DIY Rock - Curing?

[von]

I have read some recipes on here for DIY rock. They all say they take a while to cure. What is meant by curing and why does it take so long?

 

[xdave]

You have to soak them in saltwater for a long time untill they stop adding things to the water. Basically you have to neutralized them.

 

[von]

Does the same go if you use it in freshwater? I thought about making some for my reef and a few very small ones for my daughter's freshwater tank.

 

[my way]

If you are using concrete for the rocks, yes you need to cure them for FW also. Fresh concrete rocks have a very high Ph. You need to cure them to get the Ph down. If you are using the recipe I posted, you also need for the salt to dissovle.

 

[sleasia]

I have just made a bunch of diy live rock...was it "MyWay's " recipe? I don't remember ...it was 3 parts oyster shells to 1 part portland cement and 1 part water...this works very well. But the mix will be crumbly the 1st 24 hours and should not be touched. to toughen the mix I sprayed it with water from a simple spray bottle every so often...I read that when done you soak them in vinegar water first for a day or so, then rinse them, then put them in a bucket or trash can of saltwater with a power head to circulate the water . every week or so you should change some of the saltwater. After a week or so of this I plan to add some beneficial bacteria to the bucket and continue to "season" or "cure" the rock for a couple of months before adding it to the tank...I think this is all you do? am I right?

 

[von]

Thanks for the info!