Not sure how many people are familiar with this company or their products. They make a product called a cichlid stone which essentially is a ceramic hollow cave targeted towards African Cichlids but honestly can be used in any tank. About my only complaint about the “rocks” was that they didn’t have an extra large sized rock that I always thought would look good in a tank. Well I just happened to spot that they have a new product and it is just the item I was looking for.
The rocks have a ton of benefits in my opinion. For starters since they are lighter there is no fear of one falling and cracking a pane. With the lighter weight it is also a relatively easy process to rearrange them which I do about once a month or so to try and prevent the cichlids from establishing territories. I also feel that they are much more realistic looking than any other fake rock on the market. I personally prefer to have the openings facing towards the back making the rocks look even more realistic.
Another benefit is that being hollow they displace much less water than traditional rock, meaning that there is simply more water in my tank.
I have seen the in packs of 3, 10 and 15. I prefer the 10 pack because it is all medium and large rocks. The 15 pack has some small rocks offered which I only use to fill gaps. Rarely do I see fish in them.
The only drawbacks that I have found is the cost and the fact that detritus builds up inside the caves. But if you are constantly rearranging as I do this is not really an issue. I pick them up with the openings facing up, remove them from tank and empty into the sink. Costs on Amazon is usually $60-70 for the largest packs. Individuals can be purchased but much better value buying packs. The extra large ones that I just got were $36 each but since order was over $70 there was free shipping. These I purchased directly from their website which can easily be searched.
The new rocks are a different color or shade the my older ones but I kind of like the contrast in the tank.
Hopefully someone finds this helpful. I will attach another picture of the tank with all rocks back in place. Just did water change and want the water to settle.
The rocks have a ton of benefits in my opinion. For starters since they are lighter there is no fear of one falling and cracking a pane. With the lighter weight it is also a relatively easy process to rearrange them which I do about once a month or so to try and prevent the cichlids from establishing territories. I also feel that they are much more realistic looking than any other fake rock on the market. I personally prefer to have the openings facing towards the back making the rocks look even more realistic.
Another benefit is that being hollow they displace much less water than traditional rock, meaning that there is simply more water in my tank.
I have seen the in packs of 3, 10 and 15. I prefer the 10 pack because it is all medium and large rocks. The 15 pack has some small rocks offered which I only use to fill gaps. Rarely do I see fish in them.
The only drawbacks that I have found is the cost and the fact that detritus builds up inside the caves. But if you are constantly rearranging as I do this is not really an issue. I pick them up with the openings facing up, remove them from tank and empty into the sink. Costs on Amazon is usually $60-70 for the largest packs. Individuals can be purchased but much better value buying packs. The extra large ones that I just got were $36 each but since order was over $70 there was free shipping. These I purchased directly from their website which can easily be searched.
The new rocks are a different color or shade the my older ones but I kind of like the contrast in the tank.
Hopefully someone finds this helpful. I will attach another picture of the tank with all rocks back in place. Just did water change and want the water to settle.
