Slate bottom

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K

koizilla

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 29, 2010
14
0
0
Toronto
Hey Guys/Gals,

Im in the process of setting up a 90 Gallon...
I'm not much of a fan of gravel, so I was thinking of using slate to tile the bottom of the tank. Has anyone had any issues / experience with this setup? (pro's and con's)

I'm planning on using silicone on the tiles to try and avoid fish waste and uneaten food to get trapped in the cracks, gaps and bottom.

All suggestion, and comments are greatly appreciated.

I've attached a few pictures of what kind of look i'm going for. (rough layout).

dsc01931n.jpg


dsc01935.jpg
 
Yeah i 2nd that. That slate looks high in iron, You better off going with stone tile or my preference, sand.
 
I go to the rock quarry to get my slate that way I can pick the thickness size and color of every peice I use. I sanitize in boiling water, this might be a better route for you
 
DOH!!!
I should have asked the question before I smashed up the tiles. :cry:
After reading the responses, I threw a few pieces in a bucket to soak and hooked up one of my spare t5 lights on a timer to shine directly on it to see if the slate will rust.

Will let everyone know what happens.
 
Ive heard of a method called a vinegar test to see if the rock has the potential to corrode. You just put a couple drops on where you think the iron veins would be.
You can also just let them sit in some water for 2 weeks then test the iron levels along with ph. This should let you know if any nasty contaminats will be released into your tank
 
Thanks for the tip Fishingout,

I did the vinegar test already and nothing fizzed or bubbled.
I'm currently working on my sump so i have time to leave it soaking in the bucket.
Will keep you guys posted.

Thanks again
 
Update:

I've soaked the slate in a 5 gallon bucket since July 29th,
Purchased a nutrafin iron test kit earlier today and tested the water...
No iron traces at all. :headbang2
Did another vinegar test, no reaction. :headbang2
Would you guys say its safe to go ahead with slate in the tank?
 
It is your call in the end. i found this on one site

Here's a better idea: if you have a nitrate test kit, you may also already have a better test than vinegar for lime content in rocks. My Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Nitrate Test contains two bottles of prepared solutions. Solution #1, labelled "Caution: contains hydrochloric acid," comes in a handy squeeze dropper bottle. If a drop or two on a candidate rock fizzes, or even bubbles, that rock would raise the pH in the aquarium

and the link if you care to read the rest http://www.skepticalaquarist.com/docs/aquascaping/rocks.shtml
 
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