how big of a rock can i put in my tank, how do i tell if it is to big and might crack the glass? the tank is a 125
rocks in my tank
- Thread starter crowconor
- Start date
im worried the rock would break my tank, is there something i can do...i was thinking about putting egg crate underneath the rock so there more surface area
The eggcrate will prevent scratching, but also distribute the weight more evenly for an edge supported glass tank. I have about 150 lbs of rock in a wall for mbuna setup with no problems in a 120 gallon. The heaviest individual rocks are probably around 20 lbs. Depends on brand, but typically bottom glass pane is quite thick.
Personally, I don't put large rocks in my tank for fear of it somehow breaking/cracking the glass (125g). But I also don't have egg crate/etc lining the bottom to disperse weight evenly, only gravel.
My former neighbor had a 75g tank he set up for african cichlids, and he bought some HUGE rocks for that tank. He lined the bottom with something (don't think it was egg crate, but something similar...to disperse the weight evenly).
1 rock was so big it took us 3 people to lower it into the tank, I'm guessing it was 100+ lbs. and before you start mocking us for needing 3 people to place a 100 lb rock, keep in mind its awkward to hold on to, and even more difficult to get any leverage on it while standing above the tank bent at the waist, and trying to avoid getting a finger crushed
His tank didn't leak for the year or two he had it set up.
I personally wouldn't use that large of a rock(s) in my tank though...just too much of a pain in the ___ to use it, move it, or remove it when the time comes.
My former neighbor had a 75g tank he set up for african cichlids, and he bought some HUGE rocks for that tank. He lined the bottom with something (don't think it was egg crate, but something similar...to disperse the weight evenly).
1 rock was so big it took us 3 people to lower it into the tank, I'm guessing it was 100+ lbs. and before you start mocking us for needing 3 people to place a 100 lb rock, keep in mind its awkward to hold on to, and even more difficult to get any leverage on it while standing above the tank bent at the waist, and trying to avoid getting a finger crushed
His tank didn't leak for the year or two he had it set up.
I personally wouldn't use that large of a rock(s) in my tank though...just too much of a pain in the ___ to use it, move it, or remove it when the time comes.
Egg crate will prevent a sharp angle on the rock from pressing excessive force on a single point/line...
I use egg crate in some tanks and I don't in others... I am convinced it is completely unnecessary to guard against a rocks weight but is a nice buffer to have if a rock is dropped...
As for "how much weight can the tank hold"... it can hold more weight than you can fit into it... play with google or you tube and you can find some amusing videos proving this...
So my answer to the question "what is the biggest rock I can safely put in my tank?"... is "the biggest rock you can place in your tank without dropping in the process of placing it"...
I use egg crate in some tanks and I don't in others... I am convinced it is completely unnecessary to guard against a rocks weight but is a nice buffer to have if a rock is dropped...
As for "how much weight can the tank hold"... it can hold more weight than you can fit into it... play with google or you tube and you can find some amusing videos proving this...
So my answer to the question "what is the biggest rock I can safely put in my tank?"... is "the biggest rock you can place in your tank without dropping in the process of placing it"...