Rocks in a cichlid tank

[Bigtay]

I have an question?I have had a pair of oscars for about 9 months and i just sold them yesterday. The setup i had in it was plane because i wanted the oscars to have plenty of swimming room. On that note, I'm really interested in African cichlid, I want to get about 10 to 12 of them. I also want to have alot of rocks in my tank to give it a natural feel. I have seen sum perfect rocks outside of my job that would look great in them,my question is may I use them in my tank and if so what is the best way to clean them. I know I can test them with vinegar and I have heard alot of answers to my question,but thought I would get yall opinion,thanks and hope to hear sumthin soon.

 

[JLcichlidlover]

I had some old rocks that someone in my family had used for a pond garden. It was approximately 5 rocks 4" thick and 6" to 8" long. I pressure washed them first. Then, in a large stock pot, boiled them for 30 minutes. Laying them out on a table, I let them cool. I had no problems at all.

I was also told to perform a vinegar test on the rock. Pour some on and if it don't foam, it should be good to put in. I tried a it and all was good. On the other hand, you may want to verify if the vinegar test is accurate.

Hope this helps.

 

[mfdrookie516]

I've heard (not actually seen) that boiling rocks is a very bad idea. I got mine from another member on here from the creek behind his house. I scrubbed them real good and soaked them for a few days. This is what my tank looks like.

 

[Andrey]

I have never boiled stones too and think it is enough to scrub and wash it in warm water.

 

[hdultra]

I've heard (not actually seen) that boiling rocks is a very bad idea. I got mine from another member on here from the creek behind his house. I scrubbed them real good and soaked them for a few days. This is what my tank looks like.

Very nice,

 

[hdultra]

I took all my rocks and ran them through my dish washer with extreme hot temprature. Work out very well. Oh and a 1/4 cup of bleach.

 

[jillofalltrades37]

I have an question?I have had a pair of oscars for about 9 months and i just sold them yesterday. The setup i had in it was plane because i wanted the oscars to have plenty of swimming room. On that note, I'm really interested in African cichlid, I want to get about 10 to 12 of them. I also want to have alot of rocks in my tank to give it a natural feel. I have seen sum perfect rocks outside of my job that would look great in them,my question is may I use them in my tank and if so what is the best way to clean them. I know I can test them with vinegar and I have heard alot of answers to my question,but thought I would get yall opinion,thanks and hope to hear sumthin soon.

How big is your tank? I love African Cichlids and cant wait to get a bigger tank for mine. I want to find some slate stones to do mine. I heard some say to wash in 10% bleach water, rinse a few times and i would let them dry in the sun.

 

[Bigtay]

I wanna thank y'all for your opinion,i bought me sum flat stones from a gravel place for an dollar, i scrub the rocks with an brush to get the dirt off and thru them in the dishwasher,they came out good and my new African cichlids love em,thanks again

 

[Bigtay]

I have a 55 gallon tank and right now I have eight baby African cichlids in it, think ima buy five more and that's all ima put in it, I loved my oscars but I think I love these African cichlid better because they remind me of saltwater fish

 

[mattrox]

Post some pics would love to see the tank.

 

[Bigtay]

I will post s piks up monday

 

[hdultra]

Thought I would show you my guy's. I mixed it up with some limestone flat rock to keep up the hardness in the water.. The center pieace is a coral look alike from Petsmart. Then on the right I put in drift wood for good cover. The substrate is sand made by sea carib, made for Cichlids. The sand keeps the ph around 8.

I take it that some of you are new to Cichlids, Remember that filtration is a must. fyi

 

[Shrimp fan]

I have boiled rocks in a pot before and I haven't had any problems. It was just normal water that was used nothing else.

 

[Angelfish56]

You could boil them and bleach them to you could stack them for the forms you want

 

[hdultra]

were is those pics

 

[Bigtay]

They r on my profile, don't know how to upload on the thread

 

[hdultra]

They r on my profile, don't know how to upload on the thread

When you are posting go to manage attachments. Upload from there..

 

[Bigtay]

Thanx, that was easy, but This is my tank and fish

 

[hdultra]

Thanx, that was easy, but This is my tank and fish

Real Nice, I love the Moon Lights.

 

[Bigtay]

Thanks