Alternative to Cichlid stones?

[Crew]

Hey there,
Just wondering if anybody knew a possibly cheaper alternative to the cichlid stone. Creative ideas are welcome
I've heard people using styrofoam and a cement coating.
Ideas/what are you using/ ?

 

[mfdrookie516]

creek rock... that's what I used... about 350lbs of it

 

[Crew]

creek rock... that's what I used... about 350lbs of it

That's a lot of pounds. Creek rock.. So did you buy it or just found it?

 

[mfdrookie516]

Well, I could have went and got it. Another member here got it and I gave him some stuff in exchange for his labor. You can pick out all sorts of shapes and sizes to make what you want. I had rock stacked up about 3/4 of the way to the top of my 150g.

 

[Crew]

Hmm. My primary "want" is for some decent hiding spaces for my fish. But I guess the rock gives you all the capabilities to do so.

 

[mfdrookie516]

Yes... do you have africans? Rocks and africans usually go hand in hand (minus a few that prefer shells, etc).

 

[Crew]

I'm going for either kribensis or blue rams.
Also a pair of striped Raphael catfish.

 

[Pstarkey35]

I used flagstone which I got from the local landscape store. .24 cents a pound. Cheap and looks good IMO.

 

[Crew]

That looks great!
Unfortunately for me I have little space to work with. I need to think a little smaller, hence the cichlid stones.

 

[Pstarkey35]

Clay pots are always an option.

 

[Crew]

I've seen some of those in others' tanks. Looks pretty good, won't mess with my parameters at all?

 

[Patterson333]

I've also heard of some people using large PVC elbows to make caves. You can glue some substrate on the top to make them blend in a bit more.

 

[Pstarkey35]

Nope, I've used them before. Just have to make sure and clean them first. The PVC is also a good idea I've seen that works well.

 

[Crew]

Liking the substrate method.
My tank is gravel but I'm hoping to upgrade in size and use sand in that one. Definitely will keep that in mind.

 

[Patterson333]

Check out the link. If you scroll down to the section labeled "Aquascaping Ideas," there are a number of different suggestions for how to make DIY caves.


http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_list.php

 

[Crew]

Check out the link. If you scroll down to the section labeled "Aquascaping Ideas," there are a number of different suggestions for how to make DIY caves.

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_list.php

Definitely some great ideas there. I am indeed intrigued. I think it's time I get a little creative!

 

[joel618]

This is mine. Im prob gonna change it up soon but this is it at the moment.

 

[Crew]

Woah. Clay pots eh?
Definitely going for sand on my next tank.
Nice!