Re : DIY rocks using concrete

[Archer82]

Hi bros,

I would like to enquire if anyone here has made their own rocks using concrete.

I did a batch of about 25 kg in dec and should be adding them in to my tank at the end of feb.

I heard that it's better to let them cure for a longer period to allow leaching of all unwanted substances.

My rocks were done using ordinary portland cement and one thing good was that I could actually design my own caves and arches.

Tried making 1 branch too.

Will attempt to post pics if possible. Currently the rocks have been placed in natural sea water after being in freshwater for a month.

Cheers

Archer

PS : Do give me your views regarding this as well as any other ideas

[Lester]

h,,, interested.. doo update me on the result k ..?? thanks

[Lester]

hi any updates ????

[Archer82]

Nope will only be collecting the rocks at the end of the month

[hotlemond]

how did you create the mold to form the shape. I think its a good idea to do your own rocks.

[Archer82]

Ok here's the procedure.

1) I went to the market and collected a couple of styrofoam boxes that don't leak.

2) I went to the beach at sembawang and collected sand in 2 red plastic bags ( as much as I could stuff into my blue deuter bag) and cycled back home. About 20-25kg I reckon.

3) I bought those $5/ pack coral sand for mixing with the cement

4) I bought a 50kg pack of portland cement near my place.

5) Thoroughly wash the beach sand as many times as necessary and place it in one of the styrofoam boxes. The sand has to be slightly damp.

This will act as the mold. Basically you scoop out whatever shape you want and then pour the cement mix.

Mix the cement to your preference, it must be flowing but not too watery ( The more watery it is the more the delay)

After a few hours, about 5 to be safe, you can remove the shape you have done and place it in another styrofoam box filled with water to harden the cement further.

Simple rite

Its just a tad bit tedious though...I worked 3 shifts for 3 days leaving one batch to cure over night.

Have heard that silicon fumes can increase the strength but never tried that.

I've left the rocks to cure for 1 month in freshwater and another month in saltwater under sunlight...algae growth on the rocks is an indication of the rocks being safe for life to live on.

Any qns about the procedure just pm me...I'll be glad to offer assistance if I can

Cheers

FYI :

Cost Incurred : $4.50 for 50kg cement

$10.00 for 10 kg coral sand

I managed to make 25 kg of rocks some pieces as much as 3 kg now ( The 25 kg was before curing )

[Lester]

hi bro...

got take any pics of it so far ???.. spund veri interesting ..

[tineng]

Did you try putting the rocks in SW and test its PH????

[Archer82]

hehe no pics as yet bro..

my DC has problems downloading pics..keeps on saying no memory card detected.

Will update if I can get the pics k

[Archer82]

bro tineng...nope I've not tested the PH as yet as it is still undergoing curing at my dad's workplace due to the space constraint at home...

btw I didn't use the full bag of cement in case the bros reading are thinking I finished the entire bag...

only used about half and had to throw away the rest ( cos mom was returning from her overseas trip hehe )

[Lester]

Hi

ever consider DIY for others for some $$$ to fund ur tank if it works???

just asking

cheers

[surfedelic]

I believe you have to cure the rocks properly ...otherwise it will leech PH ...causing your tank PH to shoot up..... alot of work ....some leave it to cure for 6 months ... ...

I believe your patience will payoff.

[Archer82]

bro lester...yes I have thought of it...i mean if people are interested why not ?

But that will depend on how many bros are interested as I can't possibly stuff so much rock into my own 3 footer.

I mean looking at the rocks sold at the shops...the prices are cutthroat...I did enquire before deciding to make my own.

I was planning on doing another batch during my semester break if this set turns out alright and safe for use.

Am planning on trying ways to make the rocks more porous etc so that life can proliferate on the DIY rocks more easily.

Anyway even if I do decide to sell it'll be cheap as I'm doing the rocks for creative purposes and trying out new ways not really as a way to make $$$.

I like doing creative work and with matters like this it has abundant usage hehe just a bit tedious

Cheers

PS : Yes bro surfedilic curing the rocks is integral as I read of many instances where the system collapsed due to adding uncured rocks...the danger of the high alkalinity can be seen when we place it in water to cure..its recommended not to touch the water as it supposedly is the equivalent of putting your hand into a solution of saturated kalkwasser.

[hotlemond]

hehe no pics as yet bro..

my DC has problems downloading pics..keeps on saying no memory card detected.

Will update if I can get the pics k

go to my computer, right click and choose manage.Then go to disk management and re-assign an available drive letter to it.

DC have to be plug in first.

Great info on the DIY rock. I am sure your hard work will pay off. Do show us the pic when it is ready.

Cheers

[Archer82]

sure bro will do and will try downloading pics again from my DC today

Thanks for the tip

[blueheaven]

I had actually made some rocks out of sand.

