How Many Rocks Can A Tank Take?

[silverchild23]

Hi all

Sorry, this may sound like a donkey of a question, but when putting rocks into tanks - are there any precautions somebody should take in terms of weight?

I think I've got to grips with everything concerning the physical makeup and their effect on pH / kH etc. but I'm worried about the weight stress on my tank (and yet I see these beautiful rocky tanks all over this forum!).

I have a Juwel Rio 240L on a Juwel Wooden Stand. If I wanted to pile up a few big heavy rocks (safely and stable ofcourse), would the tank take it? Or are there things that need to be done first to stabalise the tank and stop the glass cracking?

(Me = v.paranoid )

 

[FrankSlapperinni]

I have never heard of any sort of limit or specifications pertaining to rock arrangements, but I have read the best thing to do in a an aquarium heavily adorned in stone is to place milk crate or egg crate grids along the bottom of the tank (preferably reaching from one wall to another) for the rocks to rest on. This helps distribute the weight. I would recommend against placing the rocks above the substrate as a substitute to distribute the weight, because the pile will become less stable than when rested on the glass or a grid. I know some people also place Styrofoam or other space filling objects underneath the glass of their tank, and perhaps this could be used to take the load off the glass. How big of rocks are we talking about?

 

[Miss Wiggle]

generally speaking tanks are strong enough to take a fair bit of weight, probably the best place to ask would be the african cichlid forum, those tanks have massive amounts of rockwork so they should be able to help you.

 

[silverchild23]

generally speaking tanks are strong enough to take a fair bit of weight, probably the best place to ask would be the african cichlid forum, those tanks have massive amounts of rockwork so they should be able to help you.

Ok thanks
I'll give them a go...

PS. nice avatar!