tank decor

N

newstu

AC Members
Dec 13, 2004
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I have just picked up a 2nd tank from ebay (80 quid for a full set up Juwel 125litre with stand - 6 months old!) and am looking for some decoration other than the usual tacky stuff - i have found some nice stones from the garden and am boiling them now (wife thinks I am making rock soup!) and will test with vinegar before putting them in. I also have a couple of Sea Urchin shells picked up whilst on holiday in Cornwall - if I boil these will they be OK to put in? In fact what about any other shells? I cant see any reason why not I just thought i would check!

Cheers

Stu
 
just curious, why didn't you test the rocks with vinegar before you added them to the soup?

about the shells, I don't know how well they would work, I believe they would affect you pH in some way and it would depend on the fish you were thinking of going with... 'm not 100% sure on which the shells would do, lower or raise it though, maybe someone else could chime in with that..... I think it all comes down to what your plans are for the tank, what are you planning to keep?
 
shells

The shells would likely raise the ph and hardness of the water, of course by how much will be determined by how many and the hardness of the water already.
 
Dangerdoll said:
just curious, why didn't you test the rocks with vinegar before you added them to the soup?

'cus I'm a bloke and I rush into things!!!! :)

I am hoping to keep cichlids in my 125 litre tank so i want the rocks for them to make caves from

The urchins (and any other shells) were intended for my smaller tank which I have just started and has 1/2 dozen neon tetras just now and I intend to stock with various tetras and 'sharks' - red finned and silver

I had wondered why I hadnt seen more people putting shells into aquaria - I guess if it will mess around with the Ph values then I wont bother.

I'm just not too keen on the 'over the counter' decorations for tanks that you can buy - I would rather go for a natural look if i can.

Any thoughts on putting slate into aquaria??

Cheers

Stu
Click to expand...
 
I often use slate in my aquaria - its one of the suggested spawning sites for angels. Use it vertically as a backdrop and horizontally to make caves/hideaways. Never had any problems, just give it a good soak. Also make if you cut/break it there are no jagged edges, slate can cause quite nasty cuts if you're not careful. Tend to use it as it's a local material here in Cornwall.
 
I hear that, we all do that..... home depot or other local hardware stores carry a lot of things you could use for the tank...... good luck on the rocks, hope the boiling wasn't for nothing ;)

slate is fine, lot's of people use it for their cichlid tanks or other forms of cave deco.
 
Great news on the slate - Mom lives in Welsh Wales so I shall get her to bring me some over in the week

The boiling wasn't in vain - now that its dark I am going to get into full cammo gear & raid next doors rockery!! :mad2
 
What do you soak slate in? Where do you get driftwood and does that also have to be soaked? Thnx.
 
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