It happened when I had calcium precipitation that fused the sand into chunks of rock which noe is covered with coralline. Will try to take a pic when I'm free

[shaohui75]

Read this somewhere, Just to share. Anyone who has experiment this successfully and want to sell, please PM me:

Ingredients:

• Portland Type I/II Cement – Home Depot

• Aragonite Sand - Aquarium supply store

• Crushed Oyster Shell or Crushed Coral - feed store/aquarium supply store

• Play sand - Home Depot

• Rubber Gloves (plastic gloves will rip) - Wal-Mart

• Rubber-made container – Wal-Mart

• Plastic Bucket – Wal-Mart

Start by setting up your work center. Fill large Rubbermaid tub(s) with white play sand and mist sand with water until thoroughly moist, though not wet (sand should be able to easily hold form when a deep impression is made, similar to sand on the beach that is close to the water's edge).

Make impression of rock you will be creating and lightly line with crushed oyster shell or crushed coral. (This will give your rock a nice outer finish and more natural look)

Mix 3-parts aragonite sand, 2-parts crushed coral/oyster shell and 1-½ parts Portland cement mix. Slowly add water while stirring until you achieve a consistency similar to cottage cheese (mix thoroughly as water will tend to settle at the bottom of the bucket).

Either spoon or pour mixture into sand mold and carefully form shape with fingers (gloved fingers!). Sprinkle crushed oyster shell/coral over exposed area and cover mould with sand.

Allow rock to harden for a period of 24-hours or longer (longer for brittle formations), then carefully remove sand from top, and the sides of rock. Carefully remove rock and allow an additional 24-hours to continue hardening.

Keep in mind that very basic shapes can be very appealing. Experiment but don’t get overly creative and forget to form some basic shapes. These will be the building blocks of your system and without them, you system could look quite unnatural.

CURING PROCESS:

Cement leaches silicates and calcium in large amounts when it is curing. This raises the pH of water to dangerous levels often as high as 11 or 12 ppm! Therefore, we must allow the newly created rock adequate time to leach most of these elements. This is called “curing time”. This curing time is normally about 5 or 6 weeks in fresh tap water (much longer in saltwater and DI/RO water). It is best to test the holding water’s pH to ensure it has completed its cycling process. When you have achieved a reading of 8.4 or less and have not changed the water for a few days, it is ready to be moved to the next process. After this period, the rock should be placed in a container of saltwater for an additional cycling period of 1 week. The actual process should be as follows:

1. Place hardened rock in large container of fresh tap water. Use a powerhead or air stone to aerate water.

2. Change water every 2 or 3 days

3. After a period of 5 weeks, stop aeration for a day, then test pH. If it has reached 8.4 or less you can move on to the next step. If not, continue to cycle for an additional week and test again.

4. After rock pH has tested at 8.3 or lower, place it in an aerated container of saltwater for an additional week.

5. Once again, turn off aeration and test pH. If it remains below 8.4, it is ready to be placed into the aquarium or into a grow out tank with seasoned rock.

Cement cures indefinitely though this small level of precipitation is insignificant once rock is properly cured. A note of caution: If you are adding this rock to an existing system, do it slowly, adding one piece at a time once a week or so to ensure it doesn’t have a negative effect on your existing organisms.

[Lester]

hi bro .. anyupdates on the DIY rocks ?

[RockyBoy]

Good place for DIY live rock samples.

More good info in this website.

DIY live rocks

[ciaolong]

Best way i know to cure diy rocks is just put in the back of the toliet so it sit in the water to cure and the water changes everytime u go do your business haha also be4 doing this i might leave in white vinger for like few days then put in back of the toliet

my 2cent

[supremo]

i've seen in some website that they put some bio degradable stuff in the mix, such that while curing the biodeg stuff will dissolve and leave holes in the rock making it more porrous just like the LR we buy. Otherwise the rocks might be too dense.

[zarkon]

Yo Bro,

Any update on the ROCKS? I heard those black/grey cement will release PO4. Is that true?

[apollo]

Hi guys

Interesting topic.

Natural LR are much porous and wl house more bateria growth which we are tryin to achieve.

As it is, they are already vry heavy. I wud think ur cement made LR will be even heavier! Would u want to take the risk to put extra load to yur tank??

Next, aft putting so much time and effort to make them.. u hv to wait for so long to use them.. I rather go for plug and play system!

Just my 2 cents

[zarkon]

Heard of custorm made goods.

Imagine a customed made LR that looks like the lost city.

[qazwer]

After much reading ... there are pros and cons for DIY LR...

Pros:

- Produce desired shape you want in your Reef Tank(s)

- More green conscious (cut down on LR fishing)

- Can be rest assured that there wouldn't be uninvited creatures

- May give you the sense of achievement when you suceeded building one (As if you are the creator of nature or "new nature")

Cons:

- Needs longer curing periods

- Might be heavier

- May not look natural (not until something grows on it)

- May not even have porous for bacteria

- Doubting on releasing unwanted elements into your tank without knowing

- Might be more expensive than buy those off-the-rack natural LR (consider the time and money spent on the "ingredients")

You guys may need to add or correct ...