DIY: How to Make Your Own Live Rock
For many aquarium enthusiasts, half the fun of owning an aquarium lies in the set up and decoration of the aquarium. Saltwater aquariums can be made into artistic masterpieces by utilizing different types of substrate, corals and live rock to create a beautiful and natural habitat for fish. Some aquarium enthusiasts customize their tanks by molding and cultivating their own live rock, creating it in unique shapes that add dimension and interest to their aquariums.
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Things You'll Need
- Large plastic tub
- Aragonite sand
- Portland concrete (grade no. 1 or no. 2)
- Crushed shells or gravel (optional)
- Large plastic bucket
- Small shovel
- Fresh water
- Reef builder supplement
- Reef calcium supplement
- Coralline algae
Instructions
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Fill the plastic tub half full with aragonite sand and dampen the sand with a small amount of water. The sand should be damp enough to hold its shape when you dig a hole. Dig a hole to create the mold for your live rock--the shape of the hole will be the shape of your finished live rock.
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Mix five parts aragonite sand with one part Portland cement in a large plastic bucket--this mixture is frequently called agrocrete. Using a small shovel, stir the mixture well and add a handful or two of gravel or crushed sea shells to diversify the texture of your live rock.
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3
Pour the agrocrete mixture into the mold, cover it with clean aragonite sand and allow the mold to set for 48 hours. Check the sand daily and add water if necessary to keep the sand damp.
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4
Remove your live rock from the mold and submerge it in a large bucket or basin of fresh water. Allow the rock to cure for six to eight weeks. Changing the water every few days will result in harder, stronger live rock.
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5
Place your cured live rock in an empty tank with good lighting and water flow and treat the water with reef builder and reef calcium supplements, following the instructions provided with these products. Introduce some coralline algae into the water and allow several weeks for the coralline algae to finish growing then introduce your finished live rock into your aquarium.
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Tips & Warnings
Experiment with different shapes of live rock and try making caves by building your live rock around an inflated rubber glove, leaving the fingertips uncovered to create entrances into the cave.
If you choose to grow coralline algae on your live rock, watch for unwanted growth. You can use reef janitors and other species of fish to help control the growth of unwanted algae and other pests.
Check the pH in your tank frequently after first introducing your finished live rock to be sure it does not negatively affect the water quality.
References
- Photo Credit coral image by DOLPHIN from Fotolia.com
