Rock alternatives

[tanker]

Is there a good rock alternative for African Cichlid tanks?? I think large rocks are too heavy. Is there an "artificial rock"?? Plastic rock?? ect. Something else I can use??

[Tiger15]

I have replaced rock aquascaping long time ago with large conge and abalone shells, and a couple pieces of tall artificial coral as room dividers. I like to do wall to wall substrate cleaning in every water change and shells are light and safe to move around. They displace much less water than rock so there is more net water volume for my fish. My Tanganyikan fish like to lay eggs inside the shells and I can just pick up the shell and transfer the fry to the fry tank. Rock is more natural looking because there are no sea shells or corals in African Lakes. But convinience and safety are my priority and there is nothing that can compare with sea shells. Here are couple examples of the shells I use.

http://server4.uploadit.org/files/271103-shell4.jpg
http://server4.uploadit.org/files/271103-shell3.jpg

You can buy large shells from craft shops. Make sure you cut exit holes in Conch shells because fish can get chased to death trap. I have also set abalone shells vertically on cement base to make caves. You can also pile abolone shells to make multiple caves using cement as glue and the resulting cave complex is a tenth of weight as rock caves.

[Oscar_Mania]

does this affect the hardness of the water much?

[valerie]

shels will raise the ph but that is ok if its an african tnak. If you buy shells from craft stores you have to make sure that they aren't coated with anyhting. Someitmes they have a clear coating on them to make them shiny.

But if you want lighter rocks why down't you try lava,tuffa or other holey rocks.

[tanker]

Valerie:

Thx. You have given me many ideas and alternatives. I like rocks for Africans (more natural, ect) but yes--to heavy, displace too much water, ect. Tuffa is a good idea, do LFS carry them?? I have never seen them, I know they for SW.

Thx again.

[Tiger15]

If you prefer rock, larva rock is better than Tuffa rock. Tuffa is the white porous rock that you can buy from pet shop. Tuffa is very light but over time it will disintegrate into powder. Larva is equally light but will last forever. Both rock make good African aquascape and more naturally looking than shells. But for me, I don't want the work to rearragne the rock every time I vacuum the substrate.

[~*LuvMyKribs*~]

You have to be careful about using pourous rock such as lava rock for your cichlids. (I just went to the local aquarium warehouse inquiring about this). Cichlids sometimes like to rub against rocks, as they do when swimming into and out of caves, and quite often will get scratched if the rock is too sharp. Be careful to select peices that aren't too rough or jagged. Holey rocks are good though for little natural caves.

I just went to the river today to collect rocks for my new malawi tank. Since I am going with a utmost natural look, I am using regular rocks and stacking them. Yeah they are heavy, but about the same weight as the water itself and the fish will be very happy with them.

Don't get too light colored rocks (white or beige), because lighter colors tend to 'wash out' the colors of the fish.

[tanker]

Tuffa rock will disintegrate?? What is it made of?? I would love some rocks and shells, if the rocks are not too heavy. Does anyone use lava rock without any problems??

[Tiger15]

Tuffer rock is soft porous limestone with rough surface. Holley rock is dense heavy limestone with smooth surface. I agree that rough surface can be hazardous to fish when they dash onto it accidentally. Typically you don't pile Holley rock but let them stand alone because they are very heavy. Holley rock is like Bonsai. Some Holley rock with nice shape and hole structure can be an artistic specimen. But Holley rock is hard to find unless you are from Texas or buy them by mail order.

[ewok]

i use "lace" rock. there's some pictures of it on these threads. i think it's more recommended for saltwater, but i haven't had any problems with leeching....... i had to sort of be patient to find good pieces at my LFS. i prefer the ones that are sort of naturally arched to make caves. the LFS buys a batch and then you have to wait for that batch to be gone before they order more. so you might get a few good pieces from this batch and then have to wait for awhile to get more......

http://aquaticadvice.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=325

http://aquaticadvice.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=229

you could also look into some of the plastic or fiberglass "rocks", i have one that i always thought was pretty neat.