Slate?

[Jess1ca]

Im on a search for some good flat rock to build my "cichlid hotel" Is slate my best choice? Anyone know of any sites that have decently priced rock???

 

[jcolon]

Im on a search for some good flat rock to build my "cichlid hotel" Is slate my best choice? Anyone know of any sites that have decently priced rock???

Don't bother going online ... I'd say just go to a home gardening / home improvement store for decent sized and relatively inexpensive slate. Slate sold at LFS's I find are marked up higher than at home improvement stores.

 

[Mlani]

I have slate in all my tanks. It hasn't created any problems for me, other than constantly changing it up to try and find the "perfect" fit. I picked mine up quite inexpensive from burnco it's a landscaping place that sells gravel,dirt,concrete and bulk stone. They let me pick through and sometimes even let me just have the smaller pieces

 

[Jess1ca]

Don't bother going online ... I'd say just go to a home gardening / home improvement store for decent sized and relatively inexpensive slate. Slate sold at LFS's I find are marked up higher than at home improvement stores.

I live quite far from any stores At least an hour, thats pretty much why I suggested online I have found some tiles... But Im not sure if that is the same?!

 

[Jess1ca]

I have slate in all my tanks. It hasn't created any problems for me, other than constantly changing it up to try and find the "perfect" fit. I picked mine up quite inexpensive from burnco it's a landscaping place that sells gravel,dirt,concrete and bulk stone. They let me pick through and sometimes even let me just have the smaller pieces

Ah! That is awesome! I really wish that I had a store like that near me! Unfortunately I live in the "country" in northern Michigan. All the stores are an hour + away, and these mom and pop stores are senior owned and they DO NOT like to make deals! Not to mention they dont know if they are aquarium safe lol, and neither do I! Considering I am very, very new to fishkeeping!

 

[jcolon]

I live quite far from any stores At least an hour, thats pretty much why I suggested online I have found some tiles... But Im not sure if that is the same?!

In that case, Online sounds like the way to go. The slate that's used for walkways or a small retaining wall in gardenx work fine ... that's what I use. About an inch think, sturdy and durable. Slate Roofing tiles are generally thinner, could crack easier if dropped, but could also work.

The link below shows some paving slate that would work as an example.
3-garden-paving-ideas-slate | HomeKlondike.com - Home Interior Design, Architecture and Decorating Ideas

 

[jcolon]

Not to mention they dont know if they are aquarium safe lol, and neither do I! Considering I am very, very new to fishkeeping!

Unless it's been chemically treated ... slate straight from a quarry is safe. The confusion comes when some confuse shale (similar in appearance) to slate.

You do NOT want shale, it's generally a weaker rock that can come apart when submerged for prolonged periods of time.

 

[Jess1ca]

In that case, Online sounds like the way to go. The slate that's used for walkways or a small retaining wall in gardenx work fine ... that's what I use. About an inch think, sturdy and durable. Slate Roofing tiles are generally thinner, could crack easier if dropped, but could also work.

The link below shows some paving slate that would work as an example.
3-garden-paving-ideas-slate | HomeKlondike.com - Home Interior Design, Architecture and Decorating Ideas

Hey thanks for the link! Now I know what Im looking for lol, perfect! Any advice on how to break it I really like the look of the stuff they sell in the pet store but they want a million dollars a pound (I call that northern inflation lol)

 

[Jess1ca]

Unless it's been chemically treated ... slate straight from a quarry is safe. The confusion comes when some confuse shale (similar in appearance) to slate.

You do NOT want shale, it's generally a weaker rock that can come apart when submerged for prolonged periods of time.

Oh thank you for telling me that! I ALMOST bought shale, the man told me there was no difference

 

[jcolon]

Hey thanks for the link! Now I know what Im looking for lol, perfect! Any advice on how to break it I really like the look of the stuff they sell in the pet store but they want a million dollars a pound (I call that northern inflation lol)

Small Sledge hammer preferably ... you'd be surprised how tough 1inch thick slate can be. A regular hammer should do ... but be ready for a workout. Just whack away and let nature do the rest. With slate you kind of have to settle for how large the pieces break, but they'll all be relatively flat.

 

[jcolon]

Oh thank you for telling me that! I ALMOST bought shale, the man told me there was no difference

Yep ... happens a-lot ... Slate is the metamorphic rock form of Shale which is why the two are often confused. Both are flat and mostly composed of clays so look very similar. Slate has undergone more heat and pressure so it a tougher version of shale.

 

[Jess1ca]

Small Sledge hammer preferably ... you'd be surprised how tough 1inch thick slate can be. A regular hammer should do ... but be ready for a workout. Just whack away and let nature do the rest. With slate you kind of have to settle for how large the pieces break, but they'll all be relatively flat.

Sounds easy enough! Thanks for your help! That could actually be fun lol!

 

[Mlani]

If I grab a large piece I either use the hammer (as suggested earlier) or I go "cave man" on it. I just drop it on the driveway and see which way it breaks naturally. It's good for letting off some steam too

 

[Jess1ca]

If I grab a large piece I either use the hammer (as suggested earlier) or I go "cave man" on it. I just drop it on the driveway and see which way it breaks naturally. It's good for letting off some steam too

Ha! For sure! Im pretty excited!

 

[BillD]

Keep in mind that when you break slate you end up with sharp edges that can harm fish and look unnatural. If you are in the country, surely you can find suitable rocks nearby for free.

 

[jcolon]

Keep in mind that when you break slate you end up with sharp edges that can harm fish and look unnatural. If you are in the country, surely you can find suitable rocks nearby for free.

Bill D has a good point, you do end up with some sharper edges. What I do is use another piece of slate to smooth down the sharp edges.

 

[Jess1ca]

Yes that is a very valid point, I thought about sanding it

 

[Labenator65000]

Ha! For sure! Im pretty excited!

You should post some pics of your project as you are doing it. Good luck, and have fun with it!

 

[Jess1ca]

You should post some pics of your project as you are doing it. Good luck, and have fun with it!

Thanks! I definitely will! Cant wait to get my sand this weekend! Wish I would have went with the sand in the first place! Wasted $45 on this gravel and I despise the way it looks now, only after a week! I dont have much decor in now because I am doing lots of water changes and it disturbs everything, I just have cichlid stones and caves for now, oh and some ugly fake plants tee hee