A Hobby of Rocks & Glass

1122 Views 11 Replies 9 Participants Last post by noddy, Feb 27, 2021

Smeagol

Discussion Starter · Feb 12, 2021

Considering the hefty rockscapes that are required for cichlids (especially mbuna), I'm wondering how common scratched glass is among cichlid enthusiasts. Be honest. How many of you have scratches on your tanks? And do you have any tricks for hiding them or covering them up?

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Auballagh

· #2 · Feb 12, 2021

C'mon now..... think about this.
Yes, initially you will be lifting, moving and arranging the rocks for your aquarium. They are heavy! Yes, REALLY Freaking heavy! And now, everything is new. 'Dewy Fresh'? it's awesome! Your new aquarium even SMELLS new! You are being careful.
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VERY CAREFUL, in fact.
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So careful in fact, that not even a single scratch is made in the side glass of your new aquarium. its nice! And the running days of this new aquarium blur gradually into the weeks of it's existence. And, the rocks just aren't moved.
Weeks, become months. And that enormously heavy rock pile? Just isn't moved.
YEARS later - that enormously, freaking heavy, OMG Rock Pile still sits - unmoved. And no rock from the Enormously Freaking Heavy Rock Pile - has EVER scratched the side glass of your aquarium! Yes. And though it seems unlikely now, as you labor under the weight of those OMG rocks, NOW...... that's is indeed, how it will one day be.
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What WILL scratch the side glass of your aquarium? It's when you will need to periodically scrub the algae built up on the glass, near the bottom. That is - near all of that beautiful sand substrate. BE CAREFUL!!!! That sand is very abrasive. And, if picked up by your algae scrubber? It WILL indeed, scratch the side glass of your very nice aquarium!

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DJRansome

· #3 · Feb 12, 2021

Auballagh said:
What WILL scratch the side glass of your aquarium? It's when you will need to periodically scrub the algae built up on the glass, near the bottom. That is - near all of that beautiful sand substrate. BE CAREFUL!!!! That sand is very abrasive. And, if picked up by your algae scrubber? It WILL indeed, scratch the side glass of your very nice aquarium!

Plus one. I have a scratch here or there on the glass. You can't really see them until algae accumulates. That is how I know the glass is clean...when the scratch is free of algae and becomes invisible.

I also do not have rocks leaning on or touching the glass.

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Idech

· #4 · Feb 12, 2021

I dropped a rock while I was rock scaping and it fell on the side glass. I was almost panicking but after I wiped the scratch there was barely anything left and I can't even find it now. The rock fell because I purposely decided on a risky move to fix something I had forgotten to do. All my fault.

Other than that, I hope to never move these rocks again but I might have to if fries survive as I have no room for more fish.

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Deeda

· #5 · Feb 12, 2021

I have had the same experience as the others. Any scratches I have on my tank is due to using an algae magnet type cleaner and getting some substrate trapped in the gadget and scratching the glass. I now use a single edge razor blade to clean the glass on the front of the tank mostly and use my finger to get in the corners of the tank to remove any accumulation of 'stuff'.

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Chrislisk

· #6 · Feb 12, 2021

I breed Demasoni cichlids and every time I see a female I empty my entire tank pretty much of rock to catch her.....and I have a lot of rock. I can say hand on heart I've never scratched or dropped a rock...and hope I never do. I take my time, I use both hands and I am very careful. It's part of these amazing fish and unfortunately you do have to be brave.

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Smeagol

Discussion Starter · #7 · Feb 13, 2021

Auballagh said:
Yes, initially you will be lifting, moving and arranging the rocks for your aquarium. They are heavy! ........ And, the rocks just aren't moved.
Weeks, become months. And that enormously heavy rock pile? Just isn't moved.
YEARS later - that enormously, freaking heavy, OMG Rock Pile still sits - unmoved. And no rock from the Enormously Freaking Heavy Rock Pile - has EVER scratched the side glass of your aquarium! Yes. And though it seems unlikely now, as you labor under the weight of those OMG rocks, NOW...... that's is indeed, how it will one day be.

