DIY Lace Rock

Enhance your fish tank with some homemade lace rock.

Lace rock is found in many aquariums due to its aesthetically pleasing shape, color and texture. Naturally forming lace rock is a type of "live rock," which means that it is formed from calcium carbonate, usually derived from the skeletal remains of marine life. Once the solid rock is formed, it becomes a habitat for other marine organisms. Homemade lace rock can be made using aragonite sand, a form of calcium carbonate. The completed rock can be used to grow marine organisms which will eventually add color to the rock.

Things You'll Need

• 2 bags of aragonite sand, one fine and one coarse
• 1 bag of Portland cement
• Styrofoam box
• Bucket or mixing container
• 1 large pot
• White vinegar
• Shovel
• Plastic buckets
• Spoons

Instructions

1. Fill three-quarters of the Styrofoam box with aragonite sand. Add water until the sand is damp.

2. Mix six parts aragonite sand with one part Portland cement in a separate container.

3. Dig holes of various shapes and sizes in the sand in the middle of the Styrofoam box. Be careful not to dig so deep as to uncover the bottom of the box or the sides. These holes will act as molds for the rocks. Pour the mixture of sand and cement into the holes. Let the mixture set for 24 hours in the sand molds.

4. Remove the rocks after 24 hours have passed. Submerge the rocks in freshwater and let them sit for five days.

5. Heat some white vinegar and soak the rocks in it for 12 hours. Rinse the rocks in freshwater once 12 hours have passed.

6. Place the rocks in your aquarium. Coralline algae will start to grow on the lace rock. The algae will add a bright pink or purple color to your aquarium.

Tips & Warnings

• Purchase a pH testing kit to ensure that your lace rocks are properly cured and reading at an acceptable level before placing them in your aquarium.

• If your homemade lace rocks are not completely cured before you place them in your aquarium, other inhabitants of the tank may suffer. If you notice your fish or other creatures are not swimming around or eating, remove the rocks and change the water in the aquarium. Continue to soak the rocks for another few days to continue the curing process.

References

• Athiel: Thiel Infobase: Making Live Rock for Fun and Profit - The Aragocrete and Superglue Reef Aquarium Method; LeRoy Headlee
• Wet Web Media: Live Rock; James W. Fatherree