Need help reshaping/cutting live rock

[dacaptain78]

Hello All,
I recently purchased 80 pounds of live rock for my 65 gallon tank. Some of the pieces are too large and I would like to break them into smaller sized rocks. Does anyone know of a techinque I can use to control where the rock breaks apart? I would hate to try and split a rock in half just to have it crumble into rubble sized pieces. All ideas are welcome. TIA!

 

[tecwzrd]

Hammer and chisel work best but it still may not break exactly were you want. Try to break them at narrower intersections for best results.

Place the rock on a firm surface (concrete or asphalt), and knock gently. Slowly apply more pressure, until you feel the rock start to break.

 

[melosu58]

I used the same thing that micah is talking about.

 

[dacaptain78]

Great. Thanks guys! I will give it a shot over the weekend.

 

[roka64]

You can use some of the smaller rubble in a filter or HOB, fuge....

 

[dacaptain78]

I will probably put some rubble in my 125 gallon for my wrasse to play with

 

[loyalrogue]

In addition to a hammer and chisel I'll also sometimes use a 1/4" x 16" long concrete drill bit.
If I need the rock to break exactly in a certain place I'll first drill some perforations to weaken it along that line then take the chisel to it.
This has worked out really well when I was making the wife some bowl-shaped natural rock planters for her bonsai plants.