Make your own live rock??

[RedForeman ©®]

I've read it, I've even bookmarked the page... just wanted to see if anyone
has done it, and if there was any success with it?

Seems like a not so bad idea.... but could be 'too frugal' of an idea too...

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| RedForeman ©® fabricator and creator of the ratbike streetfighter!!!
| ==========================
| 2003 TRX450ES
| 1992 TRX-350 XX (For Sale)
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[Anthony Pruitt]

"RedForeman ©®" > wrote in message
...
> I've read it, I've even bookmarked the page... just wanted to see if
> anyone
> has done it, and if there was any success with it?
>
> Seems like a not so bad idea.... but could be 'too frugal' of an idea
> too...
>
> --
> | RedForeman ©® fabricator and creator of the ratbike streetfighter!!!
> | ==========================
> | 2003 TRX450ES
> | 1992 TRX-350 XX (For Sale)
> | '98 Tacoma Ext Cab 4X4 Lifted....
> | ==========================
> | ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤° `°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø
> | ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·.¸. ><((((º> ·´¯`·. , .·´¯`·.. ><((((º>
> | for any questions you may have....
> | Gmail - the ultimate in disappointment...
>
>

I've done it and it works great. You get rocks the exact size and shape you
want. You can even draw out the way you want the rockwork in your tank to
look, and then make the rocks to match your drawings. It's alot better than
grabbing buckets of rocks from your LFS or online, then spending hours
trying to make them fit and never being totally satisfied with the results.
After your rocks are all made, cured, and installed in the tank.......grab a
handful of rubble or grunge from a friend's or store's tank to seed things
and you are ready to go.

[RedForeman ©®]

|| I've done it and it works great. You get rocks the exact size and
|| shape you want. You can even draw out the way you want the rockwork
|| in your tank to look, and then make the rocks to match your
|| drawings. It's alot better than grabbing buckets of rocks from your
|| LFS or online, then spending hours trying to make them fit and never
|| being totally satisfied with the results. After your rocks are all
|| made, cured, and installed in the tank.......grab a handful of
|| rubble or grunge from a friend's or store's tank to seed things and
|| you are ready to go.

That's the part I like... customized live rock, shapes and sizes... the
shelves I have seen look REAL attractive...

and it's not $7.50/lb... I like that ALOT!!!

--
| RedForeman ©® fabricator and creator of the ratbike streetfighter!!!
| ==========================
| 2003 TRX450ES
| 1992 TRX-350 XX (For Sale)
| '98 Tacoma Ext Cab 4X4 Lifted....
| ==========================
| ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤° `°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø
| ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·.¸. ><((((º> ·´¯`·. , .·´¯`·.. ><((((º>
| for any questions you may have....
| Gmail - the ultimate in disappointment...
| http://www.geocities.com/trx350x_rider/aquaria.html

[Benjamin]

RedForeman ©®,

I like it as well, can't imagine using anything else. I wouldn't put any
fish in an all DIY live rock tank for at least a year though...not that you
can't it's just better if you don't and while your at it keep the critters
to a minimum as well. Feel free to add corals during that first year, just
be cautious with any that you will need to feed regularly. When you get over
the year mark ramp up a bit slower than regular live rock and things should
go better than many have seen with DIY live rock. More of what I think about
it can be found on my website if your interested.
--
--

My Web Site: http://showcase.netins.net/web/reefpage/



"RedForeman ©®" > wrote in message
...
> || I've done it and it works great. You get rocks the exact size and
> || shape you want. You can even draw out the way you want the rockwork
> || in your tank to look, and then make the rocks to match your
> || drawings. It's alot better than grabbing buckets of rocks from your
> || LFS or online, then spending hours trying to make them fit and never
> || being totally satisfied with the results. After your rocks are all
> || made, cured, and installed in the tank.......grab a handful of
> || rubble or grunge from a friend's or store's tank to seed things and
> || you are ready to go.
>
> That's the part I like... customized live rock, shapes and sizes... the
> shelves I have seen look REAL attractive...
>
> and it's not $7.50/lb... I like that ALOT!!!
>
> --
> | RedForeman ©® fabricator and creator of the ratbike streetfighter!!!
> | ==========================
> | 2003 TRX450ES
> | 1992 TRX-350 XX (For Sale)
> | '98 Tacoma Ext Cab 4X4 Lifted....
> | ==========================
> | ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤° `°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø
> | ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·.¸. ><((((º> ·´¯`·. , .·´¯`·.. ><((((º>
> | for any questions you may have....
> | Gmail - the ultimate in disappointment...
> | http://www.geocities.com/trx350x_rider/aquaria.html
>
>

