How to Make Nano Reef Rock

[@ipsfdotcom]

You can use the sandbox sand mixed with Portland cement to make rock. Once the mix has fully hardened (cured) it is essentially inert and the silicates will not matter. For the sandbed however you should use a true aragonite sand.

[@ldsidahoinmatt]

Love the hand motions in the shadow

[@ipsfdotcom]

Thank you for the comment! Yes, it's a fun place to work. Being an aquafarmer is a great lifestyle. Even after more than 30 years it's still exciting because there is so much to learn. We'll never know everything there is to know about the ocean and its inhabitants! When we explore, we learn.

[@ipsfdotcom]

Yes, if you can't find aragonite sand you can use regular sandbox sand, which should be available in the big box hardware stores or in a garden supply store. It is not absolutely essential to use coral sand to make culture base rock as we are doing in this video. Other sands will work.

[@ipsfdotcom]

Try a garden supply store -- it does not have to be coral sand or crushed coral. Sandbox sand will work as well.

[@ipsfdotcom]

All the rocks made from cement and coral sand looks gray when it is new but after it really dries out thoroughly it lightens up like the rocks shown in this video.

[@dylandabomb230]

this video made this all make ALOT more sense,,,, when you are curing the rock can you use like untreated tap water/well water just mixed with salt put in a container and throw in the rock and let it cure??

[@ipsfdotcom]

thank you Rick, for the suggestion to make it! hope it helps give you the basic idea.

[@ipsfdotcom]

You can also use regular sandbox sand. Once it is made into rocks as described in this video and allowed to cure for a month or so in seawater, it is essentially inert and will work fine for base rock.

[@ipsfdotcom]

Have you tried Home Depot? Look for a product called Play Sand there. Or try Lowes, Walmart, or any well stocked garden supply shop. If that doesn't work find our where folks in your area get sand for sandboxes and use that for the rock mix.

[@TENDURA22]

Hello, love your videos. Do you use regular #1 portland cement or #2 white portland cement. wondering if there is a big diference.

[@ipsfdotcom]

Yes -- straight tap water, real seawater or mixed seawater. All work fine for curing the rock. You can even put it outside in the back yard and let the sun and rain cure it. This takes a little longer though.

[@DaytonaRoadster]

this looks useful but dont you still need some real live rock to seed the aquarium?

[@ipsfdotcom]

Thank you for the comment! We feel that using man made rock is better for the environment.

[@ipsfdotcom]

Yes, the same instructions apply as for saltwater tanks,

[@K3V1NR083RTS0N]

I have some of the Play Sand in my kids' sandbox...isn't that stuff silica instead of aragonite? Does that make a difference?

[@KevinBlakely]

Thanks for all the info. This is exactly what I want to do with a 92g corner tank being set up. Have you ever used this technique to make entire walls? (say 24" x 30"). I would like to essentially create reef walls on the sides (the aquarium is pie shaped) but thought it would be far more realistic than stacking rocks. Any suggestions or recommendations ??

[@PfeifferFishing]

i live in canada i dont think they have this in homedepo what else can i use to make it do i need the crushed corals and sand plzz git back to me

[@ipsfdotcom]

Aloha. To keep things simple and cheap use regular Portland cement. White cement works too but it is more expensive and has no advantage :-)

[@dylandabomb230]

how do you make it so that it doesnt come out like real cement grey i kinda want it like light grey like yours

[@ipsfdotcom]

Yes you may use it for fresh water. Don't forget to age the new rock for a month or so in fresh water in a big container (such as a trash bin) before using it. Change the water at least once a week during this time and monitor the pH. The rock is cured and ready to use when the pH in the soaking water stays constant at about pH 7 (neutral).

[@boririk]

Can I use this rock for fresh water? Thank you.

[@sxaxmxc]

would it stick to pvc pipe? i was thinking of making pvc live rock frames and shaping it on the pvc.

[@MmFord45]

Hey this is great advice and I do appreciate it and gonna give it a shot.

[@flyingSnakess]

id love to work at indopacific seafarms, looks pretty interesting from all your vids

[@ipsfdotcom]

@lmposible Yes, in the video and in the "more info" section we talk about aging the new rock for a month. This is long enough to cure it and leech out anything that might raise the pH.

[@ipsfdotcom]

The rock remains intact while curing. It should not break off or become soft. It behaves like concrete.

[@jossmalo]

Awsome Video! Thank you very much for the helpful tips

[@ipsfdotcom]

Thirty days submerged in water will cure the rock (saltwater or freshwater is okay); change the water every 10 days. At the end of the month (optional) check the pH to be sure -- it should be close to 7 (neutral) in fresh water or close to 8.3 in seawater.

[@SuperGrowPlants]

Cannot find Coral Sand or Crushed Coral... :( Anyone in Los Angeles Area know where I can find some?

[@dalpiero]

hey, just one question... I need to put rock salt also? our not??? ALOHA, surf é vida!

[@ipsfdotcom]

@leeandstacie See our video on Growing Great Coralline Algae. The dead base rock needs to be seeded with coralline spores and given time to develop a nice covering of living coralline, as shown in the video.

[@ipsfdotcom]

Yes, but you have to add the beneficial bacteria to the system. Our Liquid N-Reducer is designed for this purpose.

[@RicketsReef]

fantastic, thank you very much for this video.

[@K3V1NR083RTS0N]

Great! Thank you...love your vids by the way!

[@dylandabomb230]

just to make sure, you said just plain tap water will work? no salt mix just plain tap water (mine is from a well) because i dont want to have to spend more money on salt mix.

[@ipsfdotcom]

Yes.

[@ipsfdotcom]

You are most welcome. Thank you for Henrik Larsson, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and all the great Swedish players!

[@ipsfdotcom]

Aloha to all -- There's a contest running right now on our Channel Page, with $100 in free livestock to be given away (4/16/09).

[@jaygorny]

pause @ 2:30.... What's the cannon for?

[@bierbiceps]

how to detect ph .. at home. any instrument

[@GeraldHeslinga]

@lesterclaypool1 Thanks for the great letter! You have discovered how to start an ecosystem the natural way. Introduce some very simple organisms and let nature take its course. Wonderful results, all it takes is patience.

[@ipsfdotcom]

Please see answer below :-) No additives needed.

[@Seodotcom]

Great info.. "live rock"

[@revoltkid123]

yeah im in ohio too ( bethel ) i cant find it anywhere too

[@ipsfdotcom]

Watch the TEDx video by ipsf President Gerald Heslinga, featuring clean, green, responsible reef management. Reviewed by Reef to Rainforest Media: www.reef2rainforest.com/2014/11/08/video-gerald-heslingas-tedxkamuela-tridacna-aquaculture-talk/

[@ipsfdotcom]

@lmposible Yes of course:-)

[@ipsfdotcom]

No risk. Just follow the guidelines here and be sure to let the newly made rock soak and cure for a month or so.

[@ipsfdotcom]

You are most welcome. Thank you for Henrik Larsson, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and all the great Swedish players!