DIY Live Rocks

bellanavis

Active Member
Ok guys, quick question. I am having an addition built for my new 380 gallon tank, and there is like 20 bags of this Mason mix Type S commercial grade quickrete, will that be ok to use?
 

zman1

Active Member
I am not sure, but I used quickrete "Portland type 1" I looked for type 2 and white, but only found type 1 gray. I know you want Portland type regardless who makes it.
 

maelv

Active Member
I am also planning on trying to make some of my own rock for my aquarium...hopefully mine will turn out as good as everyone else's here....I purchased from a site I found, an instruction guide on how to do this along with moon lights, and auto top off system for a couple of bucks....I am willing to share these guides (for free of course) with anyone who is interested...not sure if it is any good...but it looks okay to me...if you want it shoot me an e-mail...
ismael.velez@bcdtravel.com
 

bellanavis

Active Member
Thanks for answering my question Zman, I will just get some of the portland stuff just to be safe. Maelv, thats very nice of you to share your guids.
 

maelv

Active Member
Thanks Bella.....where can you find the portland mix....will they carry it at Lowe's or Home Depot?
I skimmed through there one day and don't remember seeing anything that said portland, but I didn't really look on the bags, just a brief scan....
 

zman1

Active Member
Yeah HD and Lowes carry it. I think HD is were I got mine. The two stores are right next to each other (literaly) here, I always go to both, just can't always remember what I bought from which one -lol
They are in 90 lbs "GRAY" bags for Type 1 (should be about $10), I believe it says Commercial Portland Cement then has a Type label. If you can get the white Type 2 I'd get that, but locally they only had type 1 gray here.
 

tree

Member
I had to use the grey type as well but they look ok & hopefully they will be covered with algae soon. I used the following recipe:
2 parts Portland Cement
4 parts Crushed Oyster Shells
2 parts Aragonite Sand
1 part Crushed Coral
Just wish I had made them a little smaller. Geez they were heavy.

 

bronco300

Active Member
when i got my portland cement i couldn't find the type II either, i believe the bag i got from lowes said type I/II.
 

bellanavis

Active Member
I just made my first batch of DIY rock, I hope it turns out as good as everyone elses. I made one cone shape, and one big flat peice, which I put a huge half circle PVC pipe in, for my toadfish to hide in. These peices are huge, I will post some pictures in a few days, when Itake it out of the sand to put it in water.
 

fishrule

Member
Does the DIY rock really work like Live Rock when all is said and done? Or does it just look like live rock?
Like, If I have a 100 Gallon tank and I put in 150lbs of DIY Rock, will it work as a filter for the tank just as normal Live Rock, or do I still have to worry about adding regular live rock?
 

bellanavis

Active Member
From what I get from the 6 pages before this one, it works like real live rock, but I could be wrong, and I hope someone else answers your question.
 

maelv

Active Member
Originally Posted by FishRule
Does the DIY rock really work like Live Rock when all is said and done? Or does it just look like live rock?
Like, If I have a 100 Gallon tank and I put in 150lbs of DIY Rock, will it work as a filter for the tank just as normal Live Rock, or do I still have to worry about adding regular live rock?
I have yet to make any for myself.....and actually debating on whether or not to make some. After weeks and weeks, maybe several months of curing, to get rid of all the stuff in the rocks, you will need to seed it with true LR. So to answer your question, yes, you will still need some LR and rubble to seed the DIY rock. Then that can take some time to actually do this.
I may make one big piece...but I somewhat have hesitation on doing this...mainly my father being the way he is...saying it really won't look as nice as the Fiji, Tonga, or Marshall island pieces you can buy. I was kinda looking to get some rock at a cheaper price, but hey...he said he would become part financer of the rock project, so if he's buying the rock.....no need to make my own....
From what I am gathering...after you finish your DIY rock, it will basically serve as Base Rock, you will have to seed with LR / LS...to make a long story short.
 

fishrule

Member
Originally Posted by maelv
I have yet to make any for myself.....and actually debating on whether or not to make some. After weeks and weeks, maybe several months of curing, to get rid of all the stuff in the rocks, you will need to seed it with true LR. So to answer your question, yes, you will still need some LR and rubble to seed the DIY rock. Then that can take some time to actually do this.
I may make one big piece...but I somewhat have hesitation on doing this...mainly my father being the way he is...saying it really won't look as nice as the Fiji, Tonga, or Marshall island pieces you can buy. I was kinda looking to get some rock at a cheaper price, but hey...he said he would become part financer of the rock project, so if he's buying the rock.....no need to make my own....
From what I am gathering...after you finish your DIY rock, it will basically serve as Base Rock, you will have to seed with LR / LS...to make a long story short.
I thought the final process, “Curing Process”of the DIY Rock was where you would seed them with live rock, which I would do for weeks before placing in a display tank.... My question is do I need to have regular live rock in my tank after the Curing/Seeding Process?
 
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