Here is a question.

Whats the best rock to use and how to stock it in a 90G (48x24x18d) tank so that there are two piles on each side going all the way up to the top, making lots of caves/hiding places, and leaving lots of open area for sand dwellers to live?

- could I lean rock against glass (not for support just touching)??

thanx for any sugestions.

The only rock I feel safe stacking way up high is lace rock because it's rough with lots of crags that make a fairly tight grip with other rocks.

Mine is not sharp, but it is rough to the touch. I haven't had any problems with my fish getting hurt on it, but it's something to consider.

I've had pieces touching the glass, but it's tough to clean those areas so I don't do that anymore. I always worried about it as well - wasn't sure if it was safe or not.

Look at this topic Tom:

http://cichlidhaven.net/index.php?showtopic=1039

Here are some tips for placing large rocks:

http://www.buntbarsch.ca/index_files/Page704.htm

And yes, you can lean the rocks against the glas.

Good luck Good Job

Very helpful information, Buntee!

I am going to use it for my new tank very soon!

Thanx Klaus.

So what you are saying is that any "limestone" will be fine? Today I went to Betz cut stone and WOW... there is like million different kind of this stuff. I see how easy it is to stack this rock as it is nice rectangle shaped.... also at $0.17/lbs excellent deal.

I will pick some up on monday just dont want to kill my fish in the process.

I got great info out of this too, Klaus. I'm using egg crate in all my tanks beneath the substrate.

Tomek, as most of the "Dinosaurs" around here will tell, I proscribe to the "Mongo Big Rock" style of tank decoration. I have some rocks in my tanks that go over the 50 pound range. I have been uing egg crate for many years to compensate for the weight of the stone on the glass. Like Klaus, I have had a few "accidents" where I have lost tanks due to cracking from the stone work I used in the tank. Here are a couple of examples...
This first one is an Malawan Hap tank...large pieces of quaried limestone that has been "tumbled" to give it smooth edges to be used as landscaping stone. Some of the bottom pieces weigh inexcess of 30 pounds or more, and are about the size of lrage truck battery.

This is my 125 "Riverine" tank. The large grey river rockin the center of the tank weighs 72.12 pounds. I love that rock...it looks like a giant dinosaur egg. It is sitting on a double layer of egg crate. Since it is almost perfectly round in cross section, I cut a piece of egg crate with a hole in it to keep the rock from rolling (chuckle...chuckle) That way I am able to use it as a base rock with other river rocks stacked around it to make it look like the current is coming from the back of the tank toward the front.

So its possible to use large impressive center piece type rocks in our tanks, you just have to do a little advanced planning in the begining. I hope this helps.

By the way Klaus...that is one beautiful tank you have posted on your website!

4mongo

Nice looking riverine tank you have there, Mongo!

And it is good to hear from you again!

Been missing you lately, but I understand that your
time is pressing!

Take care, friend!

I'll ditto that "It's nice to read your messages" post as well, Mongo. We know your hours have been awful, but when you do get time to drop by it's great to see you.

Don

Thanks guys, I really appriciate that. I drop by more than y'all think, usualy I am just too just to get to post anything. Things should start to slow down over the next couple of weeks so I should be around more then. I hope everyone has a good day.

4mongo

I love that second tank picture, very well done. Also, thanks for describing the way you put the biggest rock safely in the tank.