DIY Live Rock

[nacl-man]

Hey gang,
I was wondering if anyone had a method to create your own live rock. I've heard it is possible as long as you have the time, and well I've got the time but I don't have the money!!
Anyone know how to do this? It would help me out a lot because I really want some more rock but I just can't afford to buy it.
Thanks!

 

[tree]

wow, someone in WAMAS is scheduling a rock building party. Depending on where you are located in Md this might be a possibility for you. Check out the DIY forum at wamas.org
Garf is probably one of the better sites. You can find a lot of useful information if you do a google search on aragocrete.

 

[boomper]

You could also buy base rock ($1-$1.50 lb) and it will become live overtime. This can take up to a year or more, but it will become live at some point and is extremely cheap.

 

[angelofish]

I tried it at first and wound up dumping it. It took too long to cure in my opinion. It just wasn't worth the time for me. I think baserock is the best way to go.You can use practically out of the box.

 

[nacl-man]

Money is still the big concern for me... I can't seem to find any decent base rock around here... the only stuff I've found needs to be shipped and therefore costs another 45-60 bucks (for shipping) on top of whatever the rock itself costs.
Thanks for the replies!

 

[offshore80]

Look around for some Lace rock. at your LFS or landscaping co. where they sell gravel and rock. It's cheap & in about 7 months you will have coraline growing all over it.
Here are a couple pieces I bought about 7 months ago. Check out the coroline. I paid $1.5 a pound. I don't think it's near as good as actual live rock. But, it's OK. it blends in great.

 

[offshore80]

another

 

[foxface402]

hey you can go to ---- and look for a seller name hirocks he has base rock in hawiai thats been out of the water for 20 yrs I bought it and put my fiji on top of it so it will be seeded in time. remember they are no cheap solutions in saltwater you will just kill things by being in a hurry and cheap. otherwise do it right the first time we all have learned this the hardway