where to get slate?

bpm2000 · 03-08-2005, 12:05 AM

I bought a small piece of wood for my 10g, and I have boiled it and soaked it for a while now, and it refuses to sink. I think I am going to have to weigh it down. The actual orientation of the piece makes it so I would want a base anyways (it is shaped like a small stump, but I want the "roots" portion pointing upwards so all that would be buried would be the tapered upper portion).

Anyways, I need some kind of base to weigh it down and help secure it in the substrate. Slate seems like something used often, but I have no idea where to really get a small piece of slate for my purposes? Also, are there any other readily available alternatives to slate for the base?

thx

**BSS** · 03-08-2005, 01:16 AM

I purchased a slate piece from some driftwood at Home Depot a while back. I'm sure Lowe's and similar competitors would carry it as well. Use a masonry bit to put a small hole where desired, then screw it into the wood. You might even be able to get them to score it and cut it to your desired size...though I didn't do that.

ZeeSparrow · 03-08-2005, 01:32 AM

Old tupperware lids, with a couple holes drilled in and tied on.

New 2 fish · 03-08-2005, 01:36 AM

I work in Slatington, PA which was the slate capitol of the country. Anyways, there is slate everywhere here- parking lots, roadsides..... what size piece do you need? I could ship you one using those usps flat rate boxes. PM me and let me know.

Thanks · 03-08-2005, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeeSparrow

Old tupperware lids, with a couple holes drilled in and tied on.

yes. its much easier and works just as well as slate.

bpm2000 · 03-08-2005, 02:39 AM

Tupperware lids are heavy enough to weigh down wood and sink? You coulda fooled me! I'll check that out.

New 2 Fish: thx for the offer, I may take you up on it depending on how things go here.

Anal question: does it matter what kind of screw you use? Metal type, I mean - might change water chem, leach something?

Thanks · 03-08-2005, 02:55 AM

no, but when you bury them under gravel, the gravel on top holds the wood in place.

bpm2000 · 03-08-2005, 03:27 AM

This is the sound of me slapping my forehead.

thx, I'll definitely give it a try.

ddaquaria · 03-08-2005, 02:55 PM

Also, I use an old undergravel filter plate. I cut it to fit the section of the tank that I was planning to put it in, then attached it to the wood. After that covered it with gravel. This works a lot like the tuperware idea.

If you still want slate, I would check a local rock quarry or place to get outdoor flooring. There is a place by me that lets me get small rocks for pratically nothing. I paid $10 for a rock that I busted up that filled my 120 gallon.

**BSS** · 03-08-2005, 03:13 PM

I like the tupperware idea and will definitely try that the next time I have the need.

To answer the question about the screw type, when I did it, I did spring for the "expensive" stainless steel screws. I'm sure it cost me an extra 25 cents or so.

03-08-2005, 12:05 AM	#1
bpm2000 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (7/100%) Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Seattle,WA Posts: 250	where to get slate? I bought a small piece of wood for my 10g, and I have boiled it and soaked it for a while now, and it refuses to sink. I think I am going to have to weigh it down. The actual orientation of the piece makes it so I would want a base anyways (it is shaped like a small stump, but I want the "roots" portion pointing upwards so all that would be buried would be the tapered upper portion). Anyways, I need some kind of base to weigh it down and help secure it in the substrate. Slate seems like something used often, but I have no idea where to really get a small piece of slate for my purposes? Also, are there any other readily available alternatives to slate for the base? thx

03-08-2005, 01:16 AM	#2
BSS Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (12/100%) Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Oviedo, FL USA Posts: 1,600	I purchased a slate piece from some driftwood at Home Depot a while back. I'm sure Lowe's and similar competitors would carry it as well. Use a masonry bit to put a small hole where desired, then screw it into the wood. You might even be able to get them to score it and cut it to your desired size...though I didn't do that. __________________ 46g bf, XP3 w/ vertical spray bar, CO2 w/ SMS122 & diffuser,100% Flourite, 96w+55w cf AHS, AGA Member

03-08-2005, 01:36 AM	#4
New 2 fish Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (20/100%) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 474	I work in Slatington, PA which was the slate capitol of the country. Anyways, there is slate everywhere here- parking lots, roadsides..... what size piece do you need? I could ship you one using those usps flat rate boxes. PM me and let me know. __________________ 30g planted with cories, white clouds, Harlequin Rasboras ,ottos. 10g planted with glowlight tetras and an otto. Outdoor pond with one common goldfish and comets. 5.5g with endlers.

03-08-2005, 02:55 AM	#7
Thanks Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Princeton, NJ Posts: 829	no, but when you bury them under gravel, the gravel on top holds the wood in place. __________________ You're in my heart, you're in my soul, you'll be my breath should I grow old

03-08-2005, 03:27 AM	#8
bpm2000 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (7/100%) Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Seattle,WA Posts: 250	smack This is the sound of me slapping my forehead. thx, I'll definitely give it a try.

03-08-2005, 01:32 AM	#3
ZeeSparrow Newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3	Old tupperware lids, with a couple holes drilled in and tied on.

03-08-2005, 02:39 AM	#6
bpm2000 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (7/100%) Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Seattle,WA Posts: 250	Tupperware lids are heavy enough to weigh down wood and sink? You coulda fooled me! I'll check that out. New 2 Fish: thx for the offer, I may take you up on it depending on how things go here. Anal question: does it matter what kind of screw you use? Metal type, I mean - might change water chem, leach something?

03-08-2005, 02:55 PM	#9
ddaquaria Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 222	Also, I use an old undergravel filter plate. I cut it to fit the section of the tank that I was planning to put it in, then attached it to the wood. After that covered it with gravel. This works a lot like the tuperware idea. If you still want slate, I would check a local rock quarry or place to get outdoor flooring. There is a place by me that lets me get small rocks for pratically nothing. I paid $10 for a rock that I busted up that filled my 120 gallon. __________________ 46 Bow S.A. Community NEO 90 Petros ~ NEO 90 "Rio Negro" 120 Troph Mpulungu ~ 120 Troph Kambwimba Red Rainbow 120 Troph Brichardi Namansi Reef ~ 120 Troph Murago (Moba II) DSA 215 "Rio Orinoco"

03-08-2005, 03:13 PM	#10
BSS Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (12/100%) Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Oviedo, FL USA Posts: 1,600	I like the tupperware idea and will definitely try that the next time I have the need. To answer the question about the screw type, when I did it, I did spring for the "expensive" stainless steel screws. I'm sure it cost me an extra 25 cents or so. __________________ 46g bf, XP3 w/ vertical spray bar, CO2 w/ SMS122 & diffuser,100% Flourite, 96w+55w cf AHS, AGA Member

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