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25 Comments on “DIY Live Rock – by Ed”

1. mstinkagain
   May 11th, 2010 at 1:09 am

   Unfortunately, my second batch fell apart. I reckon I need to add even more cement. Or let it harden longer. I let it harden 24 hours but my sand was pretty moist.

2. mstinkagain
   May 11th, 2010 at 1:34 am

   Hi Eddie, I thought my live rock wasn’t holding together but I let it sit longer and it seems that the inside of the rock is fine but the outside crumbled away. So it is really working. I reckon I will add a small more cement though next time. Thanks for a wonderful informative video!

3. mstinkagain
   May 11th, 2010 at 2:32 am

   Thanks for the suggestion Ed. I did mix the salt in last but I will use less salt and more cement and get back to you with the results.

4. eddiekern
   May 11th, 2010 at 3:07 am

   I would add more cement, and maybe consider cutting bacok on the rock salt. When you mix it, be sure to mix the cement, water and substrate first, then at the very last moment, add and mix the rock salt (mixing just enough to distribute the salt through the mixture). That should do the trick. Let us know how it goes.

5. mstinkagain
   May 11th, 2010 at 3:08 am

   I made this with aragonite in large pieces, portland cement and rock salt in the same amounts you have listed. Unfortunately, it didn’t hold together. It falls apart. I reckon I need to add more cement. What is your opinion?

6. download1923
   May 11th, 2010 at 3:13 am

   I followed your instructions and my rocks came out pretty excellent. They have have been in there about 3 months and there is plenty of coraline algae thats starting to grow on them. Thanks for the vid!!!!! For you guys whom are about to make your own rocks make sure you cure them for a couple weeks, I did mine for 6 weeks.
   THANK AGAIN

7. frankkarma
   May 11th, 2010 at 4:01 am

   fantastic video. thanks for making it and posting.

8. phil47952
   May 11th, 2010 at 4:33 am

   eddiekern,
   Your video is by far the best one I’ve seen on making reef rock, thank you very much.
   I’ve been thinking of doing this for a long while and you’ve convinced me to try.

   Phil

9. BobaJett
   May 11th, 2010 at 4:49 am

   Im a bit confused. You say dont mix the rock salt, but yet you have to, to a point. Do you just add it, stir a few times and pour? Also, My last batch I used the rock salt and the next after overnite curing, the rocks fell apart in my hands. In your experience, is that too much salt/mixing, or not enough cement, or what?? Ive had plenty of non salt rocks turn out perfect, but I wanna reduce weight and have the porous rock as well.

10. alohakepeli
    May 11th, 2010 at 5:01 am

    thanks ed, followed your video and finished up with some fantastic pieces!

11. DimitrisIkarian
    May 11th, 2010 at 5:25 am

    thank u mate! but how can i order it ???

12. baracuda3133
    May 11th, 2010 at 6:09 am

    @DimitrisIkarian brother im Turkish you can buy rock salt from here its really cheap !

13. eddiekern
    May 11th, 2010 at 6:44 am

    If you can’t find rock salt then I would recommend not using the salt at all. If you can’t find a pure salt that is about 3-4mm in diameter or larger then I personally reckon that your better off not using the salt at all. Fine grain salt is not going to offer much benefit as far as porosity. If you read some of the comments for this video, some people have had some excellent thoughts for alternatives to the rock salt.

14. DimitrisIkarian
    May 11th, 2010 at 7:14 am

    i live in greece and i candt find rock salt…i find some salt that is not pure and it is grain size or smaller,Also has fragments or powder of salt in it likely smashed during transportation…what should i do???is there any shop that i can order rock salt?? i search the ebay but i didnt find anything….thanks you for your time…

15. eddiekern
    May 11th, 2010 at 7:49 am

    About 80% water change

16. dylandabomb230
    May 11th, 2010 at 8:35 am

    did you change only like 1/2 the water or all of the water when you change it

17. eddiekern
    May 11th, 2010 at 8:47 am

    I cured mine for a solid month changing the water once a day for the first week, and about every other day after that.

18. eddiekern
    May 11th, 2010 at 9:35 am

    It makes the rock more porous, and gives excellent bacteria places to grow.

19. Ciaglewruchu
    May 11th, 2010 at 10:12 am

    Hey,
    How long did it take for the rock to cure? How many days and how many water changes?
    Thanks!

20. dylandabomb230
    May 11th, 2010 at 10:26 am

    what does the rock salt do

21. nick360700
    May 11th, 2010 at 10:40 am

    Please upload more videos of your live rock in your aquarium!!!!

22. kvblakely
    May 11th, 2010 at 11:10 am

    Hey Ed. Fantastic thought using the rock salt. I want to attempt to make an entire wall (for the sides of a 92 gallon corner). See any reason why this wouldn’t work (other than weight). Each wall would be about 24″ x 32″. I also want to embed some PVC pipe in it, for current. Do you reckon it would hold together long enough to get it in the tank or will it need some reinforcement? If anyone has an thoughts I want to hear them.

23. BobaJett
    May 11th, 2010 at 11:18 am

    I had one batch do the same Lova. They just fell apart. That particular batch I crused up my salt pellets and I reckon that was the mistake. Try adding less salt & make sure its very coarse & not powdery. try adding a bit more cement as well.

24. eddiekern
    May 11th, 2010 at 12:04 pm

    I have no thought. I would be inclined to suggest food coloring, but even then reef critters could be sensitive to it. All-in-all I would be inclined no ti use dye.

25. Ciaglewruchu
    May 11th, 2010 at 12:17 pm

    Hey guys, I was wondering whether there is a cement dye on the market that I could used to make live rock… There are plenty of dyes but some of them are very toxic…
    Ed, are you familiar with any?
    Thanks for your help!

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