Using large rocks in fish tanks opinions

Question:
 My MIL is bring our fish tank stand on Friday (its amazing I saw it this past weekend). I am trying to get the tank all set up now. She suggests instead of using those gravel in the bottom of the tank to use larger rocks. She has her tank all setup this way adn its such a natural looking amazing tank, she has a huge tank though and mines a small 10 gallon, Is there anyone else who uses rocks instead of gravel? The fish wont be comming for probably another week want to let the tank have time to cycle and all first.


Answer:
 I like to use those smooth glass rocks, i don't know how else to explain it so i'll just attach a pic. But I agree, rocks are a ton easier to clean! I just have to give them a good rub down with a cloth under warm water, and it really does look awesome. Those are only good if you're not getting a gigantic tank that's bigger than your whole family though. Otherwise you'd spend way too much buying those rocks.
Big rocks are also way awesome, but i've only ever used those for my tank when I had turtles. They really do look super awesome. The natural look is something you can't scoff at, plus I have this crazy idea that it makes the fish feel happier lol. Don't forget pictures!!


Answer:
 Those rocks are much cheaper at the dollar store as opposed to buying them at a pet store.
Cycling should take at least two weeks. Here's a link.
http://www.tomgriffin.com/aquamag/cycling.html


Answer:
 Thanks I actually went out and gathered up larger rocks from outside, scrubbed them down good and have them drying before putting them in. Candice were going to let ours cylce for about a week in my tank as my mil is actually brining water from her tank for me to put in my tank so im not starting out with totally fresh water. Ill check out the link though. Thanks, Im getting guppies (I guess thats what they are lol) from her tank as well, I do need to go out and get one of those alge eatter guys.


Answer:
 OH and im pretty new at this but my MIL has had a tank gong since before my hubby was born so shes a pro so shes basically taking me through the whole process, were going friday to get the heater I need, she gave me a filter she had as she upgraded to a better one.
Ill deffintly share pics once the tank stands here, the water's cycled and we have fishies living here, I dont know how many fish were getting or what ones except there comming from grandma's tank , the kids have them picked out and my mil can tell the diffrence in which ones the kids have picked out so shes gong to bring those down when its time to add them.


Answer:
 Christy,,,you might wanna boil the rocks before putting them in,,,it will kill anything on them,,,,we boil our tank stuff on a reg basis,,and if we add anything to our tanks from outdorrs and petstores we always boil it
I cant wait to see pics of it, the big rocks are awesome, we have sand and huge pieces of driftwood in ours, our tanks are very natural looking,,,,,


Answer:
 Thanks Brandy ill have to get them boiled in a bit then I know I had them in scalding hot water but didnt think to boil them, HMM wonder if I should tell the kids I boiled rocks today when they ask how my day was lol.


Answer:
 I agree with Brandy, definately boil them first to get rid of anything that might contaminate your tank. I use bigger gravel about half the size of a quarter and they are all different shades of brown like the gravel you find in a riverbed.
When you are cleaning you tank, just be careful not to clean the filter or the gravel TOO much, that will kill your biofilter once it's been established, especially if you have lots of fish in your tank. I don't scrub anything in my tank after it's been sterilised and been in there for a while, I mostly try to siphon out as much of the poop and solid waste as possible when cleaning after stirring up the gravel. Also, the box that filter replacement sponges come in will tell you to change the sponge every few months, doing that will also kill your biofilter. All you need to do is rinse out the sponge in some old tank water when you are doing a water change to get rid of the solid gunk on the sponge and then put it back in your filter. The sponge provides an area for bacteria to grow that will keep your tank clean.
What kind of filtration system is your MIL going to set up for you? Guppies are really pretty fish, I think your girls will love them


Answer:
 Diana,
UM I dont know lol Its a large filter with a sponge type thing that the water is sucked up into and then it flows back into the tank in what looks like a waterfall LOL , see im fish illeterate lol.
We love to watch the fish in her tank but she put STRICT instructions on the girls there not getting HER fancy tailed one lol. She said she might get them one after our tanks up and running well. They all ready have there fish named and went to viist them last weekend when we went up there, my girls are nutty lol.


Answer:
 Originally Posted by Candycane
Those rocks are much cheaper at the dollar store as opposed to buying them at a pet store.
Haha, that's totally where I get mine too You can't beat the dollar store for some of your pet stuff. I get pocky's wooden spoons from the pet stores because they sell bamboo ones in three different sizes, and he loves how noisy they are when he chews them. That and they're tough as nails so he doesn't go through them like a saw blade.