Bricks...

[krzr3000]

So does anyone use bricks in their tanks, or know of a general type to look for that are safe?
I'm trying to efficiently create caves to keep the mbuna happy while saving space (alternate stacking...stacked high). Things are getting a little tight in my 55g, and an inevitable upcoming move prevents me from getting a bigger tank at this point. I've resorted to PVC, so i'm not worried about losing the natural look, ha.
Today i picked up some narrow bricks from lowes but they failed the vinegar test. So i guess i should keep some vinegar on me when rock shopping from now on...

 

[mike dunagan]

what do you mean vinegar test?

 

[krzr3000]

what do you mean vinegar test?

Adding vinegar to a rock and see if it fizzes...to determine if its a carbonate rock that will alter water chemistry.
http://cichlid-forum.com/articles/rock_metals.php

 

[mike dunagan]

okay makes sense.

 

[pattycakescichlids]

I use river rock from the local lake and rivers, I clean and boil them. They look so natural and don't hurt the fish..

 

[navygirl76]

i wouldnt use any brick or "pre formed" rocks from a hardware store, they will likely have bonding agents to hold the mortar together.. id just find a rockyard (landscaping place) and get rock from there. i got 300 lbs of riverrock for 26 bucks... its really cheap.

 

[ryanc2106]

i got 26 pounds of lava rock for like 8 bucks or 7...

 

[krzr3000]

i wouldnt use any brick or "pre formed" rocks from a hardware store, they will likely have bonding agents to hold the mortar together.. id just find a rockyard (landscaping place) and get rock from there. i got 300 lbs of riverrock for 26 bucks... its really cheap.

Thanks thats the type of info i was looking for. Im just trying to maximize space and i'm not worried about things looking natural. I already use lava/lace/river/holey/tufa...etc

 

[cichlidgirl]

I use river rock from the local lake and rivers, I clean and boil them. They look so natural and don't hurt the fish..

Never boil rocks. Some rocks contain trapped gasses and when you boil them they can explode. Just scrub them with dish soap and a tire brush in the hottest water your hands can stand (dish gloves make that easier) then rinse very well. You can also soak over night to see if any contain petroleum products, they will leave a rainbow slick on top.

 

[Muske]

Slate can be found at landscape yards as well. Cheap and stacks nice, making caves is a snap.