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DIY Live rock
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paul.brandon83 View Drop Down
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Joined: February 16 2012
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Points: 406 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote paul.brandon83 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: DIY Live rock
    Posted: February 26 2012 at 9:36pm
I've seen many youtube videos with people making their own live rock using concrete and shell fragments or salt chunks that dissolve out. 

Is there anyone who has experience doing this?
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Adam Blundell View Drop Down
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Points: 18526 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Adam Blundell Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 27 2012 at 7:00am
Lots.... a few years ago. It was fun and a cool project and things like that. But today, you can get dry rock that is awesome looking for so cheap that I just can't imagine people making rock anymore. If you want to do it for fun that is one thing, but if you are thinking "I want some way cool rocks and designs" then I'd highly recommend just buying rock (like www.marcorocks.com)

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Lewy View Drop Down
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Points: 995 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Lewy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 27 2012 at 5:43pm
Isn't it true to if you get marcorocks they can go right in the tank after a rinse but with the DIY kind they have to cure for months?
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Adam Blundell View Drop Down
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Points: 18526 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Adam Blundell Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 27 2012 at 6:28pm
Good point! Curing is important.

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MIK3B View Drop Down
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Points: 386 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote MIK3B Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 27 2012 at 6:56pm
Very true - years ago I made my own rock with Caribsea sand (aragonite) shells, shreds off and white Portland cement. While it was cool to make your my caves and branches they were pretty heavy and took forever to cure. I had a blue kiddie pool and a huge pump circulating about 100lbs outside for almost 2 months!

After seeding it with lots of live rock and the proper chemistry it became live - after a few years you couldn't tell the difference.. I heard someone once say saw a tank full of cinder blocks once, covered with coralline, sponges and the like,
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Ahanix View Drop Down
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Originally posted by Lewy Lewy wrote:

Isn't it true to if you get marcorocks they can go right in the tank after a rinse but with the DIY kind they have to cure for months?



Keep in mind that MarcoRocks pre-cures all of their rocks to burn off the dead stuff that is found out in the wild (they mine old dried out reefs in florida). Personally I have had great luck with the stuff and would buy it anyday over live rock or other substitutes.
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