Water Changes & Big Rock's

[FINWIN]

Each to their own. In my case, I find lots of rocks piled together means less aggression, more hiding places and escape routes, more caves and tunnels, and more breeding. The downside is that poop and uneaten food can collect under the rocks - but not excessively so.

View attachment 1367647

LOL@ the random severum!!

 

[tiger15]

Thanks again everyone for your help. I really appreciate it. I was just curious to know what you guy's did during water changes with your rock's.

I move the rock around and siphon the trapped debris one section or one pile at a time in WC. There is no need to remove them out of the tank, just rearrange them. So it’s important to choose light weight rock so it’s safer to move around. If you use large heavy rock, you avoid moving them once set up as it can be dangerous if you flip. There is no need to lay down egg crate if you use a layer of sand or gravel as cushion, as cichlid will dig out sand to expose the unsightly egg grate. Lace rock make good caves, light and interlock tightly and look more natural than carved rock, but any rock is better than pvc pipes and flower pots.

 

[Nick Park]

I move the rock around and siphon the trapped debris one section or one pile at a time in WC. There is no need to remove them out of the tank, just rearrange them.

Another advantage of rearranging rocks with some cichlids is that changing the layout helps prevent fish from getting overly territorial. Less likely to think of it as 'their' cave if it changes every so often.

 

[Nick Park]

LOL@ the random severum!!

I know! The purists won't like the severum in a Malawi tank, but she came with the tank, and I have nowhere else to put her. My only other tank big enough for her houses 3 blood parrots, and there was war last time she shared a tank with them. There's actually a younger male severum in there as well - but he's hiding from her and so isn't visible in the photo. I'm hoping they'll mate eventually, but at the moment she just chases him while thy both ignore the Africans.

 

[Fishflyer]

I find and stack lighter and curves stones to make caves. Two flat stones make the walls and a curved or thin flat one make a nice roof. Get creative with your rock stacking and cave building. I make sure mine sit secure.

I often buy man-made caves that I surround with similar colored and textured real rocks. You can find from cheap to expensive attractive man-made caves.

I move and clean rock structures rarely. I did one today. I didn't find detritus under it. It was surprisingly clean.

Whenever I add a new cave, it is invariably soon in use.

 

[tiger15]

This is what my rockscapes used to look, ugly and artificial, but easy to clean and provide good habitat. This is what it looks like now with Java ferns attached to the rock, better looking, less artificial, and provide excellent habitat, but more work to maintain and won’t be qualified for nature aquarium competition for the wrong type of fish and rock.

 

[Zanzag]

None of my rocks weighs more than like 10 lbs but is all river rock and with different sizes and shapes caves and tunnels stack up well. Silicone or the epoxy that reef guys use work perfect if you want caves with a roof

 

[Stanzzzz7]

I never move any rocks or decor for maintenance, never see the point. Water quality stays good. I think people can get a little ott over a few bits of debris under rocks. All you need is regular water changes and a few mt snails. No issues.

 

[jaws7777]

I never move mine, all of them are placed directly on the glass ( flat bottomed boulders. with substrate added after. ) Some are 30-40 pounds a piece, so a little tricky/risky moving around on a regular basis.

This.

I never move rocks around. Its easier if you have sand instead of gravel. Covering up the base of the stones with sand helps keep debris out. Gravel is just a overall p.i.t.a

 

[celebrist]

i don't move my cave works either, i have had to rebuild some after the occasional earthquake up here