Rocks for the Frugal

[gregongie]

I'm looking to set-up a 125+ gallon mbuna tank this summer, and I refuse to pay $1.50-$2.00/pound for rocks from my LFS. Is there any place I can go to to just find rocks?...Since we live on a rocky earth, afterall. What types of rocks, in terms of shape and composition, are found in Lake Malawi? Are there any N. American equivalents?(I live in Iowa)

Should I just go down to a lake and reach in?

[Seedy]

For africans try using limestone or sandstone, these can commonly be found for 10-20 cents a pound at a "landscape supply company"...at my local rock yard I can find Holey limestone, lace rock, holey sandstone...rainbow sandstone, and lots more...If you do go to the lake and "reach in", make sure you boil or bleach the rocks to remove local flora/fauna...

[Matt V]

yeah, i just go to Lake Michigan and grab rocks, bring them home and make a good ol' pot of rock stew. the tank i'm planning right now is going to be a great lakes squared tank - rocks and sand from North American Great Lakes, fish from African Great Lakes.

[Seedy]

Originally posted by Matt V
going to be a great lakes squared tank - rocks and sand from North American Great Lakes, fish from African Great Lakes. :D funny...

[PARROTT9668]

Seedy, how much is the lace rock per lb. at your local rock yard?

[Seedy]

10-20 cents per pound depending on type

[Fischfan13]

If you don't mind "river rock" in your tank then it is one of the most inexpensive rocks around.
If you don't want to go to the local shopping centers parking lot and take one or two at a time like an 85 year old neighbor of mine does for his garden, then go to either your local garden center or rock quarry.
I picked up 250 lbs of river rock for $2.50.....A PENNY A POUND at a rock quarry.
I soaked it for a few days in a brand new Rubbermaid garbage pail...fresh water and a little of bleach. Then you can boil the rocks (please take them out of the Rubbermaid pail first), lastly I soaked them again in fresh water with a dechlorinator.

[Idealconcepts]

I got these stones at Lowes and I think you can get them at HD also. At first they were $4.99 for a 15lb bag then they went down in price to $3 for a 15lb bag.


http://www.vcstone.com/accent.html

http://www.vcstone.com/accentpackage.html

I have them in my 135 with Elec Yellows, Kenyis, Blue Zebras, and Red Zebra's for about 7 months now. They are very easy to stack and its great watching the fish dart in and out of them.

[abenez]

Hey can you post some tank pictures?
These rocks (stones) sound great!

[Idealconcepts]

abenez - I will try to this week. I have never posted a pic so it might take me a few tries this first time.

[Seedy]

I thought I'd give this older thread a "Bump" with a pic...

I purchased 150lbs of limestone"holey rock" today for 10 cents a pound....I aquired them from my local landscape supply company (rock yard)....

This is the same exact thing that is sold as "Texas Holey Rock" for around $2.50++per lb.

Here is a pic of the largest piece I picked up (they had plenty larger) It's aprox 18x7x10 inches....remember:this was 10cents a pound....

http://www.cichlidforums.com/postimages/2006-01-27/127293-001.jpg
http://www.cichlidforums.com/postimages/2006-01-27/127293-002.jpg