Rocks and how heavy???

[WhitesFastFoods]

Hi...I'm thinking about taking out the coral type rocks in my sons tank and replace them with river type rocks. The tank is an "All-Glass" 90 gallon. It has about 2 inches of substrate, consisting of pea sized,half dollar and 3 inch size rocks. Can large type river rocks @ 5,10 or even 30 pounds be used to make a wall ? Or is this a disaster in the making. Thanks!

Jim

 

[BIGgourami]

i think that it's a disaster just because the wall wont be very "wallish" it'd be more like a mound but yeah i do think that that is a little too much weight. if you brought the substrate down to about1" maybe.

 

[Dr Joe]

If the bottom of the tank is fully supported underneath, you can put a piece of 1/4" thick plexiglass the size of the stone under the substrate (or anything that could get under the stone. This will also cure the problem of pressure points under the stone.

As a rule, I try not to put anything heavier than I would set on my finger, on the glass bottom ( I hate cleaning up water ).

If it's for a wall consider having the stones cut in half at a lapidary (see if you have a rock & gems group in your area) or use a concrete blade in a circular saw.

Or do a search on here for fake backgrounds.

Send us some pix of the outcome,

Dr Joe

.

 

[ewurm]

The problem with river rocks is that it is impossible to clean under them without tearing the entire tank down.

 

[gomezladdams]

I have several hundred pounds of river rock,slate and holey rock in my 125g mbuna tank.Under the substrate is a piece of eggcrate(light diffuser for drop cieling).Several other members have said they use the same material under rockwork with good results.Still make sure you stack rocks carefully,a rockslide could go through the side.

 

[Dr Joe]

I have several hundred pounds of river rock,slate and holey rock in my 125g mbuna tank.Under the substrate is a piece of eggcrate(light diffuser for drop cieling).Several other members have said they use the same material under rockwork with good results.Still make sure you stack rocks carefully,a rockslide could go through the side.

Cleaning is the only reason I don't suggest the egg crate material...If it's hard to clean...you know it won't be done .

How do you like cleaning yours? Any tricks?

Dr Joe

.

 

[WhitesFastFoods]

Thanks.....good ideas!!!

Jim

 

[Sundew]

If you can find it, you can use pieces of slate which are quite flat and stack readily.

As to cleaning under river rocks you can use three small rocks to form a tripod for larger ones so there are not large dead areas under the rocks. It also makes a cave or tunnel for the fish. I have loaches in one tank and had to make sure the support rocks are on the bottom of the tank because loaches dig and might accidentally crush themselves if they dig under a rock. After having read this thread a piece of plexi would have been a good idea, but most of the rocks in the tank are not very large and have been in place for over two years.

We don't really have "rocks" in central Florida except for coquina which is compressed marine bivalve shells and is only good for marine or african cichlid tanks. Lots of sand though!

Sundew