DIY Live Rock

[Watergun]

Here is the first stage of some rock I made. This stuff was really fun to play around with and the shapes and sizes are endless. So I have recently upgraded to a 85g tank but I wont be setting her up until January but the research Ive done is insane. I came across a youtube video by American Reef Channel about setting up a Reef Aquarium and Mike Paletta took it step by step of his 75g build. Same guy who wrote the book "Ultimate Marine Aquariums". I was surprised when he got to the rock and said it was eco friendly man made rock...the near endless research of this eco friendly rock began...and here is my outcome. This stuff is priced higher than real LR at 6.99 a lb!!! To my surprise I had a couple small pieces of this purple dyed rock in my 20g...I cant believe I was fooled into thinking it was real all this time. Well if this stuff is man made...Im pretty sure I can do it too. If this stuff is still on the market...It must be safe. This mix I used is unique to any of the threads and videos Ive seen but hopefully it gets the job done. There are several different ways to cure this stuff too.
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Like I said this was my first step, Im making a few changes to the recipe. I will not be using this batch...Im striving for excellence.
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[koa25]

What recipe did you use? Looks good.

[Watergun]

No recipe yet i just mix until i get the consistency i want. A dryer mix seems to work best. Im using white portand cement, limestone, aragonite sand, and a very little amount of rock salt. Ill be making my mix a little dryer than this one from now on. 17158

[koa25]

NIce. It's coming out really well. Looks legit ha ha. Let it color up in a tank for a while and no one will ever know.

[rrasco]

Did you say that was more expensive than regular LR?

[koa25]

At as store they sell it for more. Cause they can also sell it by a flat rate per piece when you have special designed ones. It cost next to dirt to make yourself.

[rrasco]

Oh, ok. I was going to say, doesn't seem more expensive than LR. I know that oystercrete stuff they sell is not cheap. This sounds like a great way to build some huge structures to fill in my 150 FOWLR.

How porous does this come out? If not, I am trying to figure out if there is a way to increase the porosity of the rock.

[koa25]

The ratio of rock salt to the rest of the ingredients determins the porosity. More rock salt. More porous. it dissolves out and creats the small cavities and as well as the limestone great improves this as well.

[rrasco]

I'll have to look this up. Any recommended sources, or is there info everywhere?

[koa25]

Like he said. Lots of research and finding out what will work best for you. Some mixtures do better than others. So are more beneficial to reef aquariums with a mixed reef. Others for FOWLRS. Depends on the application.

[koa25]

He may have a better reference for you to cut your search time. Didn't mean to take the thread over. Just been researching this same topic for my next build.

[rrasco]

I believe we're still on topic :)

I am just thinking it may be easier to build big pillars and archways with this method than trying to use epoxy or acrylic rods with natural LR. May have to build arches in multiple passes, I'm not sure. I literally know nothing about this yet.

This kind of got me excited. I didn't want to add any fish to my FOWLR until I could figure out how to fix the rock situation.

[Mr Cob]

very cool, would you say it's heavy or light compared to normal live rock?

[Watergun]

I will gladly share with you my research...may be lengthy but with everybody's research mixed with my own Im sure we can knock this somewhat frowned upon process out.

So as you probably already know this isnt a new thing, the best article Ive found of this being done in the world comes from the Abrolhos Island in Australia http://www.sciencewa.net.au/topics/fisheries-a-water/item/1781-live-rock-farm-trialled-in-abrolhos-islands.html) The scientist are now adding concrete based rocks to the coral coast islands. The Batavia Coast Marine Institute (BCMI) has started a trial making concrete rock and placing them in the wild coral reefs for 3 months. Prior to placing these concrete rocks in the wild they allow just 2 weeks for the minerals to dissolve and pH neutralizes. This research is in the hopes of adding more Live Rock to the coral reefs in the world...not for aquarium use but same thing in my eyes :)

Next I needed to know what materials to use. White portland cement was a must...just like BCMI said a light colored substrate is needed. The next ingredient would be for aesthetics but would need to be calcareous and porous. Crushed oyster shells were out the question because it wasnt aesthetically pleasing imo. Crushed coral was an option but that would defeat the purpose of "cheap". Aragonite sand is an option but not aesthetically pleasing...i decided to use this as a sub ingredient instead. I eventually ran into granite and limestone gravel (3/4")...granite is an extremely chemically stable mineral that makes it very dense (will not leach anything into water and has a neutral pH) Limestone is naturally found at the bottom on the ocean sea...and thats how I got my winner...just not as simple as that though.

