What is the best type of rock to use in an African Cichlid tank?

Question

I know crushed coral is a good substrate to use for increasing the PH, but I'm not sure what rocks to use to build some caves and hiding spots.

Also, what rocks would be good for a South American Cichlid tank? Since they like softer water than the Africans they would require different rocks, right?

Answer 1

i usually mix crushed coral in with a dark gravel. for the rock i like lava rock with holes in it or even better is lace rock. i think lace rock looks a lot more realistic and never really looks dirty.

bottom line is you can use whatever you want its up to you. if you're trying to keep things accurate and aquascape the tank with the fishes native decor i would just look up some info and try to mimic that. i'm sure its just going to be sand bottom and huge boulders though

Answer 2

Rocks containing calcium might be good for African Rift Lake fishes,maybe something like "Texas Holey Rock". I believe that it's old limestone that has had surface water percolating through it ,which produces holes and channels. Any stone that has a limestone base and is not too soluble in you tank water would be good. One last thought,since Rift Lake fishes are such enthusiastic diggers,be sure that your decorations are placed solidly on the bottom of the tank,so they can't be undermined,or the dreaded "slabbing" will result.(Fishes squashed by their own industry.)
For your South American(low pH) tanks any rock of Igneous origin that won't leach chemicals into the water should be OK. I'd avoid anything with a crystalline component,because they tend to dissolve more easily.

Answer 3

Really any type of granite will work. Avoid soft stones like limestone, and soapstone. They tend to leach out harmful impurities. There really is no curring of these types of stones. Just scrub them with a stiff Brush and rinse really well. You can boil them or give them a saltwater bath to kill any harmful bacteria. Shell stone will work good as well however be selective in the type. If it crumbles easy you don't want it. Shell will get brittle over time. So you want good solid pieces. It really doesn't matter which you use for what fish. Shell is easyier to stack then round stones but round stones will offer more hidding spaces. In any case just make sure that you use good solid base rock and place the sand around it. Cichlids will undermine rocks and cause them to tumble. Also if you plain on having live plants in the tank get them established first if you can. African Cicklids like to garden. So it helps if the plants are well rooted.

Good luck
PK

Answer 4

The type of rocks themselves don't quite matter that much. It can play a factor from time to time, but I think more importantly is that the rocks are cured before applying them to the tank is what I'd worry about. I can't think of any type of rock in particular that you'd want or need to use really. Like the answer above, I do use slate to enclose/cover the tops of the caves I make though and that does seem to help.

Answer 5

Try eBay. I ordered rock for my saltwater tank from an eBay seller and they were great. Add drift wood and plants too that would be cool and plants help filter out ammonia.

Answer 6

Slate is always one of my favorites to use, just be sure they're good and sturdy. Cichlids tend to like to "redecorate" lol.