Slate tiles from Lowes

[BallAquatics]

I needed to make some hiding spots in a tank and after looking at some ready made items and the prices, I decided to get some slate tiles at Lowes.  For ten 12" x 12" natural slate tiles it cost $15.00.  After breaking up some pieces, they look like they are going to work great.





With a piece of slate behind the stacked pieces they make perfect little caves.  I've got some soaking in an empty, (of fish), tank at the moment.  They don't appear to have anything on them except for some slate dust which rinses right off.

Dennis

[ilroost]

let me know if this works out. I have been needing some more slate, but was afraid that they used something in them that was harmful to fish

[Mugwump]

Some local quarries, and gravel pits, will let you load up on gravel and flat rock pretty cheap too..

[BillT]

I have gotten scraps of rock or synthetic rock-like counter materials from recycling bins at some local counter (as in kitchen counter) making businesses.
Not all natural looking lke dennis's smashed up slate but cheap, rock-like, food grade, and free.

[PaulineMi]

Some trivia....we have a city in southeast Michigan named Flat Rock.

[BallAquatics]

What other rock towns are up there.....  Flint... Rockford...  You folks just love your geology.  lol lol

Dennis

[Ron Sower]

This is timely...!  I just finished making a set of ''caves'' similar to that to go in one of the school tanks.  It's got Af Cichs in it.  I used silicon to stack them and keep them together!  I have some flagstones that I'm going to take a hammer to and do te same for my clown loach tank.

Nice touch Denis!

[BallAquatics]

Thanks Ron!  I was thinking I'd just stack mine without gluing them together with silicon.  With the nice flat surfaces they seem to be very stable.  I'd like to be able to rearrange them and take them apart for cleaning.  I've seen some photos where they stack slate using pleco caves in between layers too.  Looks pretty cool.

Dennis

[Barb]

And I can make those pleco caves to fit in between layers of slate!
Barb

[BallAquatics]

And I can make those pleco caves to fit in between layers of slate!

As soon as I figure out the size caves I want I'll be in touch Barb!

Dennis

[Mugwump]

I love watching a plan come together.......

[Jdmcfast]

I have used those tiles for breeding slates also they will cut them to size in the store for free

[Barb]

And I can make those pleco caves to fit in between layers of slate!

As soon as I figure out the size caves I want I'll be in touch Barb!

Dennis

Thanks Dennis, anytime!
Barb

[Ron Sower]

Dennis, I siliconed them together because they went in a Malawi Cichlid tank and when they dig, rocks can fall.  Prior to glueing them together in the past they have pinned fish beneath and led to their deaths.  Also they could fall over and crack a tank's glass.

I've also siliconed pieces of driftwood together to make a larger piece to fit in a certain place in a tank.

[BallAquatics]

I siliconed them together because they went in a Malawi Cichlid tank.....

I completely understand Ron, damn cichlids!  LOL LOL LOL  I loved them dearly for 30 years and then just got tired of them one day.  I had thought I would 'glue' mine together too, but after playing around with them a bit, I think they will be OK without the silicone.  .....no cichlids in sight   

Dennis