Update DIY live rock

[aznjayx]

So I'm just cleaning it, and drain it. My question now is, Has anyone done this and added it in their marine tank? I don't know when it's going to be safe for my tank (scared the cement will kill the fish)? These are very porous rocks. Just don't know when to add them in.

[Canadian_Aqua_Farm]

When I make cement frag plus it takes months to cure them in freshwater before they are ready to use. I put them in a mesh bag and suspend in a toilet tank. That way the water automatically gets changed several times a day.

If you put your rocks in a bucket of freshwater for 24 hours and then test the PH you'll know where you are at. At first they will put the PH off the chart. Once they stop doing that you are good to go.

[fkshiu]

You must cure the cement until the pH comes down, as mentioned. This can take a period of months depending on the cement mix used. The toilet tank method is a good one.

[aznjayx]

When I make cement frag plus it takes months to cure them in freshwater before they are ready to use. I put them in a mesh bag and suspend in a toilet tank. That way the water automatically gets changed several times a day.

If you put your rocks in a bucket of freshwater for 24 hours and then test the PH you'll know where you are at. At first they will put the PH off the chart. Once they stop doing that you are good to go.

Toilet tank is an awesome idea. Will be getting a mesh bag. ty for the idea.

[tang daddy]

are you sure those rocks are porous?

seems like alot of work for a couple lbs.....

I've seen people use cement but they look alot different from this, I've never seen people use this type in the reef tank, why not use lava rock which is 10x more porous and costs cents.....

this is the type most people use....
macro rocks - Google Search

[aznjayx]

are you sure those rocks are porous?

seems like alot of work for a couple lbs.....

I've seen people use cement but they look alot different from this, I've never seen people use this type in the reef tank, why not use lava rock which is 10x more porous and costs cents.....

this is the type most people use....
macro rocks - Google Search

I'm open to any idea, still have lots of cement..more experiment to do. Lava rock should be interesting. i dunno where to get em' lol.

[tang daddy]

lava rock can be found at a variety of garden centers..... But if you are trying to achieve real rock look dont add pebbles, btw how much rock do you plan on having?

[jay_leask]

my friend made his own live rock also 140 plywood update he was doing water swaps everyday for 3 months and his ph was still off the chart. so last week we took his rock to a stream and let them sit there till he gets back from his vacation in another week and see how that goes.

[aznjayx]

lava rock can be found at a variety of garden centers..... But if you are trying to achieve real rock look dont add pebbles, btw how much rock do you plan on having?

Just enough to make a 30 gallon tank look nice.

[aznjayx]

my friend made his own live rock also 140 plywood update he was doing water swaps everyday for 3 months and his ph was still off the chart. so last week we took his rock to a stream and let them sit there till he gets back from his vacation in another week and see how that goes.

that's a good idea. damn..there are no stream near me, and some idiot will probably play with it..if i leave mine in a stream.