GoGators

I just got a new 120 gallon tank which is currently cycling. Had a tank a few years back, but I'm still feeling like there's a lot I don't know yet. I am going with Africans and want to do some tank scaping prior to adding the fish. I've been to the local fish stores and priced rock for the tank. They have some nice stuff, but expensive. If necessary I will go that route for purchase, but I was wondering if you can get rocks from landscape, quarry type places. Are there any specific types of rocks that are safe for aquariums. Have any of you on the forum used rocks or other tank scape materials not purchased from a pet store? Any clever ideas for creating spaces for cichlids. Thanks, Richard

rainman

The only safe item that people commonly use that I know of is clay pots.

Angela_96

For african cichlids, if you are going for malawi mbuna you can get slate and limestone from landscaping places, bleach it, scub it, and boil it then put it in your aquarium with declorinator for a few days before you get your fish.
I got all of my rocks for my freshwater tanks (except one I paid way too much for lava rock for at the petstore) out of local creeks, lakes, and landscaping places.

The limestone will help keep the pH up and with the hardness.

GoGators

Thanks Angela for the excellent information. Later today I will go out scouting for some rocks. What is lace rock? What about limestone from a landscaping place, should I bleach it, boil it, etc. I understand that most cichlids like their own spaces (little "caves" or places in the rock). So I think I will need quite a lot of rock?

aquarist48

I use a lot of terracotta and I have used slate rocks from time to time. Adds a lot to the scenery and hasn't affected my water chemistry in any way. Send some pics our way if you have the means once you're complete. Welcome to Fish Lore!

navyscuba

yeap you can use rocks from landscaping places. Just clean it really good like Angela said. All my rocks on the 100 gal African Cichlid tankcame from a Landscaping place. I paid $50 and got over 100 lbs of rock. Check the pic.

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alicem

Absolutely check out landscaping places, plant nurseries, Home Depot, Lowes, etc.
This is a great time of year for those type places to be in full swing with supplies and selection.

Often quarries sell "rip rap" used to prevent erosion in ditches, dam overflows etc.
It is often lime stone and would be good for stacking and increasing pH. I'm not sure what they quarry in FL (if that is where you are located)

I've gotten rocks from the creek behind our house. I definately scrub them under hot water and have boiled rocks and shells before.
If you bleach them, be sure and use a double dose of dechlorinator with the final rinse. Setting them in the sunshine will dissapate the bleach residue, also.
A strong salt water bath will kill many germs.

As far as places for cichlids to hide, some have used PVC pipe hidden under and in the rock piles. Look for black color pvc.
Some have "glued" sand to the pipe surface using silicone caulk, to disguise it.
I'd prefer a more natural look with rock stacks, but be sure they are stable using caution when stacking rocks.
You don't want to accidently cause a landslide when you get in there for your water changes.

Once you get the rocks put them in your cycling tank so they can grow good bacteria on them too!
These are exciting times for you, be sure to post picts!
alicem

Angela_96

I am pretty sure lace rock is a type of limestone. Any limestone is fine, I would def bleach and boil it to get the contaminants off.

I have several rocks stacked up in all of my tanks about 5-6 inches high across the bottom, it seems to be plenty room for them to get their little territories going. One thing to think about when stocking your tank since you have to go with 4-5 fish at a time, I would stock once then re-arrange the rocks the day before the next batch. It will give them a chance to get territories without a fight.

Then of coarse after a year or so you will get the one fish that will take over 3/4 of the tank. Its happend in all of mine. Its really funny how they get their territories!

GoGators

I found some great rocks at a local landscape place. I was fortunate to run into someone getting rocks for their aquarium (very experienced cichlid person). So I was glad to learn which type of rocks to pick out. I also got great advice on stacking the rocks in the aquarium. Sounds easier said than done. I'm attaching photo of my first attempt. How about suggestions and other ideas for placing the rock. I know to leave plenty of room to clean insides of the glass.

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x leper x

nice, i like it.

navyscuba

Awesome.

alicem

Oooh, looks like cichlid heaven.

