Making Live Rock

[andywg]

Easiest way is the way Lynden used, take 5 parts crushed oyster shell to 1 part portland cement. Add water until you have the consitency of cottage cheese. Allow to set for 24 hours or so in sand (you can mould it here). If you want stronger but less porous rock add sand to the mixture.

After the rock has set, cure in water and change the water once a week or so (best way to do this is in the cistern of your toilet, also saves water with each flush, and thus saves the environment). Once you can put the rock in water and it doesn't send the pH up (while curing it can cause the pH to hit double figures) you can put it in the tank. It looks horrid to start with, but soon colours up, and within a year or two you will do well to tell it apart from your "real" live rock.

I calculated the cost at around 50-75p per kilo - somewhat cheaper than real LR, and a great way to build up a base on which to put your more decorative rock.

 

[pengy666]

I would just buy it, sounds too much hassle.

I'd rather save money on other things, decent second hand equipment can save you as much in less hassle!

I saved over £130 on my skimmer and pumps

My 20kgs of LR cost £200?

SORTED

Isnt LR dirt cheap on your side of the pond? Compared to the UK that is?

 

[Musho3210]

I would just buy it, sounds too much hassle.

I'd rather save money on other things, decent second hand equipment can save you as much in less hassle!

I saved over £130 on my skimmer and pumps

My 20kgs of LR cost £200?

SORTED

Isnt LR dirt cheap on your side of the pond? Compared to the UK that is?

yes but dirt quality unless you get aquacultured.

 

[AK77]

I'd looked into doing this myself a while ago. It really does look like fun. Its cheap, you can produce some really interesting shapes and it can look really great in a tank once its covered with coralline.

I still might have a crack at it at some point.