[Anthony Pruitt]

"RedForeman ©®" > wrote in message
...
> I've read it, I've even bookmarked the page... just wanted to see if
> anyone
> has done it, and if there was any success with it?
>
> Seems like a not so bad idea.... but could be 'too frugal' of an idea
> too...
>
> --
> | RedForeman ©® fabricator and creator of the ratbike streetfighter!!!
> | ==========================
> | 2003 TRX450ES
> | 1992 TRX-350 XX (For Sale)
> | '98 Tacoma Ext Cab 4X4 Lifted....
> | ==========================
> | ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤° `°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø
> | ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·.¸. ><((((º> ·´¯`·. , .·´¯`·.. ><((((º>
> | for any questions you may have....
> | Gmail - the ultimate in disappointment...
>
>

If you are interested in how to make and cure the rock and how fast you
should stock it, look at Garf's website. They have a whole section complete
with cool pics and videos in the *how to* section, on the whole
process......... http://www.garf.org/

[Benjamin]

Garf also seems to have the tendency to leave out certain details and/or has
them buried so deep in their website that only a sleuth could find the
information. Not that my site doesn't need work, but Garf is a king of
clutter and incomplete information... in my opinion of course.

--
--

My Web Site: http://showcase.netins.net/web/reefpage/



"Anthony Pruitt" > wrote in message
.. .
>
> "RedForeman ©®" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I've read it, I've even bookmarked the page... just wanted to see if
> > anyone
> > has done it, and if there was any success with it?
> >
> > Seems like a not so bad idea.... but could be 'too frugal' of an idea
> > too...
> >
> > --
> > | RedForeman ©® fabricator and creator of the ratbike streetfighter!!!
> > | ==========================
> > | 2003 TRX450ES
> > | 1992 TRX-350 XX (For Sale)
> > | '98 Tacoma Ext Cab 4X4 Lifted....
> > | ==========================
> > | ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤° `°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø
> > | ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·.¸. ><((((º> ·´¯`·. , .·´¯`·.. ><((((º>
> > | for any questions you may have....
> > | Gmail - the ultimate in disappointment...
> >
> >
>
> If you are interested in how to make and cure the rock and how fast you
> should stock it, look at Garf's website. They have a whole section
complete
> with cool pics and videos in the *how to* section, on the whole
> process......... http://www.garf.org/
>
>

[Billy]

"Benjamin" > wrote in message
...
| , but Garf is a king of
| clutter and incomplete information... in my opinion of course.
|


One I agree with. I seldom go there, simply because finding the
information I want is generally a long ordeal.


---
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[Anthony Pruitt]

"Billy" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> "Benjamin" > wrote in message
> ...
> | , but Garf is a king of
> | clutter and incomplete information... in my opinion of course.
> |
>
>
> One I agree with. I seldom go there, simply because finding the
> information I want is generally a long ordeal.
>
>
> ---
> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> Version: 6.0.766 / Virus Database: 513 - Release Date: 9/17/2004
>
>

I don't have any problems with Garf, and I personally like the site. But
websites are like favorite foods or which car you drive. Everyone likes
something different, if not it would be a pretty boring world.

[Benjamin]

Diversity on the web is as good as in a reef... even so I think their
instructions are lacking. They are the ones that got me started reefing and
interested in making my own rocks but my results with their
methods/information left much to be desired I have to say. To each his own
though and I know many that have done way worse than Garf.

