DIY rock
- Thread starter 5380
- Start date
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFPebEdEoMA
I followed the above Link but I left out the rock salt not really needed I used 5:1 crushed oyster shells to cement but I also hear 3:1 works well too
I followed the above Link but I left out the rock salt not really needed I used 5:1 crushed oyster shells to cement but I also hear 3:1 works well too
der_wille_zur_macht
Team RC
There have been a few good long threads in the DIY forum (sorry, don't have the links handy) but I think you're right, the basic formula has been more or less the same.
Willistein
Active member
I made a bunch a few months ago and it's curing in a Rubbermaid can. I used white cement, play sand and rock salt. The rock salt is very cool because it dissolves away leaving tons of voids. It also makes for much lighter rock, and I think quicker curing.
der_wille_zur_macht
Team RC
I used rock salt in batches I did "back in the day" but not for the recent batches I'll use in the 360g. To me, the angular voids it left didn't look right, but of course that's a personal thing - it's definitely a great technique.
I used crushed coral, play sand, and plain portland cement. Just about the only thing I did differently with this batch was letting them sit and "cure" dry in the sand molds for a few days before removing them. This has resulted in less accidental breakage. In the past, I would pull the pieces out of the sand mold 12 - 24 hours after molding them, at which point they were still soft enough that they'd break easily.
The only real advice I have for anyone doing this is to be patient! If you want live rock tomorrow, or even next month, just go buy it. This stuff doesn't seem totally stable until it's sat around (dry or wet) for a good 6 - 8 weeks.
I used crushed coral, play sand, and plain portland cement. Just about the only thing I did differently with this batch was letting them sit and "cure" dry in the sand molds for a few days before removing them. This has resulted in less accidental breakage. In the past, I would pull the pieces out of the sand mold 12 - 24 hours after molding them, at which point they were still soft enough that they'd break easily.
The only real advice I have for anyone doing this is to be patient! If you want live rock tomorrow, or even next month, just go buy it. This stuff doesn't seem totally stable until it's sat around (dry or wet) for a good 6 - 8 weeks.
I tried to make DIY rock last fall. I'm not sure if I'm happy with it or not. It is still sitting in a rubbermaid in my basement. How long do you guys usually cure yours for? I know it's been in there a long time, but I have been lazy and haven't done many water changes on it.
der_wille_zur_macht
Team RC
In the "old days" I would make it, stick it in a tub the next day, fill with water, and - changing the water every other day or so, let it sit for a month.
These recent batches I let air-cure for anywhere from a few weeks to a few months and they only needed to water-soak for a few days before things were stable.
Basically, you want to get to the point where you can put the rocks in plain tap water and not see a significant change in pH or alkalinity after a day or so.
These recent batches I let air-cure for anywhere from a few weeks to a few months and they only needed to water-soak for a few days before things were stable.
Basically, you want to get to the point where you can put the rocks in plain tap water and not see a significant change in pH or alkalinity after a day or so.
