Rock Formations
- Thread starter bnicetome
- Start date
Very easy to build your own. If you use slate just stack it, it you use river rock, use silicone as an adhesive.
Where could I go about finding a supplier for slate? I'm planning a small (dwarf) cichlid tank and want to build rock formations for them, like miniature caves and such.
Several places where I have readily found what I needed:
Lanscaping/Nursery/Garden centers...they often carry rock and stone for borders, walkways, drainage, water features and patios.
Brick Suppliers...they often carry not only brick but concrete block and many types of stone and rock.
Home Improvement stores that have garden centers, like Lowes, Home Depot, Builders Square..etc.
In some areas, even gravel suppliers may have or can get stone for drainage projects and road construction. They often have it sorted by size and it's quick to get a few in the trunk and pass over the scales.
Lanscaping/Nursery/Garden centers...they often carry rock and stone for borders, walkways, drainage, water features and patios.
Brick Suppliers...they often carry not only brick but concrete block and many types of stone and rock.
Home Improvement stores that have garden centers, like Lowes, Home Depot, Builders Square..etc.
In some areas, even gravel suppliers may have or can get stone for drainage projects and road construction. They often have it sorted by size and it's quick to get a few in the trunk and pass over the scales.
When collecting rocks, or those in petshops, you should keep the aquarium needs in mind. For instance you don't want a limestone, or coral based rock in a tank with soft acidic water.
Some rocks can be surprisingly porous. Be carefull that these aren't bringing toxins into your tank. Porous rocks taken from organic soils can retain a lot of organics and/or ammonia.
When in doubt, slate and granite are often safe.
Some rocks can be surprisingly porous. Be carefull that these aren't bringing toxins into your tank. Porous rocks taken from organic soils can retain a lot of organics and/or ammonia.
When in doubt, slate and granite are often safe.
Anything doubtful can be tested to see if it is inert. Some cite the vinegar test -- you scratch the surface and drop some vinegar there. If it bubbles it's not inert and not safe -- however that test isn't all that accurate.
The best test is one using a stronger acid. If you have an Aquarium Pharmaceuticals nitrates test, then testing is pretty accurate and easy. The nitrates test kit contains two bottles: one that has warnings for caustic substances and one that just says "harmful". You want the bottle that has all the warnings on it.
That bottle contains hydrochloric acid and you need to be careful when doing this: scratch your rock and put a couple of drops of hydrochloric acid onto the exposed surface. If it bubbles, don't put that in your tank. If it does not, it's safe.
Wash the rock thoroughly in warm water when you are done. I use an old tooth brush on the sections that were tested and rinse thoroughly.
Roan
The best test is one using a stronger acid. If you have an Aquarium Pharmaceuticals nitrates test, then testing is pretty accurate and easy. The nitrates test kit contains two bottles: one that has warnings for caustic substances and one that just says "harmful". You want the bottle that has all the warnings on it.
That bottle contains hydrochloric acid and you need to be careful when doing this: scratch your rock and put a couple of drops of hydrochloric acid onto the exposed surface. If it bubbles, don't put that in your tank. If it does not, it's safe.
Wash the rock thoroughly in warm water when you are done. I use an old tooth brush on the sections that were tested and rinse thoroughly.
Roan
a local rockery is the way to go, if you go to home depot or the such, be careful 'cause most of the stuff they have isn't real rock but molded cement. PLus, if you go to a local rockery(find in phone book or ask local mason where they get there stone from) they will most likely give you what you want for free, because there not going to cry over 15 bucks when they are supplying masons for hundreds even thousand of dollars.
Heres my tank, all the rock was free.
Heres my tank, all the rock was free.
echoofformless
Peat Advocate & Defender Of Snails
Of course, if you intend on using them for an African cichlid tank, than it is arguably safe to use rock which raises the pH. Though I wouldn't use too much of the stuff....