One way to get the poo from under/around the rock pile is to use a turkey baister.
No kidding. I use it to "puff" at the rocks and sand so the poo floats up. I then suction it out while I'm doing a water change.
I do it in small workable sections while syphoning that stuff right outta there.
Watch that you don't "puff" the sand into your filter intake. That would be bad.
hth,
alicem

Angela_96

Beautiful!! Great job.. Do watch for the little buggers to dig, that can be an issue with the rocks tumbling. I went from stacking mine to piles of rocks after mine started digging to china.
You can use aquarium silicone between the rocks to glue them together.

≈ D ≈

Angela_96

Here is how mine is done in my 55g:
http://www.fishlore.com/aquariummaga...lontank-lg.jpg

GoGators

Great to hear nice comments about my first attempt. Steveangela very nice tank. I'm thinking that tomorrow I will "test" the rocks to make sure they are nice and stable--don't want a landslide. The turkey baster is a great idea and I will definitely use that one. Hope that I will be able to get my first fish in a week or so.

TedsTank

If you live near a nice creek or river, try to find water worn rocks (the smooth rounded ones)....they reall look cool and natural. They are in all differnt shapes to make brigdes hinding places etc. Sterilize them then into the tank.

GoGators

will look this weekend for some lake/pond rocks. navyscuba nice tank; are those plants in your tank? What kind of plants are good for cichlid tanks? Can you use artificial plants?

navyscuba

I have artificial and the 3 that are in the front spread out but the same kind and real plants. Anacharis to be exactly.

alicem

Silk plants look pretty natural, as long as they are green.
Pink, blue and purple "plants"... natural, not so much... but I suppose that's just the gardener in me talking.
Artificial plants (silk or plastic) will actually look more "real" after a little algae grows on them.

You might want to research your cichlid choices. Herbivores and some omnivores might not do as well with live plants.
Diggers may uproot and rearrange even the artificial ones.
You could try placing rocks around the base of plants (live or artificial) "planted" in the substrate to curtail some of that uprooting.

If you want to try live plants, two low tech plants: anubia and java fern, can be gently wedged in the rock stacks, instead of "planted" in the substrate.

Your best bet is to have the plants (any type) in the tank and established before adding the cichlids.
Also, not to worry, live plants are not a problem for the cycle.
hth,
alicem

GoGators

I think artificial plants will be best for me--at least to start with--being new to all this. Good suggestion of establishing the plants BEFORE I add fish. Also anchoring them with rocks is a great idea. Question: Just how strong of diggers are cichlids? If I securely place base rocks and then pile rocks on top (also secure), can the cichlids trench under the base and undermine the whole thing? I am so excited to get my first fish, but I will be patient for the cycle to finish

navyscuba

They will get the sand or gravel on their mouth and dig like that until they are comfortable with the space they made and when they dig under the rocks they shift and collapse. So is always a good idea to put the rocks in first and secured them really good before adding the sand or gravel. If you did already try pushing the bottom ones all the way into the bottom to sit on plain glass. I did it myself and mine are not secured with silicone but they were added in layers so it one falls the other one holds it from falling on the fish and the bottom ones are sit on the glass. Good Luck. You can get underwater epoxy but is not as good as silicone.

alicem

Looking back on your photo, your substrate looks kind of like gravel? Maybe it's a coarser sand than I'm used to.
Anyhoo, like navyscuba suggested, you should try to get the bottom (base) rocks set on the glass bottom.

Another way to do it is to pull out the top rocks and, with your hand, sweep the substrate forward in the tank. (assuming your stacks are toward the back of the tank)
Clear the substrate away from the tank bottom where you want your stacks, as best as you can.
Then place the "base" rocks on the bottom of the tank.
When your base rocks are set, you can move some of the substrate back around them (don't cover them) and begin carefully make your stacks again.

I know it's a lot of trouble, but it's a waiting game for the cycle anyway...so you may as well.
Rearranging, adding the artificial plants and making sure the rocks stacks are stable will give you some activities during this time.