live rock and regular rock - Page 2 - Aquarium Advice

divedeep1689 · 10-19-2009, 04:34 PM

why dont you just make some diy rock its fun and works well and your tank is already running like it is so you have plenty of time...

abrahamavelar · 10-19-2009, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by divedeep1689

why dont you just make some diy rock its fun and works well and your tank is already running like it is so you have plenty of time...

i dont know how and if i decide to doit do i have to cure it or can i just add it to my dt just like that

divedeep1689 · 10-19-2009, 05:19 PM

once you make it which takes at least 24 hours to dry you have to let it soak in freshwater for a month or more to be safe cement has a high ph level and you have to let it leach out by letting it soak in freshwater and changing that water every so often to make the diy rocks you get some portland cement type one or 2 and crushed oystershells get from a feed store they use it for chickens i did i think it was like 1 cup cement to 10 cups oyster shell you mix that up make it a little thick so you can mold it better make you a mold out of sand in a box or rubbermaid and pour it into the mold let it dry and then take the process of soaking it in water for a month or so. you can use a lot of techniques to make the rock more poreus by using pasta in the mix which disloves over time in water or using ballons in the mold thier are alot of techniques you can use some people put plastic shaving in the mix to make coraline grow faster on the rock once its in the tank it is a very cheap way to make rock and very effective i have some in my tank that i cant even tell i made it anymore plus you can make any desin you want with diy rock so it makes aquascaping alot easier......

abrahamavelar · 10-19-2009, 05:33 PM

ill have to try that and if i let it sit on the fresh water do i use tap water or ro/di water

divedeep1689 · 10-19-2009, 05:36 PM

tap will be fine alot of people actually place them in a river or if able saltwater area like a bay but tap is perfect its wat i used

abrahamavelar · 10-19-2009, 05:46 PM

oh ok does it need water movement, and after the month i have to cure it b4 i put it on the dt?

thincat · 10-19-2009, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abrahamavelar

oh ok does it need water movement, and after the month i have to cure it b4 i put it on the dt?

Abe, it depends on the PH as to how long you soak the DIY rock. If you put it in your tank to early the PH will "KILL" your fish & corals. Let me say that again..... "You have to test the water for PH".
If you make a small amount you can put in the tank of your toilet. Every time you flush it clean water in the tank again.

mfdrookie516 · 10-20-2009, 03:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thincat

If you make a small amount you can put in the tank of your toilet. Every time you flush it clean water in the tank again.

that is an awesome idea... im gonna try it and tell everybody that i put rock from my toilet in my tank

abrahamavelar · 10-20-2009, 02:35 AM

wow thats expensive i get lr here for 5 dollars and the cheapest i seen it is 3.50, oh ok yeah i been asking about dead rock and i think the guy said 89 cents per lb but it could of been 1.89 and also im thinking about making it,what would you guys think about adding a pirate ship i seen one of them in the sw aquarium at the lfs but idk if its a good idea

thincat · 10-20-2009, 02:44 AM

personally it's up to you. Not my pick.