Boulders Or Ocean Rock

[angelmouse]

In planning and purchasing stage of a mbuna setup and can't make up my mind wether to go for boulders/cobbles or ocean rock. I like the look of ocean rock when its first added to the tank, just concerned that within months it will be very green/brown looking from algae or waste, is this the case as the surface of the rock doesn't look easy to clean and looks pourous. What are your experiences and what would you recommend. and do you silicone your rocks together.
Advice appreciated
Angel

 

[chishnfips]

personally I think the ocean rock with the algae on it looks more natural, I like it

 

[knight]

deffo agree with the ocean rock looks so natural in the tank. i spent ages in my lfs looking through all the bits of ocean rock until i found the bits i liked. i must admit i did get a few funny looks of people.

 

[The-Wolf]

ocean rock.
the algae will be controlled by the Africans that graze on algae

 

[dthoffsett]

I personally prefer cobbles/boulders, but I agree with everyone else that any rocks look more natural with a coating of algae.

No I don't silicone my rocks together, WAY to much trouble (I have 140lbs of rock), besides, I like to change things around on occasion. Just set you rocks up outside of the tank and make sure the pieces "fit" together to make a stable structure.

If you haven't already looked at our members tank profiles, check it out for ideas.
http/www.fishforums.net/Members-African-...ks-t169788.html

 

[angelmouse]

Thanks for replys, i will have alook in members tank section, i suppose ocean rock is the more expensive option too.
Angel

 

[mark7616]

Ocean rock is not at all natural in a mbuna tank. If you want to go with a natural looking mbuna tank then you need boulders have a look at these dive pics from lake malawi.

http/www.malawicichlidhomepage.com/aquai..._malawi_04.html

edit my malawi tank with boulders.

 

[DiscusAngel]

Ocean rock is not at all natural in a mbuna tank. If you want to go with a natural looking mbuna tank then you need boulders.

i 100% agree

 

[jayjay]

I prefer the look of boulders over ocean rock, but the holes in ocean rock would help fry survive if you wanted them.

 

[MojoDex]

Ocean rock is not at all natural in a mbuna tank. If you want to go with a natural looking mbuna tank then you need boulders have a look at these dive pics from lake malawi.

http/www.malawicichlidhomepage.com/aquai..._malawi_04.html

the rocks in that link look more like lava rock than smooth boulders IMO

 

[chishnfips]

which ever you decide its up to your own preference, both will look nice in the tank and serve the purpose well. boulders look ace set up right, like marks tank, and ocean roock looks the business too.