Lavarock background

[lightninjim]

Been looking for a DIY background and came across this::grinno:
DIY rock background&caves (http://www.duboisi.com/diy/BNdiygrotto/bndiygrotto.htm)

We plan on having a few plants and some driftwood in the tank too. Our planned fish stock will be:
6 male Guppy's
5 Zebra Danio
4 Odessa Barb
3 False Corydorus
2 Marbled Hatchet Fish
2 Black Molly's
2 Sailfin Molly's
(The last 3 pairs may be discarded, dunno yet)

Is the background suitable for these fish and can the lava rock used be the type used for gas fired BBQ's?
May seem like silly questions but we really dont have a clue!

[Danger_Chicken]

I don't know much about those fish but will they even use the caves? The setup is for africians. IT would be a shame to spend soo muc time building the cave system and then not have it used.

[lightninjim]

Not to sure if the caves will be used but my wife and I agree it looks good (only one so far). Been trying to read up on the fish we've selected and some of them seem to be shy and like to hide amongst plants, we just formed the conclusion that they'd use the caves too.

[GinBlack]

I agree with Danger_Chicken, the caves would be utilized by african cichlids, I would think the fish on your list would feel more secure with plants than rocks, but I'm sure they'll find use for it! :)

[seaofdreams]

I'm sure that the caves will be used and loved. I'm not too sure on what kind of rock can be used but to be on the safe side I would either get natural rocks that are located near/in water and use those or purchase rocks from a LFS or from one of the loads of online suppliers that sell all different types of rocks.

[lightninjim]

Thanks for the replies so far!

Does anyone know if its safe to use lavarock intended for gas barbeques in an aquarium. Only ask because it's less than quarter the price in the hardware store than it is in our local pet shop chain (I'd prefer not to buy anything from them if it's at all possible).

Edit:- I dont have a local fish shop anymore, they were pushed out when the chain store moved in. Not keen on chain-stores, they dont offer the same degree of knowledge, care, assistance. Jeez I could go on forever

[jdec]

evn if the fish u have dont use it it would still look realy kool and when u have company tou will gets some oos and ahhs

[Noto]

I haven't been able to find any definitive answer on the content and origin of the various lava rocks available. Some lava rocks are natural and are mined, others are the byproduct of various industrial processes. Either way, the mineral content is variable depending on the source lava or ore, so I would hesitate to say any of them are tank safe. Another issue is that lava rock has many small sharp edges; it is essentially frothy glass, and the edges are just as sharp as glass. Your fish may scrape themselves on these edges; grazers such as cories are especially vulnerable.

Many aquarists have successfully kept fish with lava rock, so it certainly can be done. I'm just pointing out some potential issues.

[lightninjim]

Lava rock has many small sharp edges; it is essentially frothy glass, and the edges are just as sharp as glass. Your fish may scrape themselves on these edges; grazers such as cories are especially vulnerable.


I never thought of that to be honest.
What about using granite, are there any types that would be unsuitable?

Can anyone from the UK recommend a silicon which is aquarium safe, comes in large tubes and doesn't break the bank? I don't want to spend £4 for a 100mL tube:cry:.

[lightninjim]

Sorry for the granite question: I asked the head technical guy in my quarry and it turns out more than 95% of granite types are inert. Iron pyrite being the biggest culprit in those that aren't.

The silicon question stands though (no offence to those outside the uk but naming tends to be different in other countries)

[paopanlilio]

i did something like that but i siliconed directly to the glas for a 35 g tank

[lightninjim]

did you manage to make any decent sized caves that way?

[Noto]

There's always good old expanding foam insulation. Once you carve it down and paint it it looks decent, and after the inevitable layer of grime and algae forms it will be indistinguishable from real rock. Plus it's light (you'll have to anchor it to keep it from floating) and won't scratch your glass or fish.

[Proteus]

Thanks for the replies so far!

Does anyone know if its safe to use lavarock intended for gas barbeques in an aquarium. Only ask because it's less than quarter the price in the hardware store than it is in our local pet shop chain (I'd prefer not to buy anything from them if it's at all possible).

Edit:- I dont have a local fish shop anymore, they were pushed out when the chain store moved in. Not keen on chain-stores, they dont offer the same degree of knowledge, care, assistance. Jeez I could go on forever


I remember - lava rocks for grills has some stuff added to it- so no not safe as I had to buy black lava rocks thru some dude from utah straight from the quarry to ensure no stuff were added to it for my project

[spaulding]

landscaping lava rocks would most likely be safe for you. as for the silicone GE silicone I is your best bet.

[lightninjim]

I've searched for GE1 silicone in local stores and on the net in the uk. I've had no luck so far. Maybe it's rebranded I dunno?

I have managed to find something thats waterproof and does'nt seem to contain biocides of one type or another. It's a multipurpose sealer/filler made by unibond.
I'm a bit hesitant about buying it as it's a filler.

[paopanlilio]

did you manage to make any decent sized caves that way?


no because i didnt like the caves i just wanted a unique background

[lightninjim]

paopanlilio: Thanks for the replies.

We liked the fact the background would be individual and neither of us like those plasticy stick on backgrounds.

[joehanney]

try ebay for silicone, they normally have it on there.
you can also see what there selling as aquarium silicone and then search for it on google to see if you can find it cheaper

[lightninjim]

Thanks joehanney.
So far I've only come across the toothpaste sized tubes of silicon and I'm really not willing to pay the price of a full tube for that size.
If I have any luck I'll try and post to the sticky on silicon.

[joehanney]

aquarium silicone http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Aquarium-Fishtank-Silicone-Sealant-Clear_W0QQitemZ230332889232QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_P et_Supplies_Fish?hash=item35a0e8f890&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1686%7C 293%3A1%7C294%3A50

[lightninjim]

Very Impressed:grinyes: Including postage thats only about £1 more than acorn wanted for the tiny tube:swear::angryfire.

I have been looking through E-bay and it's mostly portugese suppliers I found.

A HUGE THANKS :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
Jim