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Do It Yourself DIY Live Rock

Discussion in 'Aquarium Equipment & Decor' started by inkmates, Jun 3, 2009.

  1. inkmates

    inkmates Thread Starter New Member

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    is any one on this forum making there own live rock? I would love to trade shop notes. lmk and happy reefing everyone

    heres a couple pics of mine


    ai330.photobucket.com_albums_l419_inkmates_fish_20pics_1aalr1.jpg


    ai330.photobucket.com_albums_l419_inkmates_fish_20pics_1aalr3.jpg
     
    inkmates, Jun 3, 2009
    #1
  2. stevenrox

    stevenrox New Member

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    nice how did u do that?
     
    stevenrox, Jun 3, 2009
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  3. inkmates

    inkmates Thread Starter New Member

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    its a modified GARF recipe with my own flare on technique.
    The basic ingredients:
    1) portland cement (I use type I/II)
    2) crushed coral (crushed oyster shell can also be used)
    3) argonite based sand

    after you get the mix right its just a matter of how you place it in the sand mold to get texture and then time, time, and more time. The end product is well worth the small amount of attention you have to pay it and I'm sure mother nature and the worlds coral reefs appriciate it. Tid bit of info, they actually are repairing some reefs with concrete. In my experiance this type of diy rock actually grows coraline algea faster than wild collected base rock. If your interested in more info on my rock lmk happy reefing
     
    inkmates, Jun 3, 2009
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  4. redsoxbill

    redsoxbill New Member

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    Do you have a recipe as to how many parts of each ingredient works for you. Thinking about making frag plugs, but not exacly sure how much to use of each component.

    Thanks,
    Bill
     
    redsoxbill, Jul 1, 2009
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  5. inkmates

    inkmates Thread Starter New Member

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    you won't need the crushed coral for the plugs so you'll be able to use more sand i'd say start with a 3/1 mix (sand/cement) and adjust to suit your tastes. as long as you don't throw in a bunch at one time you won't even need to ph cure them
     
    inkmates, Jul 1, 2009
    #5