
I stumbled on a thread related to silica. Not so much myth I take it. Not so much unusable inside home made rock either I gather.
I wonder how many bags one might go through in order to find some that has acceptable dissolution... what would be considered acceptable levels?
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=622363
I wonder how many bags one might go through in order to find some that has acceptable dissolution... what would be considered acceptable levels?
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=622363
bshumake
New member
Well cowpokes, I have basically given up on the Muratic acid bath. Every subsequent H2O soak after a Muratic Acid bath has remained well above the testing range of my pH kits. The rocks I made have been through 7 baths so-far and I honestly can't tell that the Muatic bath did anything. I have noticed that no crust forms after 3 days soaking in H2O though. Since my tanks pH is constantly 8.0 I have begun to incorporate my rocks into my tank. As a test I put one in thats a decent size and heft but nothing that I can't take out quickly. My pH rose to 8.1 or so so I'll put another in tonight and continue with the H2O soaks for the rest. So Muratic acid as a quicker way to cure rocks? Plausable, Busted, or Confirmed? I'll say Plausable but not worth the effort.
As a side note the rock I made with Florida crushed coral that is super pourus has now crumbled from the baths. I went to pick it up and it just came apart.
As a side note the rock I made with Florida crushed coral that is super pourus has now crumbled from the baths. I went to pick it up and it just came apart.
sales weasel
New member
None of my rocks using Aragonite have broken. They've been curing for a month and will probably go another month until I get the new tank installed. I think I'll take some sand and some coralline from my existing tank and seed these rocks. I'll use 1-2 shop lights from HD and a couple of Philips Daylights from HD. According to Garf, more light is good in the beginning and then cutting back on the lighting will aide the coralline growth.
lousybreed
New member
does anyone have pics of diy rocks in the tank after a year? do corals and coraline algae grow on them???????
MDogg44
New member
I made a couple of shelves yesterday,
1 Part portland
4 parts natures ocean coral gravel
1 part carib sea sugar sized sand
1 part water
I'll try to get some pictures,and let you know how they turned out.I'm debating on whether to use a muratic acid bath for a couple of minutes.When I make the rocks above the shelves I'll probably use some pasta noodles.
pclausen - I would guess about 6 to 8 weeks for bacteria cycle.I guess you could speed the process with bio-spire or something similar.
1 Part portland
4 parts natures ocean coral gravel
1 part carib sea sugar sized sand
1 part water
I'll try to get some pictures,and let you know how they turned out.I'm debating on whether to use a muratic acid bath for a couple of minutes.When I make the rocks above the shelves I'll probably use some pasta noodles.
pclausen - I would guess about 6 to 8 weeks for bacteria cycle.I guess you could speed the process with bio-spire or something similar.
sales weasel
New member
lousybreed,
Yes, coralline will grow on them. However, you have to seed them. The way to do this is get some live rock w/coralline already growing on it and using a toothbrush just brush over the coralline so that it falls into the water. Garf.org has a nice section on growing coralline.
Yes, coralline will grow on them. However, you have to seed them. The way to do this is get some live rock w/coralline already growing on it and using a toothbrush just brush over the coralline so that it falls into the water. Garf.org has a nice section on growing coralline.
lousybreed said:
A few pictures:
Close up shots of pre tank rock.
http://showcase.netins.net/web/reefpage/pictures/upclose.html
A couple of in tank close up shots.
http://showcase.netins.net/web/reefpage/pictures/underock.html
http://showcase.netins.net/web/reefpage/pictures/underock2.html
Shots of inside 5+ year old rock in the cooking tub.
http://showcase.netins.net/web/reefpage/pictures/inside.html
Sorry I do not have any full tank shots worthy of posting yet.
Close up shots of pre tank rock.
http://showcase.netins.net/web/reefpage/pictures/upclose.html
A couple of in tank close up shots.
http://showcase.netins.net/web/reefpage/pictures/underock.html
http://showcase.netins.net/web/reefpage/pictures/underock2.html
Shots of inside 5+ year old rock in the cooking tub.
http://showcase.netins.net/web/reefpage/pictures/inside.html
Sorry I do not have any full tank shots worthy of posting yet.
