questions about DIY LR

**DewDropPony** · 11-28-2006, 12:41 PM

I'm actually thinking about making DIY LR. The problem is I don't have excess to anyone else here that already has an established reef so I'm going to have to seed the DIY LR by buying real LR. How much real LR should I buy to seed the DIY LR? I have a 55gal tank. I plan on making maybe 45 to 55 pound worth of DIY LR. Also, how long with the real LR need to take to spread into the fake LR? The fish should only be added after all the DIY LR is fully "live", right? And how will I know when it's ready?

Also, how long does it take to cure DIY LR? I've everything from 2 days to 6 months.

**mistermikev** · 11-28-2006, 02:33 PM

You may want to visit garf. threedblus dot garf dot com
I am guessing closer to 6 months. that's the part that lost my interest
who the heck has 6 months?
as far as fish... if you are adding them you are probably going to want water set up and cycling for a month or two in advance anyway. then I would guess you are going to want at least half weight in new stuff as your setup will rely on it as a filter somewhat. garf says you can add their grunge and it will setup fast but I find that hard to believe. afa spreading, I often add "dead rock" to my reef and it gets covered in correline in about a month. just my opinion.

**DewDropPony** · 11-28-2006, 03:33 PM

do you have the direct link to garf?

**mistermikev** · 11-28-2006, 04:10 PM

not sure how this site feels about posting lings but it is three w's dot garf dot org
they have some tutorials on how to build and cure what they call "agrocrete"
they have some interesting advice on reefkeeping too. enjoy

**leebca** · 11-29-2006, 07:28 AM

Artificial 'live rock' doesn't exist. There is however man-made rock that is cultured in the ocean which (if allowed to stay there long enough) comes pretty close to live. But artificial rock cannot be converted to live rock in an aquarium. You need to understand that the artificial rock will only be a surface area for Coraline algae, algae, and bacteria. It will never harbor the internal organisms and function like true live rock.

Please read this:
What is Live Rock, Anyway?

Have you searched Reefland.com for other threads on hommade rock? Just keep in mind that the aquarist cannot make live rock in the aquarium. There are some people who have made artificial rock or thought of making it.

Good luck!

**Reefland** · 11-29-2006, 09:31 AM

There are a few threads in the DIY forum on this:
diy reef rocks(dont place in oven) TOTW 6-29-06
Aragocrete TOTW 1-17-05

**ttrigger** · 11-29-2006, 01:34 PM

58 gallon tank,20hfuge/sump,diy stand,130watt orbit light

**Reefland** · 11-29-2006, 01:52 PM

Hi ttrigger,

Nice looking wall. When did you build it? What did you build it out of? Are you going to seed it with a few lbs of collected rock?

**ttrigger** · 11-29-2006, 06:00 PM

Thank you for the compliment. I made the background out of eggcrate and Great stuff Foam covered with argonite. Yes I plan on seeding it. Just recently sold my 90. I have an 18 with established rock. Planning on DSB 5" in display. Refuge will have 4". My sons both have nano's so one cup of sand from three tanks will get me goin.

**Reefland** · 11-29-2006, 06:34 PM

Sounds like an awesome plan. That wall will look great with some corals on it. ;)

***zhenya*** · 12-01-2006, 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by Reefland

Sounds like an awesome plan. That wall will look great with some corals on it. ;)

I agree! Better yet, it would be nice if you wrote about how you made this wall. Step by step tutorial of sorts and I'll stick the thread for you so lots of people can see it and maybe try your idea as well.

**tike** · 12-01-2006, 09:15 PM

I made agrocrete rocks before and it took almost a year before it was fully cured!

It can be done but you need to cure the rock in fresh water that is changed DAILY until the pH holds at 7.0. Again, it takes loooooonnngg time to cure.

**mhender** · 12-06-2006, 08:43 AM

Originally Posted by DewDropPony

do you have the direct link to garf?

Geothermal Aquaculture Research Foundation Home Page This is the link to GARF. It's an interesting site.

/mh

**ttrigger** · 01-23-2007, 06:51 PM

Sorry Its been awhile. Just moved into a new house beginning of December.For all those interested in the foam backgrounds. Don't waste the time. If you've ever jumped into the water with a life jacket on,magnify it times two. IMO there is no substitute for live rock. I've started over and this is my one month photo.Ive been in the hobby for three years and still learning new things everyday.Im still going for the wall look, slowly but surely although Im going to stick with the live rock for now.