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Aquarist Forums => Saltwater General Discussions => Topic started by: gvv on September 25, 2006, 08:44:08 AM

Title: DIY Rock
Post by: gvv on September 25, 2006, 08:44:08 AM
Any one here tried to do rock by themselves?
Title: Re: DIY Rock
Post by: FishPassion on September 25, 2006, 09:51:22 AM
No not yet but I did buy 40 lbs of it from a person on aquaria its the stuff in my hex tank if u remember, he had it in his tank for two yrs.
Its ok for the price but apparently takes time to cure I will probably attempt it next spring outside of my house.

BTW vitali Im giving my hex a second chance to try and resolve flow issues as it is loaded with diy rock and I really think I can turn it into a great show tank with more thought and patience.
Title: Re: DIY Rock
Post by: kennyman on September 25, 2006, 10:01:21 AM
I did alot of reading about it last year and gave it a try. I got my hands on several chunks of styrofom cubes that I thought would work great but I got the wrong cement. It had some pebbles in it didnt workout right. I'll try agin sometime, maybe this winter.
Title: Re: DIY Rock
Post by: gvv on September 25, 2006, 10:03:52 AM
Glad to hear you didn't give up! I loved the look of this hex tank. To tell you the truth I'm planning to have the something like your rock wall in my next tank (unfortunately this is not hex tank :( , but fortunately it is drilled cube one :) )

I have time for curing rocks for my next tank - I'm not in a hurry right now. But I want to know what meterials could be used, especially what type of cement to use and how to form the rocks.
Title: Re: DIY Rock
Post by: gvv on September 25, 2006, 10:06:42 AM
Quote from: kennyman on September 25, 2006, 10:01:21 AM
I did alot of reading about it last year and gave it a try. I got my hands on several chunks of styrofom cubes that I thought would work great but I got the wrong cement. It had some pebbles in it didnt workout right. I'll try agin sometime, maybe this winter.
Yes, the cement!
What type could be used. I've been in HD this weekend and they have only 2 types of portland cement: "N" and "GU". On the last one it is written that not do tocuh it with bare hand, so I'm not sure it will be nice for rocks :(
Title: Re: DIY Rock
Post by: ray on September 25, 2006, 10:43:43 AM
Hi Vitali
I haven't made it but rec'd some from someone.On the plus I would say cost and that you can form your own shapes.The downside is that is very heavy and time consuming to make.The person I rec'd from made tables w/ pvc for legs,that way he could elevate the lr and leave lots of holes for the fish to swim.
Title: Re: DIY Rock
Post by: gvv on September 25, 2006, 11:27:17 AM
Ray, thanks for good tip! I was actually looking at the ways to elevate rocks over tha sandbed (even in my current tank).
Title: Re: DIY Rock
Post by: kennyman on September 25, 2006, 12:59:43 PM
Here is one article I found very usefull. I was trying a different way that this though by sculpting foam and then covering it with the cement to create a lighter weight product. But if you havent read this article you probly might want to.

http://www.reefs.org/library/talklog/t_miller_052498.html
Title: Re: DIY Rock
Post by: az on September 25, 2006, 01:39:31 PM
vt, pm powder blue tang he will tell you exactly how, what you need and where to get it from, if i remember correct, you need regular cement/sand and oyster shells, to cure it just put it in a big container when its dried, add water, change water every month....in 3-4 months rock should be cured!

hope this helps!
Title: Re: DIY Rock
Post by: Seanc on September 25, 2006, 03:55:03 PM
i believe Redbelly had some in his tank. it looked real, i couldn't tell there was any until he told me and pointed it out.
Title: Re: DIY Rock
Post by: PowderBlueTang on September 26, 2006, 01:03:05 AM
Here is a tank full of DIY liverock!

[attachment deleted by admin]
Title: Re: DIY Rock
Post by: yellowtang on September 26, 2006, 01:35:20 PM
Hello....L.........Y.. LOL.
nice to see you are still around...
I 'm still interested on seing your DYI rock
and set up...........but now with your brief posted pictures
I see what you have done......are you still just running
NO lights?
cheers
Title: Re: DIY Rock
Post by: PowderBlueTang on September 26, 2006, 11:01:23 PM
Hi M.....L
I have been too busy with work it is endless and don't have too much time for the forums!
Your welcome to drop by anytime, call first I am working alot lately till midnight some days.
Still running NO lights and the reefs happy!

Cheers