MMLR...anyone try it?

[CRAP! Another Hobby]

In an effort to save some cash, i started reading up on the Man Made Live Rock (MMLR)...has anyone made this stuff? If so...got any pictures of the end results?

I know it can take a few months to cure/kure properly but can be a massive $$$$ saver...plus can make the arches and towers you want that suit your tank size.

[Zylumn]

Long Read but worth it.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1286738
Kevin

[hillbillyreefer]

www.garf.org.

Search for diy rocks on almost any reef site and you'll find something about it.
Fun to play in the cement with the kids, but only when Mom isn't home.

[CRAP! Another Hobby]

Long Read but worth it.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1286738
Kevin

hehehe..if you go to page 5 of that thread, I am "WHAT IT IS" that suggested the pig's blood...

As for the entire thread...read many many pages of it...

If someone has used MMLR, please post your experiences with it.:biggrin: As well as some pics (if ya got some) to see how well it morphs into the appearance of real LR.

[argan]

I've made two batches of DIY rock, cured for about 4 weeks in fresh, and 1st batch is in my tank. works real good and cheap, but raises ALK quite a bit at first. Starting to grow corraline and worms now. For my next batch I'l be using the method with Water softener salt in the mix for more porousness. (found on RC, ULTIMATE DIY rock thread) That is the one draw back i found, not as many little holes. I got around that on a few pieces by drilling tho.


here is some, cave worked good

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc71/arganpics/IMGP1578.jpg

[Glennrf38]

I made a batch last year and plan on making some more starting next month when its warmer outside.It takes a while but the end results can be great especially if you are trying to get specific shapes and sizes.

[CRAP! Another Hobby]

ARGAN...Looks like you used the oyster shell recipe. Do you remember what ratio of cement to oyster shell?? I tried a batch last night at a ration of 2:3 (cement to shells) but it looks too fragile. So today i thought i would try to crush the shell pieces more into sand (burned out my food processor in the process :sad: ) Monday I am going by a place that has type 50 Portland cement. So tomorrow will be when I start another batch of small pieces.

GLENNRF38...keep me posted when you think you might be making more. Maybe we can get together and make a sh#t-load of it at once!:biggrin:

I think I have some nylon screen laying around. Maybe I'll dice that up and add it to my mix for extra strength.

[Glennrf38]

Sounds good to me. I have got the fine salt pellets/crystals. I got them at the local feed store. The most common mix is 1 part cememnt to 3 parts other stuff. It stays pretty fragile for about 1-2 weeks until the concrete starts to cure. The stuff I made last year broke apart for a week or so then it was and has been fine.

[iansfishy]

so can i cure this in the lake that my house sits on?

[Glennrf38]

i put mine in a garbage can with a powerhead in it. Changed water every week or so.

[CRAP! Another Hobby]

GLENNRF38...Awesome!:biggrin: Maybe by then my first couple of batches will be ready. I'll bring the cement!!:lol::lol:

[Glennrf38]

Kewl cuz I forgot to bring mine in the house last time I did it LOL

[Starry]

I made a few batches up about a month ago and should be almost cured. The smaller pieces I put in the toilet tanks in the house (several 100% wc's daily), the larger ones in a plastic tub I used the 1 cement 3 salt 1 sand mix and am very happy with the result. My only regrets are I couldnt get the white cement, and I think smaller salt pellets would have been better. Will post some pics tomorrow. They aren't anything fancy, just base rock.

[Glennrf38]

For salt try the local farm feed store. They have bags with a nice size crystal for adding to feed troughs I think.

[CRAP! Another Hobby]

I'm not so "sold" on the adding salt idea...From what I have read, it can greatly weaken the integrity of the cement...but that can be overcome by adding other items into the mixture. Other thing about salt, is that it needs to be "boiled" out of the MMLR (well...not quite boiled...but up over 130 F).

Since I am planning on making 1 fairly large structure...I would have no way to boil something that big:cry:

[argan]

I don't go by ratio, just mixed it so it looked good to me then formed it in some damp oyster shells for a nice top layer. I also used Lava rock inside the pieces for lighter weight.

[Glennrf38]

The salt really adds to the porousity. Curing time was about 6 weeks and the rock seems fine to me.

[hillbillyreefer]

Where did you read about needing to boil the salt out of the rock? I've never heard that before, maybe that is why mine is taking so long to cure.

[Glennrf38]

I would say you might need to boil it if you are using water softener pellets but I had no problem with mine.

[Starry]

K, here's the pix I promised.
http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/500/IMG_0328_resize.JPG
http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/500/IMG_0331_resize.JPG
http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/500/medium/IMG_0320_resize.JPG
http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/500/medium/IMG_0335_resize.JPG

As you can see they are very pourous. Water flows right through the rock.
http://www.canreef.com/photopost/data/500/medium/IMG_0334_resize.JPG

[Glennrf38]

It looks like there is still alot of salt in them. Or am I mistaken?

They look very good though.

[Starry]

nope salt is all gone, what you see is argonite sand and bumps where the salt used to be. I find if you do your first 1-2 waterchanges with warm water the salt disolves very rapidly.

[Glennrf38]

Thats true I did mine outside last summer during the heat wave.

[CRAP! Another Hobby]

STARRY....your last pic looks like it belongs in a "Blair witch" reef!:lol::lol::lol:

They do look good!

hillbilly....in the link posted earlier, there is a major long thread regarding MMLR. One of the repeated comments is about useing WARM water to be sure that ALL the salt is disolved from the rock.

[hillbillyreefer]

Yes that makes sense. When I did mine I always refilled the bucket out of the hot tap. Within a day or so it looked like the salt had dissolved completely. Even cold water should get rid of it, it will just take a little longer. I haven't read that entire thread on RC it seems to go on forever. Good luck with the rock!!!

[Reefer Rob]

Here's (http://www.excalibur.bc.ca/aquarium/Tank%20Journal/index.html) some shots of my reef with DIY rock. I don't think I'd do it again. Way too much time and effort.

[Starry]

I found it to be rather fun.:biggrin:

[CRAP! Another Hobby]

REEFER ROB...awesome pics to see how the rock (and your tank) aged:biggrin:

STARRY... Maybe you can plan a "rock makin" trip to Calgary and join in on the fun!:lol:

OK........my first small batch of mmlr has bees sitting in a bag with some damp paper towels for over 3 days and it look good...feels strong. I plan to take it out tomorrow and begin the air curing. Maybe by the 3rd week of April I will start the water kuring...then hope to be able to place it in the tank the first weekend of June.