I used various recipes for each rock in my tank. If you use fine sand, the rock is more sturdy, looks a lot cooler, but is not as porous. I reccomend concentrating on asthetics and sturdyness using fine sugar-like sand for the rocks in the tank. Then make a whole bunch of very porous rocks and put them in your sump.
<br />
<br />
And here is a link to a short clip of my tank...<br />
<a href="http://classicalguitar.homeip.net/images/Aquarium2.MOV" target="_blank">http://classicalguitar.homeip.net/images/Aquarium2.MOV</a></font></p>
<br />
<br />
And here is a link to a short clip of my tank...<br />
<a href="http://classicalguitar.homeip.net/images/Aquarium2.MOV" target="_blank">http://classicalguitar.homeip.net/images/Aquarium2.MOV</a></font></p>
Nice pic's guys, thanks for sharing. How long have you had the rocks in the tanks at this point?
I'm still working on getting my main tank back online after nearly 2 years in buckets, tubs, and a stock tank. Building my house was a bit more time consuming than I imagined. The new seed tank seems to be coming along nicely though. Then there is my website that developed cobwebs... working on that again now as well.
Itsmee,
Love that double cave shape ya got there on the lower right. Awesome and Way cool... mind if I replicate it?
I'm still working on getting my main tank back online after nearly 2 years in buckets, tubs, and a stock tank. Building my house was a bit more time consuming than I imagined. The new seed tank seems to be coming along nicely though. Then there is my website that developed cobwebs... working on that again now as well.
Itsmee,
Love that double cave shape ya got there on the lower right. Awesome and Way cool... mind if I replicate it?
Bene' said:How long have you had the rocks in the tanks at this point?
Love that double cave shape ya got there on the lower right. Awesome and Way cool... mind if I replicate it?
Rocks have been in the tank since June. You can try to copy it.
Use styrofoam blocks...then after it dries tear the styrofoam out.getyourownbox
In Memoriam
here is the recipe i use:
Materials:
ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¢ 4 Bags Play Sand ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ It has to be ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œPlay Sandââ"šÂ¬Ã‚Â
ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¢ 1 Bag of #3 Portland Cement
ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¢ 1 Bag of Shells/Dead Coral
ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¢ 3 Normal Sized Rubbermaid Totes
ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¢ 2 Small Sized Rubbermaid Totes
ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¢ 1 Garden Shovel
ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¢ 1 Large Cooking Spoon
ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¢ 1 Small Heater ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ Up to 30 Gallons
ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¢ Screen
ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¢ Fresh Saltwater
ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¢ 1 Strong Power Head
ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¢ 1 Small Filter ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ Up to 30 Gallons
ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¢ 1 Reef Light and Fixture
ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¢ Fresh Water
Instructions:
1. Fill the 1st normal sized tote Ã"šÃ‚¾ full with aragonite sand.
2. Mix 4 cups Play Sand with 7 cups Portland cement, 8 cups clean freshwater, and 12 cups of the shells/dead coral, in the 1st small tote, using the spoon, until semi-thick. Try to keep mixture as dry as possible.
3. Wet the sand so it is damp not soaked.
4. Dig out a mold that you want (Cave, Cup, Arch, etc.) in the aragonite. Be careful not to expose the bottom of the tote or the rock will have an unnatural flat spot.