--
--

My Web Site: http://showcase.netins.net/web/reefpage/



"Anthony Pruitt" > wrote in message
.. .
>
> "Billy" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> >
> > "Benjamin" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > | , but Garf is a king of
> > | clutter and incomplete information... in my opinion of course.
> > |
> >
> >
> > One I agree with. I seldom go there, simply because finding the
> > information I want is generally a long ordeal.
> >
> >
> > ---
> > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> > Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> > Version: 6.0.766 / Virus Database: 513 - Release Date: 9/17/2004
> >
> >
>
> I don't have any problems with Garf, and I personally like the site. But
> websites are like favorite foods or which car you drive. Everyone likes
> something different, if not it would be a pretty boring world.
>
>

[Anthony Pruitt]

"Benjamin" > wrote in message
...
> Diversity on the web is as good as in a reef... even so I think their
> instructions are lacking. They are the ones that got me started reefing
> and
> interested in making my own rocks but my results with their
> methods/information left much to be desired I have to say. To each his
> own
> though and I know many that have done way worse than Garf.
>
> --
> --
>

Ok, I went to your site and checked it out. It seems to me that I have to
agree with you, your instructions for making and curing the rock are alot
clearer and easier to follow than Garf's. As for making the rock more porus
and lighter, what I've found that works are shells. Not the flat clam type
shells, but spiral type shells. I made one batch of rocks using nothing but
empty turbo snail shells I got for free from a wholesaler. The cool thing
about the shells is that even if some poke through where you can see them,
they still look good.

[Mort]

>
> That's the part I like... customized live rock, shapes and sizes... the
> shelves I have seen look REAL attractive...


Hi Red,
I am in the planning stages of making my own rock. Your comment about
"I have seen shelves" has me curious as I am looking for ideas. Can you
point me to a link where you saw that stuff?

Thanks!

~Mort

[Benjamin]

Thanks Anthony, I appreciate the compliment! I still have to rework my
site one of these days as it as issues. As for the shells making more
porosity... wouldn't that make more of a macro instead of a micro pore?
Hence be more of a trap for detritus on the exterior and near exterior, and
possibly hydrogen sulfide producing areas internally? The shell density
itself is more porous than aragonite? I have found the rocks I make don't
seem to need more macro pores, but I think one can never have enough micro
pores. I have tossed around the idea of sprinkling filtered crushed coral
on some rocks to see if I like it or not, just haven't go to it yet. Want
to trade samples?

--
--

My Web Site: http://showcase.netins.net/web/reefpage/



"Anthony Pruitt" > wrote in message
. ..
>
> "Benjamin" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Diversity on the web is as good as in a reef... even so I think their
> > instructions are lacking. They are the ones that got me started reefing
> > and
> > interested in making my own rocks but my results with their
> > methods/information left much to be desired I have to say. To each his
> > own
> > though and I know many that have done way worse than Garf.
> >
> > --
> > --
> >
>
> Ok, I went to your site and checked it out. It seems to me that I have to
> agree with you, your instructions for making and curing the rock are alot
> clearer and easier to follow than Garf's. As for making the rock more
porus
> and lighter, what I've found that works are shells. Not the flat clam type
> shells, but spiral type shells. I made one batch of rocks using nothing
but
> empty turbo snail shells I got for free from a wholesaler. The cool thing
> about the shells is that even if some poke through where you can see them,
> they still look good.
>
>

[Anthony Pruitt]

"Benjamin" > wrote in message
...
> Thanks Anthony, I appreciate the compliment! I still have to rework my
> site one of these days as it as issues. As for the shells making more
> porosity... wouldn't that make more of a macro instead of a micro pore?
> Hence be more of a trap for detritus on the exterior and near exterior,
> and
> possibly hydrogen sulfide producing areas internally? The shell density
> itself is more porous than aragonite? I have found the rocks I make don't
> seem to need more macro pores, but I think one can never have enough micro
> pores. I have tossed around the idea of sprinkling filtered crushed coral
> on some rocks to see if I like it or not, just haven't go to it yet. Want
> to trade samples ?