Ingredients:

White Portland Cement: Calcium 61-67%, Silicon 19-23% Aluminum 2.5-6%, Ferric Oxide (Iron) 0-6%, and Sulfate 1.5-4.5%

Limestone: Anywhere from 50-95% Calcium, 0-10% Magnesium, very few other trace elements.
* Heres the catch...Limestone is the key ingredient in Portland Cement and almost all limestone was formed from sea water
*Limestone is a calcareous sedimentary rock composed of the mineral calcite (CaCO3)...in the broadest interpretation the term includes any calcareous material such as coral only differing by its physical properties.

Aragonite Sand and Rock Salt...I wont cover these due to the fact that I use such a small amount of each. I use the Aragonite Sand to strength the concrete bond and the Rock Salt to make the rock a little more porous.

The only trick now is to figure out the best measurement of these ingredients. My second batch is still in the works but I am almost certain that the dryer the mix the more porous the rock will be. A good trick when placing the mix in its mold is to just let it "drop" into place (do not press down or try to flatten). Also do not touch the mix for at least 24 hours or longer if you can.

Im still looking into the curing process but with these ingredients it doesn't seem like it will be too difficult.

*I wonder how the magnesium role factor will play out in a reef tank.

Live Aquaria is selling man made rock for apprx 6.40 lb: http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=393+3122&pcatid=3122

[Watergun]

It's about the same but it all depends on your mix. I think this new batch Im cooking is going to be amazing!


very cool, would you say it's heavy or light compared to normal live rock?

[Watergun]

Ingredients:
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[Watergun]

First batch is in water
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[Watergun]

Second batch didnt go as good as I thought it would. Third times a charm...time to get started
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[koa25]

How did that turn out good? Looks good to me.

[Watergun]

This mix was a little too dry, this rock is very porous but it looks like a bunch of rocks were cemented together imo.

[koa25]

Too porous? Is there such a thing? Ha ha. Still looks great.

[Watergun]

Thanks! Good point though.

[CoryDude]

That first batch looks great. You mentioned a "mold", maybe I missed it, but how do you make your molds?

[Watergun]

Yup, the molding part is the fun part. Find yourself a large enough container and fill it with sand. Wet the sand just enough so you can work it. Shape the sand/mold the way you want your rock to turn out. Then add your mix to the mold. I really want this to look as real as possible for the simple fact that this will be used for a reef tank that will be set up for several years...if the Air Force lets me!

I think I found the recipe...so having said that I have tomorrow off and will most likely be making a youtube video. If man made rock is an option for you please dont spend almost $7 a pound for this stuff. I think I know how they dye the eco-friendly rock purple too...lucky me my uncle has been painting for 10+ years but one step at a time.


That first batch looks great. You mentioned a "mold", maybe I missed it, but how do you make your molds?

[Watergun]

Feels like im on the right track. Im comparing my rock to the stuff thats on the market.

Real Reef Eco-Friendly Rock-
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[Watergun]

And heres the stuff I made 2 days ago:

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[rrasco]

I think I'm going to give this a try pretty soon.

[reefreak]

Looks great, are you going to be adding any pinks or reds to this?

[koa25]

Looks great man. Very well done. I might have to try this when i get to Hawaii. Toss it in the ocean to cycle it and seed it. Have to look up the laws and regulations on that one.

[Watergun]

Thanks, Im scrapping this coloring job guys...i think I found a better and completely natural way to color these rocks. Still trial and error at this point but ill keep the updates coming. New batch on the way.

[Watergun]

Great idea! Im leaving for Patrick AFB, Fl next month so this an option for me as well.


Looks great man. Very well done. I might have to try this when i get to Hawaii. Toss it in the ocean to cycle it and seed it. Have to look up the laws and regulations on that one.

[Watergun]

The pH on my old batches is already down to 8.2. I have it soaking in a friends 125 for right now.

[rrasco]

How long has it been soaking?

[Watergun]

Almost three weeks. 1 week wet, 3 days dry, 1 week wet, and 2 days dry. I think the pH will drop some more.

[Watergun]

Trying to get some coraline growth on some rocks a little early. Im using Kalk +2 and I think its working.174611746217463