Pile of rocks substitute??

[FishoPhile J]

i'm still relatively new to the cichlid game, and i know that they just Love a huge pile of rocks to swim around in, but for simplicity reasons, i would like to have just one or two big pieces with alot of cracks, caves, tunnels, and hiding places. this post might end up in the diy forum, but i was wondering, where can i get (or how can i make) a tank sized center piece that would give them all a home?? i've been looking at all the lfs's nearby (i have 7+ to choose from) and the closest i've found (which is not really what i want) is a big piece of driftwood, unfortunatly, any piece that big is sure to take up alot of space, but doesn't have the kind of hiding places a pile of rocks would provide (not to mention the ph drop a log like that would cause). also, if i diy it, what kind of materials are tank safe for sculpturing (i was thinking mabey wax casting or some sort of oven baked plasticine?) any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Glaive]

But perhaps I can save one of the experts some words. It would help if you provided a tank size and what fish are/would be in it.

Personally I have no rock stacks, just smashed terracotta<boiled for 30 minutes> and some pots with holes. I have a lava rock that I bored holes through out <boiled it for an hour> fake plastic plants and fake rocks from the LFS.

My female julie likes the lava rock.

Hope that helps some.

[TheRevHeat]

Hey i was wondering in my tank i have alot of tree stumps with holes and hiding places but i do not have alot of rock i have alot of plants and shells but not any rocks ....should i change to alot of rocks ??/... I also have alot of PVC that te love to swim through.

Just wondering!

[matt1066]

I wouldn't worry about the material your decor is made of, the fish don't care. If it is a hole they can call home, thats enough.

The only thing you might consider is; that if you are keeping hard water loving species, you may want to get rid of the drift wood.

If you like what you have, no reason to change it.

Regards,

Matt

[TheRevHeat]

THanks matt. the wood that is in thee isfake so i think i should be good!

[DG]

Hi,

I've got a similar problem. I've got loads of fist sized rock ( i think it was called cheese rock because its full of holes). Also smaller rocks are cheeper to buy over a period of time (how can u justify spending £50 on a single rock!!!) But like yourself, i'd like one massive one reaching right to the top of the tank (18") but not spread out to much. But i can only reach a certain height before the fall.

So waht i'm thinking of doing is using silicone or something t glue the lot together into a slingle rock.

But one possible problem i've read is that the weight distribution will be poor and there is a chance that the bottom of the tank could crack.

Is this a strong possibility anyone?

Thanks

DG

[SGypsyMermaid]

Originally posted by DG
Hi,

I've got a similar problem. I've got loads of fist sized rock ( i think it was called cheese rock because its full of holes). Also smaller rocks are cheeper to buy over a period of time (how can u justify spending £50 on a single rock!!!) But like yourself, i'd like one massive one reaching right to the top of the tank (18") but not spread out to much. But i can only reach a certain height before the fall.

So waht i'm thinking of doing is using silicone or something t glue the lot together into a slingle rock.

But one possible problem i've read is that the weight distribution will be poor and there is a chance that the bottom of the tank could crack.

Is this a strong possibility anyone?

Thanks

DG

here's an earlier thread on the subject:

http://cichlidforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=105

[merlyn2221]

DG: Don't know what it's called where you are, but (in the States it's called "eggcrate") you could use something like a plastic grid that covers flourescent office lights to line the bottom of the tank. This helps if rocks drop and also helps a little to distribute the weight of the rocks.

Also try calling the manufacturer of the tank and find out if it has a weight limit for decorations.

I have 2 Perfecto tanks, a 55g and 120g. I called for a weight limit, but there is none because they use tempered glass. The only thing they said was to put something on the tank bottom first (they suggested the "eggcrate") and try to evenly distribute the weight across the tank. The problem they told me is not so much the glass cracking, as it is the seams being stressed and possibly coming unstuck.

Currently I have around 90 pounds of lava rock in my 55g tank, and well over 225 pounds of lace rock in my 120g.
It is evenly distributed and is sitting on "eggcrate."

[DG]

Thanks guys for that.

merlyn2221 - i think i know what your talking about. Its square shaped and looks like a big waffle. But is that sort of stuff (plastics) safe for fish? Because the ones at work are silver. I checked and they are coated in metal spray or something like that.

I'll go to b&q (diy shop) and see how much they sell it for.

But first i got to fix my tank 2day cos its leaking.

Cheers

[merlyn2221]

DG: yes, that's what I was talking about! Mine is white though. I don't think that the silver (metal coated) would be good for the tank. It might have some chemicals on it that would be bad for the fish. The one I used, as I said, is white plastic, and poses no danger to the fish. What I bought was about $11(what's that, about 5 quid?) a sheet for a 48"x 24" piece.

If you have a hard time getting it at home, let me know, and possibly we could work it out so I could send you some. :wink:

Is where are you in relation to London? Just curious. I have a great fascination and admiration for Great Britain and all things British, so I like to learn as much as I can about it! I used to teach British Literature and History for many years, so it's "in the blood," so to speak. :lol:

Cheers!

[DG]

Hi merlyn2221 - i pulled a few of the rocks out yesterday And held them together and they are HEAVY. But due to tank repairs, the rocks are on hold. I think plastic cable ties would be better thank silicon which i hink might not hold as well.

I live in outer west London. About 10 mins from heathrow airport. So if i catch the tube, it'll take me about 30 - 45 minutes to get into central london.

It like when i went to New York for holidays. I though id love to live there. We were staying on Broadway. But in many ways it was like living in central London.

We are sort of hijaking this guys thread. If you want to, you can start up a London thread in the 'Lounge' where we can discuss London:)

As for the rock, it should take me a week to sort out the leak, then i'll start working on the rocks. Thanks merlyn2221 for the offer. Its most appreciated :)

[merlyn2221]

No problem! :D

[DG]

Hi, i tried doing the rocks yesterday. I used the cable ties, but its no good. The rocks are still wobblie and i couldnt get them to stand up straight.

I was talking to a tank manufacturer yesterday about buying a new tank, and i asked him if they had any product for putting heavy rocks onto. He told me "WE USE A THICK POLYPROPALENE MAT,WHICH IS 10 MM THICK TO PUT ROCKS ON".