favorite aquarium decor?

[Lobo.]

In general the fake rocks and statues and even real rocks are all overpriced and usually not very good in the LFS's in my area, so ive (other than the plants) just found and cleaned my own decor. For me this works pretty well, but there isn't always something just laying around that fits my specific needs (like a rock w/ a cave in it) so im just asking openions on what some of ya'll like to put in your aquariums.
P.S.- what is the best way to clean rocks and driftwood that is found in rivers in lakes?

 

[pl*co]

I have the same opinion, especially of the rock prices. I do have a few artificial decorations though. Yet, I really like slate. I just can't get around paying the price for rock and wood. So I visited the local Home Depot and checked out the tile department. Sure enough, they had slate tiles. I picked one I liked (without the "stuff" on the back) and brought it home. With hammer in hand, I broke up the slate into a variety of shapes and sizes. I then took a small piece of fine sand paper (I'm sure a file will work also) and smoothed the edges a bit, so as not to harm the fish. Sounds toilsome, but it was ok to do while watching a TV show. I boiled the slate just to be sure and performed the vinegar test, then added the slate to my tanks in a variety of configurations. You can see the setups in the link below in my signature. Total cost: $1.97. I used the slate in three tanks and I still have a few small pieces left that I did not use. The stack of slate in the 25 gal looks better than in the pic. I already had the piece of rainbow rock, but now it has a nice bit of green algae on it, so it blends in nicely.

Another thing I have done is to buy a larger piece of wood and break it up into smaller pieces. Then I can use it for a scattered effect or arrange it for a focal point. A case in point is the driftwood in the 10 gallon. Previously one piece, I broke it out into one larger and one smaller piece. Another piece of wood is split in smaller pieces and is now in the 10 gallon (behind the larger piece), some scatter in the 25 gallon and the larger pieces are along the back of the 30 gallon.

 

[Karnaaj]

Cleaning rocks depends on what kind they are. If the are at all porous like sandstone and others the only way I would trust them is by soaking them in several changes of water over a period of weeks. If they are not porous, a good soaking overnight followed by a good scrubbing should be all you need to do.

 

[JosephMCorbett]

Sweet tanks Pl*co. My fav. is the 10 gallon. I like the bamboo. Anything special done to the bamboo before adding it to the tank? Does all of the wood make your water soft? When I first set up my tank, I wanted one of those fancy lava rocks you see at the LFS with all the caves and holes in it. I just couldn't spend the money, so I went to my local landscaping place and bought a huge lava rock for like 2 cents a pound. For the 125 I'm setting up, I broke down and bought a really nice rock at the LFS at $1.60 a pound....it was $56.00 - ouch, but it's cool with all the holes, caves, etc. I've also found some cool decorations at the LPS in the reptile area. I've got one resin tree stump that I think is pretty cool and doesn't look as corny as some of the aquarium resin decor.

 

[pl*co]

Thanks JMC. I boiled the Bamboo first. They are actually pieces of dried bamboo plant stakes that I cut to various sizes. I found them at Home Depot. The wood softened the water early on, but now it does not appear to have much of an effect now. No color leaching at this point either. Yes, you can't beat the look of the real thing (lava rock) if you have the bucks. Watch the reptile decor. I have been checking that out myself. I asked the person at the local Pet Smart who just happens to have reptiles and she explained why the tags on the decor say "Not recommended for aquariums". She said that sometimes the paint is not aquarium safe, but also that some decorations have been known to turn soggy. ugh. I couldn't SEE the difference, except in color, between the resin cave in the reptile aisle and a very similar shaped version in the aquarium aisle.

 

[Lobo.]

Thanks for the help guys, your tanks look nice Pl*co, I hope to be able to put mine on my signiture soon. I like the way you arranged your slate, my favorite rocks that im useing in my tanks came from some river in Western Carolina. There is some really neat Quartz and stripped rocks (the black and white ones) Id also like to use some of the limestone and flint that is found around where I live, but ive heard that these rocks can change some of the aspects of the water in the Aquarium, how true is this?

 

[pl*co]

True enough, some rocks can. The best way (from what I've read here) is to drop a little vinegar on them. If they don't fizz, they are inert and won't change the pH, for example, which is the case with the Quartz.

 

[Lobo.]

One last question out of this thread, what is the best way to quickly clean driftwood (and yes after a rock-cleaning insident im not allowed to use the kitchen for cleaning aquarium stuff, dont ask...)

 

[pl*co]

hehe... my imagination just went nutz.

Sorry, but boiling is the best IMHO... I think someone here said soaking in a salt solution, but I would search the forums here to be sure. Just for grins I searched on this (all together)

wood soak salt

several posts popped up with cleaning information that does not necessarily involve the kitchen. Salt was one of the options. Check 'em out and see what you think.

 

[FishKeeper-16]

Don't buy decor at walmart except rocks and/ or fake plants because there orniments look down right stupid and I laugh when ever I see someone buying them cus there are colors on the decorations that are too loud for aquariums I think.