Warning about paint coming off of cichlid rock ornament!

[Ir3land]

Hi fish friends! Unfortunately I made a mistake and I wanted to share this experience with you all to hopefully prevent it. I bought these cichlid rock ornaments thinking I would be good since they would add a hiding spot for my fish. Unfortunately, these guys were on the low quality side as I found out this morning. I’m currently fighting a brown algae problem and so I used a new toothbrush and stuck it in the tank to scrub off some of the algae when the paint started coming off! Thankfully, I was able to use a sython to get the paint particles out. I got an attached photo to show y’all which one they are so you guys can avoid them!

 

[BruinAquatics]

Oh wow that's weird and unfortunate! Same thing happened to my friend while I was at his house... we acted almost too quickly lol

 

[AIvinn]

Thank you for sharing! I would've never known about that.

 

[Ir3land]

Oh wow that's weird and unfortunate! Same thing happened to my friend while I was at his house... we acted almost too quickly lol

For sure! Thankfully the other decor in there hasn’t shed paint at all, honestly I’m suspecting that the quality of decor depends on who you buy it from. And I did the same lol

Thank you for sharing! I would've never known about that.

Of course! I’ve learned a lot here so I figured I return the favor

 

[BruinAquatics]

Yeah true, I usually try to do name-brand stuff for that lol

 

[Ir3land]

Yeah true, I usually try to do name-brand stuff for that lol

Well I definitely learned my lesson!

 

[awilkinson871]

I bought some at Petsmart and they did the same thing.

 

[Ir3land]

I bought some at Petsmart and they did the same thing.

Exactly my situation too!

 

[Dechi]

You should share the brand as I’m sure there are many manufacturers of those and some must be good quality.

 

[awilkinson871]

You should share the brand as I’m sure there are many manufacturers of those and some must be good quality.

They are a Top Fin cichlid caves. They come in multiple sizes. A week or two after I put them in I got a brown algae bloom and when I went to scrub them the paint was peeling.

 

[A201]

I stopped using artificial decor years ago, partly for the same reason. I learned to shop the local rockyards and landscape companies for my decor. I always thought that those plastic cichlid cave looked cheesy, and they are really expensive.
Here's a pic of real limestone Cichlid cave rocks bought at a local rockyard for 20 - 25 cents a lb. IMO, a much better deal.

 

[awilkinson871]

I stopped using artificial decor years ago, partly for the same reason. I learned to shop the local rockyards and landscape companies for my decor. I always thought that those plastic cichlid cave looked cheesy, and they are really expensive.
Here's a pic of real limestone Cichlid cave rocks bought at a local rockyard for 20 - 25 cents a lb. IMO, a much better deal.
View attachment 792264

Wish I had a place like that here. I am in the middle of the desert so it isn't always easy. I have upgraded over time, but had to order things online. You always learn the hard way...lol.

 

[Littlefishyfish]

They are a Top Fin cichlid caves. They come in multiple sizes. A week or two after I put them in I got a brown algae bloom and when I went to scrub them the paint was peeling.

Thanks for sharing
WSgift Safe Ceramic Aquarium Decorations Fish Tank Decor Cave for Hiding, Betta Fish Accessories

I have had these for four years. They glow in blue light. They very faintly glow after being charged with light all day. My pleco keeps them spotless. They're smooth so he can suck them thoroughly.

 

[AIvinn]

I stopped using artificial decor years ago, partly for the same reason. I learned to shop the local rockyards and landscape companies for my decor. I always thought that those plastic cichlid cave looked cheesy, and they are really expensive.
Here's a pic of real limestone Cichlid cave rocks bought at a local rockyard for 20 - 25 cents a lb. IMO, a much better deal.
View attachment 792264

At the end of the day, I feel like the most important thing in aqua scaping is to try our very best to replicate the natural habitat of the actual fish. --> can be very costly lol.

 

[Ir3land]

They are a Top Fin cichlid caves. They come in multiple sizes. A week or two after I put them in I got a brown algae bloom and when I went to scrub them the paint was peeling.

Yep! Literally the exact same situation here

Wish I had a place like that here. I am in the middle of the desert so it isn't always easy. I have upgraded over time, but had to order things online. You always learn the hard way...lol.

Same bro!

I stopped using artificial decor years ago, partly for the same reason. I learned to shop the local rockyards and landscape companies for my decor. I always thought that those plastic cichlid cave looked cheesy, and they are really expensive.
Here's a pic of real limestone Cichlid cave rocks bought at a local rockyard for 20 - 25 cents a lb. IMO, a much better deal.
View attachment 792264

That looks amazing! I actually just found out a store nearby that actually sells rocks! I swear I didn’t know till I went just an hour ago, and I got some . I’ll definitely experimenting with them

At the end of the day, I feel like the most important thing in aqua scaping is to try our very best to replicate the natural habitat of the actual fish. --> can be very costly lol.

For sure! I’ve got some live plants in there, I try to add some more natural stuff mixed with some artificial, just to give it a little something mostly for my little sister .

 

[Tayler]

Thank you for this! I would have never known about this. Good thing I didn’t buy these, I almost did when I saw them at the store!

 

[Ir3land]

Thank you for this! I would have never known about this. Good thing I didn’t buy these, I almost did when I saw them at the store!

Of course!