Faux Rockwork..making your own rock

Csubseball · 03/09/2006, 12:02 AM

I have seen on some threads that people have made there own faux rock. I just purchased a 150g that is 30" deep. I currently have 140#'s of LR but with the depth of this tank I am going to need a little more coverage.
I do not plan on buying any more LR, but I wouldnt mind making some rock. I have about 3-4 weeks before my new tank will be ready to fill so I have some time to play around with some new things.
If anyone has any info or pics I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks in advance.

Mouse · 03/09/2006, 02:33 AM

There are a few threads here on them, however the curing time extends into several months if I recall.I ave also herd that if one of them 'breaks' the center will be 'uncured' and may cause havock in the tank.
Have you thought about base rock from hirocks or another vendor?

Csubseball · 03/09/2006, 07:53 AM

No I have not, Hirocks??? I will look into that. thanks!

kbinkerd@verizon.net · 03/09/2006, 08:04 AM

You can make your own base rock out of ceramic (clay) and have it ready to go in your tank in a week or so. The main difference with using clay is that it cannot be too thick, that means you will have to make hollow rocks, The clay should not be more than 3/4 to 1 inch thick at any one place to avoid it breaking up when fired. The thicker it is the longer it takes to dry out as well and it must be dry clear through before it is fired or again it will break apart during firing. Any way once you make your rock and let it dry for about a week, I put mine in the oven at 200 for a few hrs just to be sure it is dry, then take it to a ceramic shop and have them fire it for you. It is safe and nontoxic to put in your tank right away. It will be bright white though until algea etc. grows on it. I forgot to mention there must be an opening to the hollow cavity in the center for gasses to escape during firing or it will blow up.

yogisfriend · 03/09/2006, 08:26 AM

I have also seen those threads--one using Great Stuff foam! Anything like that certainly seems risky to me. I, for one, didn't spend thousands of dollars on my system (and future thousands on livestock) to take those chances.

I got some great base rock at my LFS for $1 a pound; use that instead of the phony things that have the potential to kill everything in your tank. I also made 'shelves' for my tank by using pvc and fairly thin, flat stones. I made the first step by using aquarium silicone to attach short legs to the rock so there would be good water movement, then the next step I put short legs in front (to put on the previous rock) and longer legs in the back to raise it up a step. I continued this to the back of the tank. I left the area under the rock sand-free but put a deep 'beach' in front of the first row for clams, etc. In my dreams, all the gaps will be covered by my new corals and the rock will be seeded by the 75 lbs of live rock I currently have. I also assume that I will be purchasing many items that are attached to rock already.

jarhed · 03/09/2006, 09:53 AM

If you compared Hirocks to Reeferrocks, Reeferrocks would spank Hirocks every time.

I've had both and I can guarantee you that you'll be receiving a LOT of solid chunks or small baseball sized junk from Hirocks.

http://www.reeferrocks.com

Highest quality base rock out there IMO.

Csubseball · 03/09/2006, 05:38 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I will just try and find some base rock around town.

03/09/2006, 12:02 AM	#1
Csubseball Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 356	Faux Rockwork..making your own rock I have seen on some threads that people have made there own faux rock. I just purchased a 150g that is 30" deep. I currently have 140#'s of LR but with the depth of this tank I am going to need a little more coverage. I do not plan on buying any more LR, but I wouldnt mind making some rock. I have about 3-4 weeks before my new tank will be ready to fill so I have some time to play around with some new things. If anyone has any info or pics I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance. __________________ "The live rock and sand have been "curing" for 2 weeks....at what point do I add the salt?" Current Tank Info: Went from a 150g to a 29g BioCube. So far, so good.

03/09/2006, 02:33 AM	#2
Mouse UnRegistered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Rio Linda CA Posts: 739	There are a few threads here on them, however the curing time extends into several months if I recall.I ave also herd that if one of them 'breaks' the center will be 'uncured' and may cause havock in the tank. Have you thought about base rock from hirocks or another vendor? __________________ Somedays it just isnt worth gnawing through the straps...... Current Tank Info: 125g > < this close to being set up

03/09/2006, 07:53 AM	#3
Csubseball Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 356	No I have not, Hirocks??? I will look into that. thanks! __________________ "The live rock and sand have been "curing" for 2 weeks....at what point do I add the salt?" Current Tank Info: Went from a 150g to a 29g BioCube. So far, so good.

03/09/2006, 08:04 AM	#4
kbinkerd@verizon.net Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: indiana Posts: 130	You can make your own base rock out of ceramic (clay) and have it ready to go in your tank in a week or so. The main difference with using clay is that it cannot be too thick, that means you will have to make hollow rocks, The clay should not be more than 3/4 to 1 inch thick at any one place to avoid it breaking up when fired. The thicker it is the longer it takes to dry out as well and it must be dry clear through before it is fired or again it will break apart during firing. Any way once you make your rock and let it dry for about a week, I put mine in the oven at 200 for a few hrs just to be sure it is dry, then take it to a ceramic shop and have them fire it for you. It is safe and nontoxic to put in your tank right away. It will be bright white though until algea etc. grows on it. I forgot to mention there must be an opening to the hollow cavity in the center for gasses to escape during firing or it will blow up. __________________ the bink Current Tank Info: several sizes/types

03/09/2006, 05:38 PM	#7
Csubseball Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 356	Thanks for the suggestions. I think I will just try and find some base rock around town. __________________ "The live rock and sand have been "curing" for 2 weeks....at what point do I add the salt?" Current Tank Info: Went from a 150g to a 29g BioCube. So far, so good.

03/09/2006, 08:26 AM	#5
yogisfriend Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Northern CA Posts: 141	I have also seen those threads--one using Great Stuff foam! Anything like that certainly seems risky to me. I, for one, didn't spend thousands of dollars on my system (and future thousands on livestock) to take those chances. I got some great base rock at my LFS for $1 a pound; use that instead of the phony things that have the potential to kill everything in your tank. I also made 'shelves' for my tank by using pvc and fairly thin, flat stones. I made the first step by using aquarium silicone to attach short legs to the rock so there would be good water movement, then the next step I put short legs in front (to put on the previous rock) and longer legs in the back to raise it up a step. I continued this to the back of the tank. I left the area under the rock sand-free but put a deep 'beach' in front of the first row for clams, etc. In my dreams, all the gaps will be covered by my new corals and the rock will be seeded by the 75 lbs of live rock I currently have. I also assume that I will be purchasing many items that are attached to rock already.

03/09/2006, 09:53 AM	#6
jarhed Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,638	If you compared Hirocks to Reeferrocks, Reeferrocks would spank Hirocks every time. I've had both and I can guarantee you that you'll be receiving a LOT of solid chunks or small baseball sized junk from Hirocks. http://www.reeferrocks.com Highest quality base rock out there IMO.