I want to set up an African rocky lake with my 10-gallon. The only problem is, I don't know how much weight the bottom of the tank can hold. I have it on a solid oak stand (not a lip-only, but solid) and I don't want to crack the glass by putting in rocks that are too heavy. I've got 2 inches of silver sand laid down, but how many pounds of rocks can I set in my tank without the bottom cracking from the stress?
2007-04-02 05:00:41 · 7 answers · asked by kaifyre 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
Another options you have are tank pads. If you feel the frame of your aquarium will not hold the weight of the rocks and is used when heavy substraight is used, a tank pad beneath the tank will help. The solid oak stank will be fine for the weight all around.
2007-04-02 09:39:37 · answer #1 · answered by danielle Z 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Make sure that the whole bottom of the tank is supported by a solid piece of furnature. Tanks are VERY heavy. With water over 8lbs a gallon, plus rocks and sand, the average weight of a tank is 11 lbs per gallon. Those suckers are HEAVY that is also why you want to make sure that it is extremely secure if you have kids. As for a max weight of rocks, you should not get carried away, A max weight should be 10 lbs of show rocks, keep in mind that you can get other things like, roots and wood to decorate that will make it a little lighter and safer, also look for some fake rocks. Now a days the decorations for Fish tanks are VERY real looking and you would not know the difference between real and fake.
To be safe, when ever you move a tank, you will want to remove all water that you can, then remove all decorations and only leave in 1/2 an inch of sand and water. You need to be very careful when you move the tank, you do not want to crack the bottom.
2007-04-02 12:10:17 · answer #2 · answered by Rocka 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I think Ghapy is the one who's addressed the potential problem here.
Don't worry about the rock your tank can hold. I've stored gravel in spare tanks, filled to the top, so weight's not a problem. BTW, and large rocks should sit on the bottom, not on sand - it will keep fish from shifting the rock if they decide to do any sand rearranging. You can sit the rockson a pad as Danielle Z said to spread the weight of the rock if you're really worried about cracking the bottom glass.
A ten gallon tank isn't large enough if you are intending to keep lake cichlids - unless you intend to use the tank for growing out a few fry.
2007-04-05 22:09:14 · answer #3 · answered by copperhead 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can keep as many rocks as the tank will hold and it won't be a problem, these tanks are built strong. As an African cichlid keeper for years I've had enormous amounts of rocks without issues. If you are planning on keeping fish that dig it is very important to lay the rocks on the bottom of the tank, not on top of the substrate, that way the fish can't undermine them and cause a collapse.
By 'African rocky lake' I really hope you don't mean to keep Malawi cichlids - this tank is much too small and you will not succeed past the first few months, when the fish will surely begin to fight (if not sooner).
2007-04-02 12:47:30 · answer #4 · answered by Ghapy 7 · 3⤊ 3⤋
It will hold what you want to do without any problem. As long as you add the rock after you place the tank and don't try to move it with lots of rock in it all will be just fine. I've crammed a lot of rock in tanks over the years and never had a problem with a tank failing due to weight.
MM
2007-04-02 12:05:51 · answer #5 · answered by magicman116 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
it'll hold more than u think. all 10 gal. of water. 1 lb. per gallon of water.
2007-04-02 12:28:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
put whatever in it make it stred
2007-04-02 12:18:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