DIY Aquascaping..?

[TheCommunityCichlid]

I use red lava rock in my tank. Easier to drill and make holes in. Still a huge pain but can be done with a nice big carbide drill bit and a hammer and a chisel. I bought about 150 pounds of boulders for $20 then used a sledge hammer to break them into smaller pieces. I had some petco ones with holes in them to make some caves I made two of my own before I decide its to much work. It's easier to stack and make caves then to drill holes in the rock. Trust me

 

[Big Tex]

I use red lava rock in my tank. Easier to drill and make holes in. Still a huge pain but can be done with a nice big carbide drill bit and a hammer and a chisel. I bought about 150 pounds of boulders for $20 then used a sledge hammer to break them into smaller pieces. I had some petco ones with holes in them to make some caves I made two of my own before I decide its to much work. It's easier to stack and make caves then to drill holes in the rock. Trust me

Wow that's a sharp looking tank, and rinsing measures I should take? Washing? And where did you get boulder sized rock..?

 

[TheCommunityCichlid]

For washing I just hosed it off really good. Call around the local landscaping and ask if they carry it. Only one place near me had it, but they had a lot.

 

[bthomas]

Go to your local landscaping company and get some basalt, sandstone, limestone or some nice big river rocks. Normally you can get 100 lbs for less than $20 bucks. I got some "blueberry" basalt when I had Africans and it looked killer in the tank and I only spent $14 bucks on it.

Any pictures of the blueberry basalt? Is there another name for it?

 

[Big Tex]

Any pictures of the blueberry basalt? Is there another name for it?

x2 on this, i need a pic for ref please!

 

[Mogurako]

Pictures of the rock can be found in one of my older threads, the close up pictures of the rocks should be on the 2nd page I believe.

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f100/placidochromis-phenochilus-173910.html

 

[Big Tex]

Pictures of the rock can be found in one of my older threads, the close up pictures of the rocks should be on the 2nd page I believe.

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f100/placidochromis-phenochilus-173910.html

sweet, how much was that..? and can any rocks be used in an aquarium or are some not fish safe? and what substrate is that..?

 

[TheCommunityCichlid]

Usually people say if you put vinegar on the rock as it fizzes then its going to change your water chemistry

 

[Big Tex]

Usually people say if you put vinegar on the rock as it fizzes then its going to change your water chemistry

good tip, is slate or flag stone ok..?

 

[TheCommunityCichlid]

good tip, is slate or flag stone ok..?

Slate should be good, and I'm not sure about flag stone depends on the rock I would assume

 

[Big Tex]

Slate should be good, and I'm not sure about flag stone depends on the rock I would assume

what substrate are you using in that tank..?

 

[TheCommunityCichlid]

Pool filter sand from menards. $8 for 50 pounds

 

[Nathanpopp]

I got my sand 50 pounds for $2.50

 

[Nathanpopp]

From lowes

 

[Big Tex]

Pool filter sand from menards. $8 for 50 pounds

whats the best way to keep sand clean from waste? i have a gravel vacuum from aqueon i believe its the one with the inline balloon primer, and its not sucking up the heavier stuff, any ideas..?

 

[Mogurako]

sweet, how much was that..? and can any rocks be used in an aquarium or are some not fish safe? and what substrate is that..?

It was about $14 bucks for 100 ish pounds if memory serves me. Yes you'd be perfectly safe adding any rocks you find yourself or at your local landscape supply provided you clean them yourself . However any rocks that contain limestone will naturally buffer your PH.

The substrate is a mix of black sand and crushed coral.

 

[TheCommunityCichlid]

whats the best way to keep sand clean from waste? i have a gravel vacuum from aqueon i believe its the one with the inline balloon primer, and its not sucking up the heavier stuff, any ideas..?

Get it as close as possible to the sand, I usually lose some sand when vacuuming but not a lot.

 

[Big Tex]

Get it as close as possible to the sand, I usually lose some sand when vacuuming but not a lot.

i do but it doesnt pick up the heavy stuff just the light floaty waste

 

[TheCommunityCichlid]

What kind of heavy stuff do you have? The waste is all you need to get out otherwise try a turkey baster or just the tube with no vacuum attached

 

[Big Tex]

you think the vacuum is slowing it down..? and i cal it heavy because its not getting moved by the gravel vacuum, it may be light as hell just not suck-up-able