Rocks in aquarium

[Ricey]

Hi, i'm just converting my 216l (56us gal) into a cichlid tank. I went and bought some rocks today, but my main concern is they seem very heavy. How do you go about putting the rocks into the tank? Is there any guide to how much weight a tank can take, or any info on how to stop the bottom pane from cracking? I'm using a fluvel duo deep 1200 with fluvel wooden stand if that's any help.
Thanks in advance for any info.

 

[Tolak]

I've seen tanks full to the top with rocks, just to show the durability of the tank. There is a trick to it. Put eggcrate under the gravel, put in gravel, carefully put in rocks. Here's a link for ya; http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=94407

Tolak

 

[Ferris]

I think the most important thing to consider is that the rocks you put in are firmly in place and stable. The tank should cope fine with the weight but you (and your fish) don't want any accidental rock falls. Aquarium silicone can be useful for securing some of the smaller/medium sized rocks to the tank walls.

 

[keane]

I've seen tanks full to the top with rocks, just to show the durability of the tank. There is a trick to it. Put eggcrate under the gravel, put in gravel, carefully put in rocks. Here's a link for ya; http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=94407

Tolak

and this is what eggcrate actually is: -

I put it at the bottom of my malawi tank when I set it up.

steve

 

[freddyk]

I've been loading up my tanks with rocks for years with no problems by placing the rocks on the glass. The tank can handle the weight without anything added, but as Ferris already mentioned it wouldn't be able to handle a fall.

I prefer not to use silicone because I like to rearrange a lot. These fish are not big enough to move around rocks, but they are able to dig under them. As long as you place the rocks right on the bottom (not on top of the substrate) so that the cichlids can't undermine them, you'll be ok. From there it's easy enough to stack them up. There is no harm in using the eggcrate if it makes you feel better about the whole thing of course.

 

[vantgE]

Instead, use eggcrate, then rocks, then substrate, cichlids will undermine the rocks and they can crash so place them directly on the bottom or on the eggcrate,

I use eggcreate for safety I would recomend it

 

[Ricey]

thanks for the help everyone!

thebaldranger,

that eggcrate stuff looks perfect. where can it be baught from in the UK?

 

[keane]

thanks for the help everyone!

thebaldranger,

that eggcrate stuff looks perfect. where can it be baught from in the UK?

Ricey,

I got it from www.aqualifeuk.com a few months back.

have just tried their website for you though and it doesn't seem to be up and running anymore .

Try a search on the internet for suppliers of pond equipment. You need to look for filtration equipment as the eggcrate is used for this purpose in ponds and is known in their trade as a filter tray or something similar.

steve

 

[Ricey]

cool. i think i found it on that site. what dimensions do they come in?

 

[keane]

cool. i think i found it on that site. what dimensions do they come in?

Can't remember to be honest. Was something like 36" x 18" but those two in my pic were easily more than enough to cover the bottom of my tank (48" x 15" surface area).

I had to actually cut them down a bit with pliers so they would fit.

steve

 

[SilvrCrest]

Is it possible to use the plastic cage frame you get with an undergravel filter to use as a support for the rocks? Y'know, the white pieces of plastic you can connect together.