How to make your own rock?

[Louie3]

Anyone ever done this? tried? if so can you please tell me what i need and how to do it.

Thanks..

[GaryP]

I just suggested that on your other thread. Try googling "aragocrete."

[longhorn_20m]

I did. If you look at the right in my gallery, that is the piece I made. I used one part sand, 4-5 parts oyster shells, part white cement (you have to get a specific brand, not sure what it was). Add a little water to where it is very dry, but able to shape.

The downside is you have to cure it due to the high PH it releases. I ended up throwing mine into hometown lake and pulled it out after two months. Washed it off and let it sit in sun for another week.

I saw a cool article to improve the consistency of the rock and be more porous. They added rock salt, and as it cured it dissolved creating tiny pockets within the rock. I think they used less oyster shells, but i like the oyster shell look.

[GaryP]

I have heard of curing it by putting it in the water tank in your toilet. Every time you flush it changes the water.

[SuperXdude]

I've made a few pieces in the past and it is not as easy as it seems, well at least to make pieces that look good.

It's good for base rock or if you will cover it with an encrusting coral like zoos. Mine do grow corraline very well though. I used 5 parts southdown, 1 part concrete, and a handful of crushed seashells.

[Louie3]

it seems easy but hard at the same time i like the sound of putting it in the toilet to cure, would that work for regular dead rock?

[longhorn_20m]

If you have regular dead rock, I don't think it needs curing. The DIY rock needs curing because of the setup of the concrete. The PH is off the scale while curing.

[Louie3]

ill try making my own and tell you guys how it comes out

[hammondegge]

here is some weekend reading for you Louie http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=807988&highlight=diy+ro ck

[GaryP]

Just don't cure it how GARF did. The put it in a mountain trout stream behind their facility. Apparently, since the source of the stream was snow melt water and it had very little buffering, it caused a big impact on the pH. The state environmental agency in Idaho nailed them on it. Know the folks at GARF I'm sure that it was totally unintentional.

I sort of doubt you will have that problem in the valley. :)

[Jimnorris]

If you are interested I have a video I tooked at GARF that shows them making their rock.
Jim

[Louie3]

yea im very much interested. in that video

[Darth-Tater]

Patrick ou812pezz has made his own rock and it looks awesome. He is supposed to do a demo at an upcoming meeting. You might pm him and ask question. Also the is a book you can buy about making your own on ebay. $4.95 I think from www.theLebos.com.


DT

[loans_n_fishes]

I have heard of curing it by putting it in the water tank in your toilet. Every time you flush it changes the water.

Wow! That's innovative! I may have to try that. :D And no extra pumps needed either!

[ReefRocksRus]

This place has a lot of info also......http://reefrocksrus.com