Making your own rock

Have any of you made your own rock? One of my concerns is can it or will it affect my tank in years to come.

If you have made it how long have you had to soak it? Also do you soak it in saltwater, does it have to be heated?

I have searched and only know what I have read online.

Any pictures, tips, hints, or tricks would be great, thank you so much.

 

There are dozens of threads, sites and methods describing how to do this using aragonite sand and concrete or mortar mix. The general rule of thumb is by the time you're done you're going to spend about as much as you would have on base rock from a site like reefcleaners.
BUT:
1. you can shape the rock how you want it
2. there's that wonderful self-satisfaction from DIY
3. there's so many tips and tricks that there has to be some good reason to do it, right? right?

Regardless of how you do it it's backbreaking and time consuming. If that's your thing it can also be fun. The aragonite sand seems to be the secret to getting coraline and other life to grow on your live rock, (which prevents people from asking you why your tank is full of concrete!

 

I've made plenty with and without sand added, either was is fine and yes coralline will attach. Use portland cement. you can add pure crushed oyster shells(chicken feed) or aragonite sand. I let mine sit in plain old tap water for about 6-8 weeks. I check my pH every few days-week until it gets to 8.2, then I rinse it with ro/di water and put it in my tank. I've made caves and really enjoy making it. if you have an area where you can make it and let it sit for 24 hours to harden so you can pick it up, it helps alot, then put it into the water where you plan to cure it(not in your tank)! here's my thread. if you look you will see the rocks that I made. http://www.3reef.com/forums/fish-tank-brands-kits/6-long-48496.html hope it helps!

need to add...I think I spent a total of 40 bucks for 5-55 gal tanks fulls of rock. I've sold some of it too.