Lake Malawi Species • What rocks to use?

[timmcg1011]

Curious to know if using rocks/bricks/slate from a Home Depot to build up more structure in my cichlid tank would be risky or ok?
Every rock in my tank now was purchased at a fish store, but they're usually over-priced. Would rocks from a Home Depot type place be ok to use? Anything I should avoid?

[DJRansome]

I do not like flat rocks so I never find the right size at Home Depot. Got to a land scape supplier. Choose rocks that are fist-sized up to head-sized.

[Kipnlilo]

Not sure if they have them in your neck of the woods, but I get mine really cheap from Market Basket. They have a good selection.

[GuitarShark]

I always use caribsea rocks over rocks from Home Depot. The provide good hiding places. Some people don’t like driftwood but I have it and it works great and is a good option as well. I only get my rocks from fish stores because they help with ph and my Mbunas love them.

[BillD]

I get all mine from the shore of Lake Ontario. Huge variety, of type, colour, and size, and all worn nice and smooth with no sharp edges.

[DJRansome]

Agree smooth edges are an advantage over the holey-rock type I have seen from CaribSea. CaribSea probably cost more as well than a landscape supplier. But both can work.

[Tenring]

I am using lace rock from some of the LFS, not cheap but I like it. I am sure the fish would appreciate something a little smoother though.

[timmcg1011]

If I were to collect rocks from a local river and boil them, would that pose any potential risk to my tank? They're pretty huge and very smooth. Boiling them should kill any potential pathogens, algae, bacteria. This should be safe, no?

[DJRansome]

As long as it is legal to take them (some states/locations regulate this) they are risk free with 2 treatments.

One...scrub them with hot water and a brush. No need to burn your hands with the temp, this is more to get off debris that will not come off otherwise.

Two...bake them in the hot sun until they are bone dry. This is what really kills organisms that have been living in the water.