anybody ever use these? real rock etc is sooooooooo bloody expensive where i live & i thought this might be a fairly natural looking alternative. i can't find it for sale in canada & would have to order online. but i don't want to go there if it's going to be real plasticy & fake looking.
lok rocks by penn plax
- Thread starter maigen
- Start date
I've used the lok rocks and the cliffs and caves things. they aren't bad but you can tell they aren't real. With the lok rocks, the trick is to use them for structure, but kind of shield them with natural decor like a few real rocks, or plants. they blend in well.
Depending on your exact location, you should be able to pick up all the rocks you want in your back yard. Lake ontario area is limestone mostly, and some limestone north through Montreal, but the rest of Eastern Canada is primarily Igneous rock mostly granite with some basalt and quartsite in places. you shuldn't have to pay for rocks at all. Lastly, if you have trouble finding what you like, the lanscaping shops have rocks much cheaper than the LFS's.
Depending on your exact location, you should be able to pick up all the rocks you want in your back yard. Lake ontario area is limestone mostly, and some limestone north through Montreal, but the rest of Eastern Canada is primarily Igneous rock mostly granite with some basalt and quartsite in places. you shuldn't have to pay for rocks at all. Lastly, if you have trouble finding what you like, the lanscaping shops have rocks much cheaper than the LFS's.
i had no idea that you could use those types of rocks. there's no danger putting them in your aquarium. what should i do to make them aquarium safe first? are there type that i should avoid completely? thanks for your help
LOL! Am I going to have to admit that my shrimp tanks are loaded with lok-rocks? Add some Anubias nana, some Java Fern, lots and lots of Java Moss, and the shrimp are in heaven - lots of hiding places post-molt, lots of surfaces to algae-graze, minimum water displacement, I would hate to do without them. 
The Macrobrachium tank omits the Java Moss, too fine for that Jumbo.
The Macrobrachium tank omits the Java Moss, too fine for that Jumbo.
If you put a few drops of vinegar on the rock and it fizzes, don't use it in the aquarium.
I would also not use rocks that have sharp, jagged edges.
The rocks you intend to use should be scrubbed to get rid of dirt and debris, then soaked for a day or two in water to which some bleach has been added. This process rids the rocks of any micro-organisms that may give you problems in your aqarium.
Then soak the rocks in fresh water to rid them of any traces of bleach.
Boiling the rocks is another option, if you can do it safely.
Bill in WI
I would also not use rocks that have sharp, jagged edges.
The rocks you intend to use should be scrubbed to get rid of dirt and debris, then soaked for a day or two in water to which some bleach has been added. This process rids the rocks of any micro-organisms that may give you problems in your aqarium.
Then soak the rocks in fresh water to rid them of any traces of bleach.
Boiling the rocks is another option, if you can do it safely.
Bill in WI
Depending on your knowledge of geology, you are essentially trying to avoid calcium carbonate and metals. Most igneous rocks are fine, the vinegar test is an easy one, I usually put my rocks in a buket of distilled water. I test the PH before adding the rocks, and put a bubble stone in the bottom of the bucket. after 3 days I retest the PH and if there is no significant change, and if the water didn't cloud or mud up badly, I use them. Boiling is a good Idea, scrubbing is a definate need. someone on here reccomended the dishwasher, I'll have to say it works, but don't let your spouse catch you. It wasn't worth the trouble.