DIY Live Rock Recipes?

[wmfsoll2]

So do you have any updated pics?

Have you had any new ideas that you have tried out yet?

Bill.

 

[speckled trout]

Here's one from the side up on top. My pc's aren't very strong and I have to place my rocks in sort of an unnatural way to get the corals close enough to the light source in my 30" deep tank. Hopefully, I be able to buy some MH's in the future, with my wife's permission, of course!

 

[blakeoe]

Nice

 

[draleigh]

How long do you let it sit in the mold before you take it out. I have tried making these and everytime my structure crumbles. Getting very frustrating. My first batch seemed to be the best - 3 tries later and i think i am getting worse at it.

 

[tankslave]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8534746#post8534746 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by speckled trout
Here's one from the side up on top. My pc's aren't very strong and I have to place my rocks in sort of an unnatural way to get the corals close enough to the light source in my 30" deep tank. Hopefully, I be able to buy some MH's in the future, with my wife's permission, of course!

"What honey? No, the lights arnt any different. Its just a new light bulb..."

 

[tankslave]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8848223#post8848223 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by draleigh
How long do you let it sit in the mold before you take it out. I have tried making these and everytime my structure crumbles. Getting very frustrating. My first batch seemed to be the best - 3 tries later and i think i am getting worse at it.

I cant remember if this came up before on this thread or not. I tried the aragocrete and it came out rather pitiful.

Then I tried plain ole stucco:

Much better results. Hardens white, and very hard. Later I added some "concrete fiber" (nylon hair strands, cut to about an inch) to the mix to reinforce it. They claim it reduces cracking by 70-80%. We'll see about that, but so far I like the results!

 

[ronn1234]

So,
I have a question for those of you that use this fake rock, how long have you had it and do you notice any more than regular alge blooms

Thanks ron

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

Almost two years, and nothing out of the ordinary.

 

[L98-Z]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7058825#post7058825 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by speckled trout
I posted the ones above on an earlier thread about DIY Rocks. I don't remember the actual name of the thread.

Here's a pic of some recently cured rock panels that I made for our school's 55g aquarium. I made them so that I could insert them behind the other rocks to create a more realistic backdrop.

Unfortunately, yesterday it was drizzling when I left work. I wasn't able to work on any more rocks. Hopefully, today it'll be dry and I'll have some more pics to post.

Here's another shot of some of the other recently cured pieces that'll be going to some of my friends.

[/IMG]

How do you mount the "rock wall" on the back of the glass. Seems like it'd be easy to fall over.

 

[TomRep]

How long does it take, while curing (finished rock sitting in in a tub of water), for the PH to RISE? I have a piece of rock in approx. 10 gallons of water for 3-4 weeks now. The Ph never raised more than 8.4. Is this cause I only have one rock in a large amount of water? Or is this normal? Or, did it not raise the Ph yet? Thanks!
Tom

 

[crázy clowntang]

I am planning on doing my own rocks and was gonna use water softer salt and portland cement. 3 parts salt and 1 part cement. Has anyone tried it before? Any advice will help. Thanks

 

[speckled trout]

Panels, like those, are basically "sandwiched" against the glass by strategically placing a couple of "base" rocks against them. I've never had any fall while they were set up in the aquarium. One tank has had them in it for several yearw now.

A lot of people seem to be trying the "salt recipe" lately. I didn't use any in mine and love them. They're easy to make and have all the porosity that they need. My rocks have been in tanks for quite a few years now. Also, I keep sps, lps, and softies without any problems.

crázy clowntang, one of the main complaints with incorporating salt into the recipe seems to be that it creates rocks that are more brittle than some people would like. Personally, I don't really think that it's necesary to add the salt. It does, however, make some interesting surface features on the rock.

Anyways, good luck with whatever recipe you follow and have fun with it. -Mike

 

[kevinbriers]

The idea of the rocksalt is so when you soak it and flush it for six weeks the salt dissolves and leave pockets nooks and crannies throughout the rock for creatures and bacteria to collonate increasing its surface area

 

[seanie]

i know some people used Snowcrete White Cement but that in the uk is £15.58

and Blue Circle General Purpose Cement 25kg Bag is only £5.68
does it matter wot one we used or no or is it just down to the color
what cement is it u using again ??

 

[Protoavis]

i know some people used Snowcrete White Cement but that in the uk is £15.58

and Blue Circle General Purpose Cement 25kg Bag is only £5.68
does it matter wot one we used or no or is it just down to the color
what cement is it u using again ??

The cure time may be longer but in the long run once it's cured and in a tank difference covered in coraline, no significant difference