5. Fill the mold with the new mix of. Use the garden shovel to do this.
6. Cover the rock with sand. Make a very natural looking rock by using different sand on the top of the rock.
7. Tap on the side of the tote about 20 times. This will settle the sand into the mix.
8. Let the mix set for 24-36 hours before you take rocks out. Keep at room temperature so they dry in 24 hours.
9. Rinse the rock in fresh water to clear any loose sand off of the rock.
10. Fill a smaller tote half full with white vinegar. Soak the rocks in the vinegar for 12-24 hours so they can cure.
11. Soak in freshwater for 2-3 days. Do small water changes every day.
12. Remove the rocks.
13. Fill the 2nd normal sized tote with fresh saltwater.
14. Place in saltwater for 1-2 days. Run tests for high PH, Nitrite, Nitrate, Ammonia, etc...
15. If tests are normal your rock is now ready for use.
CREATING DIY LIVE ROCK (A piece with some sort of life)
1. Fill the 3rd normal sized tote with fresh Saltwater.
2. Put the small heater, the power head and small filter in place on the tote.
3. Place the rocks in.
4. Treat the water with extra SeaChem Reef Builder and Reef Calcium to start the coralline algae.
5. Cover the top of the tote with the screen. Secure the screen tightly so it will not bend inward. Place light on top of screen.
6. Turn light on/off like any regular aquarium light.
7. Use a Copper Band Butterfly or Peppermint Shrimp and Reef Janitors in the live rock system to control Aptasia and unwanted algae.
8. After the rock starts to grow coralline algae you can glue small frags to the rock with super glue gel.
9. You may know put the rock in your main tank or you may allow the live rock to finish growing. Around 2 months total.
Materials:
ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¢ 4 Bags Play Sand ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ It has to be ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œPlay Sandââ"šÂ¬Ã‚Â
ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¢ 1 Bag of #3 Portland Cement
ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¢ 1 Bag of Shells/Dead Coral
ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¢ 3 Normal Sized Rubbermaid Totes
ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¢ 2 Small Sized Rubbermaid Totes
ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¢ 1 Garden Shovel
ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¢ 1 Large Cooking Spoon
ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¢ 1 Small Heater ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ Up to 30 Gallons
ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¢ Screen
ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¢ Fresh Saltwater
ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¢ 1 Strong Power Head
ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¢ 1 Small Filter ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ Up to 30 Gallons
ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¢ 1 Reef Light and Fixture
ââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¢ Fresh Water
Instructions:
1. Fill the 1st normal sized tote Ã"šÃ‚¾ full with aragonite sand.
2. Mix 4 cups Play Sand with 7 cups Portland cement, 8 cups clean freshwater, and 12 cups of the shells/dead coral, in the 1st small tote, using the spoon, until semi-thick. Try to keep mixture as dry as possible.
3. Wet the sand so it is damp not soaked.
4. Dig out a mold that you want (Cave, Cup, Arch, etc.) in the aragonite. Be careful not to expose the bottom of the tote or the rock will have an unnatural flat spot.
5. Fill the mold with the new mix of. Use the garden shovel to do this.
6. Cover the rock with sand. Make a very natural looking rock by using different sand on the top of the rock.
7. Tap on the side of the tote about 20 times. This will settle the sand into the mix.
8. Let the mix set for 24-36 hours before you take rocks out. Keep at room temperature so they dry in 24 hours.
9. Rinse the rock in fresh water to clear any loose sand off of the rock.
10. Fill a smaller tote half full with white vinegar. Soak the rocks in the vinegar for 12-24 hours so they can cure.
11. Soak in freshwater for 2-3 days. Do small water changes every day.
12. Remove the rocks.
13. Fill the 2nd normal sized tote with fresh saltwater.
14. Place in saltwater for 1-2 days. Run tests for high PH, Nitrite, Nitrate, Ammonia, etc...
15. If tests are normal your rock is now ready for use.
CREATING DIY LIVE ROCK (A piece with some sort of life)
1. Fill the 3rd normal sized tote with fresh Saltwater.
2. Put the small heater, the power head and small filter in place on the tote.
3. Place the rocks in.
4. Treat the water with extra SeaChem Reef Builder and Reef Calcium to start the coralline algae.
5. Cover the top of the tote with the screen. Secure the screen tightly so it will not bend inward. Place light on top of screen.
6. Turn light on/off like any regular aquarium light.
7. Use a Copper Band Butterfly or Peppermint Shrimp and Reef Janitors in the live rock system to control Aptasia and unwanted algae.
8. After the rock starts to grow coralline algae you can glue small frags to the rock with super glue gel.
9. You may know put the rock in your main tank or you may allow the live rock to finish growing. Around 2 months total.
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