DJRansome said:
set your expectations that you will have to remove the rocks from your tank from time-to-time...... (from a different thread)

opcorn:

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TROK4614

· #8 · Feb 13, 2021

Smeagol said:
Auballagh said:

Yes, initially you will be lifting, moving and arranging the rocks for your aquarium. They are heavy! ........ And, the rocks just aren't moved.
Weeks, become months. And that enormously heavy rock pile? Just isn't moved.
YEARS later - that enormously, freaking heavy, OMG Rock Pile still sits - unmoved. And no rock from the Enormously Freaking Heavy Rock Pile - has EVER scratched the side glass of your aquarium! Yes. And though it seems unlikely now, as you labor under the weight of those OMG rocks, NOW...... that's is indeed, how it will one day be.

Click to expand...

DJRansome said:

set your expectations that you will have to remove the rocks from your tank from time-to-time...... (from a different thread)

Click to expand...

opcorn:

IME once a tank hierarchy is established, the need to move rocks around is diminished. Of course the tank hierarchy can and will change over time which may require adjustments to décor to manage aggression and/or remove problem fish. And trying to put the rocks back exactly the way you had it is almost impossible! Pics help to replicate but still, it is always slightly different. Be prepared to move some rocks, just remember your working in a glass box.

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Swim_Shady

· #9 · Feb 13, 2021

I have to agree with all of the previous responses. I have never scratched a tank placing rocks. In tanks where sand is placed in prior to the rocks (NOT a good idea) the bottom pane will certainly be scratched.

Just be careful not to catch sand in your algae scrubber/scraper and you are golden. Now, get started and ENJOY the process. 8)

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Smeagol

Discussion Starter · #10 · Feb 27, 2021

Smeagol said:
Auballagh said:

Yes, initially you will be lifting, moving and arranging the rocks for your aquarium. They are heavy! ........ And, the rocks just aren't moved.
Weeks, become months. And that enormously heavy rock pile? Just isn't moved.
YEARS later - that enormously, freaking heavy, OMG Rock Pile still sits - unmoved. And no rock from the Enormously Freaking Heavy Rock Pile - has EVER scratched the side glass of your aquarium! Yes. And though it seems unlikely now, as you labor under the weight of those OMG rocks, NOW...... that's is indeed, how it will one day be.

Click to expand...

DJRansome said:

set your expectations that you will have to remove the rocks from your tank from time-to-time...... (from a different thread)

Click to expand...

opcorn:

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noddy

· #11 · Feb 27, 2021

The front panel of my large tank is full of scratches, thanks mostly to using an algae magnet with playsand.
You live and you learn.
Not an issue though from a distance unless algae starts to grow in the scratches.

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noddy

· #12 · Feb 27, 2021

Smeagol said:
Smeagol said:

Auballagh said:

Yes, initially you will be lifting, moving and arranging the rocks for your aquarium. They are heavy! ........ And, the rocks just aren't moved.
Weeks, become months. And that enormously heavy rock pile? Just isn't moved.
YEARS later - that enormously, freaking heavy, OMG Rock Pile still sits - unmoved. And no rock from the Enormously Freaking Heavy Rock Pile - has EVER scratched the side glass of your aquarium! Yes. And though it seems unlikely now, as you labor under the weight of those OMG rocks, NOW...... that's is indeed, how it will one day be.

Click to expand...

DJRansome said:

set your expectations that you will have to remove the rocks from your tank from time-to-time...... (from a different thread)

Click to expand...

opcorn:

Click to expand...

I'll answer this. I move my rocks around from time to time. Not that often because they are huge and weigh a ton.
But if I decide to stop keeping sandsifters/featherfins and start keeping something else, I will be moving rocks.
Matter of fact, once my male Foai become sexually mature I will have no choice but to move rocks.

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