DIY rock vs dry base rock

[sk8ter20art]

I was just browsing around on youtube and found out some people are making "live rock" (i know it becomes live) from white portland cement, crushed oyster shells, and rock salt.

I have seen several people here building rock walls from foam, sand, and bits of dry rock, but none like this.

Does anybody have experience with the cement, oyster shells, and rock salt style of rock?

And does it still serve as a suitable filter system like dry rock/live rock once cycled?

I love to diy stuff and am an artist so this could be very fun :bounce1: for my first tank build if it is worth the effort.

 

[TimmyD16]

It'll all end up the same in the long run make sure you get a good porous end product... You have to be 100% that there is no salt left in the rocks, and because of this, DIY rock is a much more time intensive process... IMO you should seed your rock with actual live rock... What I would do is make a couple small rocks and seed them in other people's tanks, then when you're ready just put them somewhere in your display...

Some people just find foam easier to work with...

It all get's covered in growth eventually...

 

[jerpa]

There are many threads on DIY live rock on this site. People have been doing it for quite some time although with the availability of quality dry rock it seems to have become less popular. You can search for different techniques for making molds and such.

One drawback to making it yourself is the curing time. The cement takes weeks/months of soaking before it becomes PH neutral and therefore suitable to be placed in a tank.

 

[sk8ter20art]

Thanks jerpa, that's the main thing I was wondering about, none seemed to mention the length of cure time. Also wasn't so sure if there were any hidden ill effects if and when I get to corals. Maybe I will save that DIY for a future project.

 

[KafudaFish]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1286738&page=48&highlight=ultimate+diy+rock

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=993625&highlight=ultimate+diy+rock

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1980384

First article is the granddaddy of it and somewhere is Insane Reefer's write up of her observations. Seems like she said that you could dry cure the rock for a month, do a 2 week freshwater soak and then a 2 week saltwater soak. This is off the top of my head so I could be off on time.

Article two talks about different cements etc that has some great pictures.

Article three shows the use of BASF marine cement. The advantage of it is once dry it does not alter the pH. It comes in 50 pound bags and runs around $45.

Also just a suggestion but if you can use sand it gives a better texture and feel to the rock than oyster shell. I have done both and sand rock looks better plus you don't cut the heck out of your hands moving the rock around.

Rock salt really isn't necessary because you will have porous rock with just cement and sand or oyster shell. If you have too much you can make the rock brittle if you aren't careful.

Because you are an artist it maybe fun doing this and there is nothing wrong with a slower start. Another good aspect of DIY rock is you don't have to figure out how to make the rock work when it really doesn't fit well. Most make a mold in the sand and dump the wet cement in but another option is building a skeleton out of light diffuser panels (eggcrate from HD or Lowes) and attaching the wet cement to the skeleton. It is more work but still enjoyable if you are into this kind of thing.

 

[KafudaFish]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1286738&page=48&highlight=ultimate+diy+rock

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=993625&highlight=ultimate+diy+rock

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1980384

First article is the granddaddy of it and somewhere is Insane Reefer's write up of her observations. Seems like she said that you could dry cure the rock for a month, do a 2 week freshwater soak and then a 2 week saltwater soak. This is off the top of my head so I could be off on time.

Article two talks about different cements etc that has some great pictures.

Article three shows the use of BASF marine cement. The advantage of it is once dry it does not alter the pH. It comes in 50 pound bags and runs around $45.

Also just a suggestion but if you can use sand it gives a better texture and feel to the rock than oyster shell. I have done both and sand rock looks better plus you don't cut the heck out of your hands moving the rock around.

Rock salt really isn't necessary because you will have porous rock with just cement and sand or oyster shell. If you have too much you can make the rock brittle if you aren't careful.

Because you are an artist it maybe fun doing this and there is nothing wrong with a slower start. Another good aspect of DIY rock is you don't have to figure out how to make the rock work when it really doesn't fit well. Most make a mold in the sand and dump the wet cement in but another option is building a skeleton out of light diffuser panels (eggcrate from HD or Lowes) and attaching the wet cement to the skeleton. It is more work but still enjoyable if you are into this kind of thing.

 

[triggreef]

A faster way to get the ph down on the diy rock is to find some constantly flowing water. I.E. a stream/brook. It will do it in just a couple weeks.

Also +1 for not using rock salt. I used several things and the cheapest easiest best results I got was just using some argonite crushed coral and play sand from Home depot. Oyster shell is expensive and doesnt go far. Some will say about silica sand but thats not accurate the sand wont leech. Theres silica in that glass of your tank, that doesn't leech into your water either.

 

[triggreef]

also balloons or gloves work well to make holes/caves.

 

[Guss]

I did my own so pieces were custom and could interlock. It did take almost two months for it to become stable (PH) nut in the end it was worth it to me, at least for now.I have a post somewheres with a picture.

 

[TimmyD16]

If the rocks are small enough just put them in the back of your toilet bowl, that way you're always giving them fresh clean water...

 

[TimmyD16]

I would still use rock salt, any added surface area is a plus... just maybe not as much as some recipes...

I like the ballon idea for caves, I'm gonna use that one... This is why these forums rock! (please excuse the pun)

 

[Guss]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2212367
Here is the link to my DIY rock. I added about 20 lbs of live rock to it a few weeks into the cycle to help speed the process along.

 

[sk8ter20art]

thanks for all the input. i had not even began shopping for supplies, but thought pound for pound it would end up cheaper, and more artistic. I see that its more about surface area than anything else. A lot of the great tanks i see on here are covered in corals, so the rock becomes hidden anyway.

like the idea of aragonite sand vs shells

Small rocks in the back of the toilet, thats borderline genius/insane :lolspin:. I can see my wife "honey why are there rocks in the back of the toilet?"

In the videos i watched some rock salt (extra coarse) was mixed in, but mostly used to create voids and to support the weight of the cement. and could be washed/dissolved away. wet sand was also used as the mold material so it had a rough texture to it.

 

[uncleof6]

Original Recipe: White Portland cement (low alkali, for "plaster,) Aragonite, Acrylic shavings. Still the best, and cannot be beat. Worried about cure time? Look at what is being used. Much of the time, the wrong cement. Crushed oyster shell--high alkali, phosphates and other garbage, rock salt. What can I say...........