Cheap ways to decorate a tank?

[ChrisH]

Hi!

Appologies for asking soo many questions! I have just bought a 4ftx2ftx18inch tank because I now know that my fish will out grow the tank that they are in!

As a student I am trying to keep costs down, although doing the best things for the fish. I am looking for cheap alternatives for things to put in the tank to make caves etc. Is it possible to use rocks and stones that I have gathered, if they have been scrubbed and boiled?

Many Thanks!

 

[Inchworm]

Hi ChrisH

Rocks are a fine free resource to decorate a tank, but there are rocks to avoid. Here's a link with some good information about them:

http/www.uniquaria.com/articles/sr.html

I like to scrub my rocks using one of those cheap plastic scrubbing pads from the dollar store, to remove any surface dirt. I then boil them for 20 minutes or so and let them cool overnight. If any oily residue forms at the top of the water, I discard them.

 

[BlueIce]

Cheapest


collect wood at local waters

collect rocks where ever


silk plants bought in bulk at local dept stores or craft stores.


or

EBAY always excellent deals there on woods and plants.

test your rocks by pouring vinegar over them...if they bubble don't use them

 

[Sky042]

Garden centers will be your friend for rocks and such. my LFS charges like 3.99/lb for slate my local garden center sell slate for 0.20/lb

 

[vantgE]

my mbuna tank decor all free rocks and four dollars worth of sand

 

[kittybug]

pvc pipe can be used although im not sure if you need to do anything special to prepare it for your tank

 

[Mo99]

Hiya,
since you'd asked about caves, i find that broken terra-cota plant pots are teh best, and they look totally natural. and my rams think so too.

Mo