I was wondering what everyone prefers. I am getting ready to get one or the other to put in my african cichlid tank but not sure what would look better or if either one works better at keeping the ph higher and stable.
tufa rock or holey rock
- Thread starter rob317
- Start date
Tufa, if it's source is volcanic, generally floats. Tufa if it is made of calcium carbonate (Calcite?) is not suitable for an aquarium because it will dissolve and radically raise the PH. Holy rock is safe and doesn't float.
Higher is good for African cichlids... I have never had a piece float. I like both. Depends on which african you use. Size of tank and other information. Can you give us a little more information please.
Tank size is 360 gallons 8x3x2. Right now I have 9 frontosa, 6 v. moori, 3 aulonocara lemon jake, 5 copadichromis borleyi red fins, 3 champsochromis caeruleus, and 3 nimbochromis venestus. Mixture of both lakes. I like the look of holey rock better but can get a good deal on the tufa rock so was just wondering what others thought.
I'm partial to lace rock. I've had THR in my tank but felt that it doesn't look that natural when stacked. Also, the algae growth on it will eventually give it a very "green" look. I'm buffering my PH with crushed coral in my AC's & it works just as good as the THR did.
Lace gives the tank a nice coral/reef feel & is very easily stackable for tons of caves. You can get it online or if you have access to it for a decent price, I'd look into it.
I've been extremely happy with my tank since I put 70lbs of it in. Here's a pic of it:
Lace gives the tank a nice coral/reef feel & is very easily stackable for tons of caves. You can get it online or if you have access to it for a decent price, I'd look into it.
I've been extremely happy with my tank since I put 70lbs of it in. Here's a pic of it:
Hi...
I have and like both and for different reasons...
Tufa... never had any of mine float either, is great for growing algae because it has a very rough surface which is great becase the fish can't pick it clean....
TXHR... it like nothing else for AF Cichlids... the holes are like rental apartments.... a fish moves in ... gets to big and moves ut and somebody smaller moves in....
In my 125G I have a mixture and in my 110G is 100% TXHR. Still waiting for a good friend with an awesome camera to take some pics.... hopefully this week.
Here is what I am going to do in the near future on the 110G...
I have 1 piece of TXHR that is 28" x 20" (at it widest point which is in the middle and will need to be chopped down a little), x 4". I am going to remove most of the rock, (which is a lot!!), and I am putting in a well cleaned longer type milk crate, on it's side and open to the back of the tank, with short sections of 3", 4", 5" PVC pipes about 5" long. They will be arranged like the milk bottles would have been and scerued in place somehow...
Then I am going to place the large flat piece of TXHR on top of the crate and wil probably overhang it.... then I have been collecting other smaller very flat peices and will use them to cover up the Milk crate... and wil use some of the existing TXHR to finsh off where needed.....
The goal is to give more space for lager fish without adding weight...
Here is where tufa comes in... I'll be getting rid of the gravel during this time and will place 3-4" chunks of tufa on the bottom of tank instead.... with no pleco and some new lights I am going for a totally green overhanging reef look....
Sometime this summer...
mm
PS/ the tufa is also a great base for putting larger more fragile peices of TXHR on!!!!
I have and like both and for different reasons...
Tufa... never had any of mine float either, is great for growing algae because it has a very rough surface which is great becase the fish can't pick it clean....
TXHR... it like nothing else for AF Cichlids... the holes are like rental apartments.... a fish moves in ... gets to big and moves ut and somebody smaller moves in....
In my 125G I have a mixture and in my 110G is 100% TXHR. Still waiting for a good friend with an awesome camera to take some pics.... hopefully this week.
Here is what I am going to do in the near future on the 110G...
I have 1 piece of TXHR that is 28" x 20" (at it widest point which is in the middle and will need to be chopped down a little), x 4". I am going to remove most of the rock, (which is a lot!!), and I am putting in a well cleaned longer type milk crate, on it's side and open to the back of the tank, with short sections of 3", 4", 5" PVC pipes about 5" long. They will be arranged like the milk bottles would have been and scerued in place somehow...
Then I am going to place the large flat piece of TXHR on top of the crate and wil probably overhang it.... then I have been collecting other smaller very flat peices and will use them to cover up the Milk crate... and wil use some of the existing TXHR to finsh off where needed.....
The goal is to give more space for lager fish without adding weight...
Here is where tufa comes in... I'll be getting rid of the gravel during this time and will place 3-4" chunks of tufa on the bottom of tank instead.... with no pleco and some new lights I am going for a totally green overhanging reef look....
Sometime this summer...
mm
PS/ the tufa is also a great base for putting larger more fragile peices of TXHR on!!!!
to me, THR looks good when its new but can quickly turn green/brown. Im not a fan of the red tuffa rock but the black looks nice.
Malawi Tango is right... the red just dosen't go... looking at some that I can't wait to get rid of...
If you can get a great deal the tufa grab it...!!! A tank that large you can always add tha TXHR...
As for the algae... IMHO, I really like the way the fish eat it so I am trying to grow more... If you don'yt like it after it turns from brom to green then just get a small pleco and it will be like Mr. Clean spent the night....!!! especially the TXHR... it has a smoother surface and the pleco I have in my 125g keeps those babies like new....
Good Luck...!
mm
If you can get a great deal the tufa grab it...!!! A tank that large you can always add tha TXHR...
As for the algae... IMHO, I really like the way the fish eat it so I am trying to grow more... If you don'yt like it after it turns from brom to green then just get a small pleco and it will be like Mr. Clean spent the night....!!! especially the TXHR... it has a smoother surface and the pleco I have in my 125g keeps those babies like new....
Good Luck...!
mm