An average turbo snail shell is about one cubic inch, almost all of that is
empty space. Especially in medium to larger rocks, if you add 15 or 20 snail
shells, you have basically removed 15 to 20 cubic inches of cement from the
inside of the rock. This greatly reduces the weight. I add the shells when I
mix the cement and aragonite, so during the stirring, the small openings of
the shells usually get plugged with cement during mixing process. The pores
are on the inside of the rock, not the outside, so there aren't many spots
for detritus to accumulate. Actually pores aren't the correct term because a
pore usually has at least one open end. This is more like adding bubbles to
the interior of the rock to reduce weight. As for producing hydrogen
sulfide, so far no problems.

[Anthony Pruitt]

"Anthony Pruitt" > wrote in message
.. .
>
> "Benjamin" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Thanks Anthony, I appreciate the compliment! I still have to rework my
>> site one of these days as it as issues. As for the shells making more
>> porosity... wouldn't that make more of a macro instead of a micro pore?
>> Hence be more of a trap for detritus on the exterior and near exterior,
>> and
>> possibly hydrogen sulfide producing areas internally? The shell density
>> itself is more porous than aragonite? I have found the rocks I make
>> don't
>> seem to need more macro pores, but I think one can never have enough
>> micro
>> pores. I have tossed around the idea of sprinkling filtered crushed
>> coral
>> on some rocks to see if I like it or not, just haven't go to it yet.
>> Want
>> to trade samples ?
>


I do have one advantage when it comes to curing the rock. I live 200 yards
away from a 35,000 acre lake. I have a spot with a rocky bottom in shallow
water I use. I dump the new rocks in and come back and get them in a couple
of months. It's alot easier, no water changes, no pumps, no nothing. All I
have to do is rinse them and bleach them once to get rid of the freshwater
algae that tends to grow on them and they are ready to use.

[RedForeman ©®]

||| That's the part I like... customized live rock, shapes and sizes...
||| the shelves I have seen look REAL attractive...
||
||
|| Hi Red,
|| I am in the planning stages of making my own rock. Your comment
|| about "I have seen shelves" has me curious as I am looking for
|| ideas. Can you point me to a link where you saw that stuff?
||
|| Thanks!
||
|| ~Mort

This is what I've printed and am going to use as a primer...
http://www.garf.org/newreef/arag.html
http://www.garf.org/news6p1.html
http://www.garf.org/MPegs/AragocreteArch.html
http://www.reefs.org/library/talklog/t_miller_052498.html
http://www.mindspear.com/reef/concrete/

There is a ton more.... www.garf.org has 'em all...


--
| RedForeman ©® fabricator and creator of the ratbike streetfighter!!!
| ==========================
| 2003 TRX450ES
| 1992 TRX-350 XX (For Sale)
| '98 Tacoma Ext Cab 4X4 Lifted....
| ==========================
| ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤° `°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø
| ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·.¸. ><((((º> ·´¯`·. , .·´¯`·.. ><((((º>
| for any questions you may have....
| Gmail - the ultimate in disappointment...
| http://www.geocities.com/trx350x_rider/aquaria.html

[Philip Lewis]

I had read GARF's site right when it was starting out. I thought it
was chaotic then, and I still do... but i think the folks there are
great and in general trying to make the community a better place.
(I even did a redesign of the site and sent it to them, but they
wern't interested)

When i made my rock, I used crushed coral, coraline sand, portland
(grey) cement, lime, and crushed oyster shells i got from the garden
center.

The shells are nice because they add some purples and shimmer to the
finished rock. They do make for some sharp surfaces when hand
mixing... so be careful.

As far as adding salt for porosity, it shouldn't be a big problem as
long as you don't let crystals reform. If you *really* wanted to be
safe, you could possibly use calcium cloride, which is added in cold
weather pours to help the concrete set faster.

I've also heard of using macaroni to help make voids...
it apparently will rot out during the curing cycle.
(I'm sceptical about this... perhaps with a longer curing time)

I made my rock over 5 years ago, then moved.
Much sat in water filled buckets in my garage for many years.
I've just recently uncovered them, and moved them into fresh rain
buckets to cure. They are starting to get a bit of green algae on
them, so i'm guessing they should be close to done. ;)

--
be safe.
flip
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