Where to get cheap rocks?

[mivec1997]

Hi guys,

I am planning to work on a new setup with lava rocks and smooth grey rocks. I intend to have a lava rock wall on 3 sides of a 4ft x 2ft x 2ft tank with smooth grey rocks in the middle.

I'm wondering whether does anyone knows where is a good place to buy cheap rocks?
Those I saw in LFS and farms are going for minimum $4/kg which is pretty expensive when I am going to purchase quite a fair amount.
Anyone willing to share your secret hunting ground?

[VSGenesis]

at that price, that's considered cheap already. any cheaper, later uncle give cement. if you're gonna take a large order why dont you ask the lfs directly? i think they wouldnt mind giving a bit of discount.
mivec: "uncle i take 200kg of that grey rock, discount a bit lei'
uncle: "$4/kg so 200kg...$800.00...okay okay young man, I give you special price....seven hundred ninety nine and fifty cents. Ah I give you good offer"
mivec: "-_-''

good luck. =)

[mivec1997]

at that price, that's considered cheap already. any cheaper, later uncle give cement. if you're gonna take a large order why dont you ask the lfs directly? i think they wouldnt mind giving a bit of discount.
mivec: "uncle i take 200kg of that grey rock, discount a bit lei'
uncle: "$4/kg so 200kg...$800.00...okay okay young man, I give you special price....seven hundred ninety nine and fifty cents. Ah I give you good offer"
mivec: "-_-''

good luck. =)

Haha 50cents not even enough for me to buy a cup of kopi o

[wongce]

Hard to find cheap and good unless you buy in bulk as per what VSGenesis mentioned... we searched high and low for good rocks...haha but pricing wise i can say similar across lfs except for few high end shops(nice rocks)

[felix_fx2]

Pay more get more sadly.
Any cheaper then LFS and your ideas will be pointing to man-made rocks. (Which is not very cheap nor easy to do also)

Even i also spent more then $100 bucks on rocks.

[mivec1997]

I was toying with DIY rocks but I don't wish to take the risk of my livestock that's why I drop the idea and go for real rocks instead.
I might need like 30-50kgs which will be pretty costly if I buy from lfs.

[Shadow]

Vietnam very cheap, US$100 for 1 ton , minimum buy 10 tons

[mivec1997]

Vietnam very cheap, US$100 for 1 ton , minimum buy 10 tons

Haha I wish i could but I cant. I dont stay in a warehouse, I stay in a flat.

[AQMS]

10 tons can bulid HDB lah bro....
Ka!ka!ka!

[mincedmeat]

Instead of stacking rocks on top of each other, why don't you try to build a boxed shaped support for you to put the rocks on. The support can then be hidden by the rocks or plants that you would put on it.

[mivec1997]

Instead of stacking rocks on top of each other, why don't you try to build a boxed shaped support for you to put the rocks on. The support can then be hidden by the rocks or plants that you would put on it.

This idea did came across my mind but I was advised against it as firstly it will/might create dead spot and water will not flow through and secondly if the boxed structure is not strong enough, it will collapsed over time.
I seldom change my scape therefore I intend to make it last for....maybe at least 3-4 years. That is why I am looking for something that is natural and lasting. Thus the stacking of rocks are my only options

[mincedmeat]

Hmm, but if you don't stack them properly you would still get dead spots. Maybe you can try to look for a solid block instead and then place it in the tank so that it acts a good support for the rocks as well as to prevent dead spots from forming up.

[mivec1997]

Hmm, but if you don't stack them properly you would still get dead spots. Maybe you can try to look for a solid block instead and then place it in the tank so that it acts a good support for the rocks as well as to prevent dead spots from forming up.

Hmmm placing solid blocks I will still need to stack rocks around it to cover them as I do not intend to have any big plants in the water.

[mincedmeat]

IMHO, I don't suppose you can have everything you want in the real world. For the lack of resources, hence my suggestion having a solid block coupled with strategically placed rocks tied on with propbably ferns and nanas would cover up the block. If you have a space between the rock crevices and where possible, you could throw in plant soil and put in a couple of bucheplandra.This would save you costs as well as to hide the supposedly ugly block.

Just my 2cents on this

[mivec1997]

IMHO, I don't suppose you can have everything you want in the real world. For the lack of resources, hence my suggestion having a solid block coupled with strategically placed rocks tied on with propbably ferns and nanas would cover up the block. If you have a space between the rock crevices and where possible, you could throw in plant soil and put in a couple of bucheplandra.This would save you costs as well as to hide the supposedly ugly block.

Just my 2cents on this

Haha ya but lets see what I can find this weekend before I move over to your suggestion.

[qngwn]

You can try mainland tropical fish farm at pasir ris.
they sell at $3/kg

[mivec1997]

You can try mainland tropical fish farm at pasir ris.
they sell at $3/kg

Thanks qngwn! Might pop by this weekend to have a look.