Local sources for stone (Chicago)

[larcat]

Hi!

Anyone have any suggestions on where they buy stone for aquariums locally? None of the LFS has particularly good selection, and $$$.

Any landscaping yards any of you use that had stone you liked?

[DogFish]

Could you narrow that search a bit, type of rock(s)?

[shinycard255]

You could go for a nature walk and find some nice free rocks. It's what I do

[etbarry]

landscape supply shops have most anything you'd want.

[zenche]

i didn't have much success finding places in the city proper. maybe out in the burbs though.

[etbarry]

I live out by aurora and there are some good ones out this way. Like dogfish said tho I guess it depends what stone your looking for.

[~Volatile~]

Where out in near Aurora are there good places to find stones?

[Razorworm]

Larcat, are you looking for rocks or gravel?
If rocks, what kind?

[larcat]

Originally Posted by Razorworm

Larcat, are you looking for rocks or gravel?
If rocks, what kind?

Rocks. I'm pulling a bunch of plants from my 7.5 gallon cube soon to put in my 55, and am planning on converting the 7.5 to an iwagumi for a variety of reasons. Looking for stones that have that "craggy weathered" appearance, but have no interest in paying out the nose for cleverly branded rocks from overseas.

[larcat]

Originally Posted by DogFish

Could you narrow that search a bit, type of rock(s)?

See post above.

Thanks for the MTS btw!

[muntwo]

Originally Posted by larcat

... no interest in paying out the nose for cleverly branded rocks from overseas.

so true

[DogFish]

So like fist size to softball size?

[larcat]

Yeah, in that range of size.

Originally Posted by DogFish

So like fist size to softball size?

[zenche]

this might be too spency for you...but Old Town Aquarium has some decent selection rocks, usually $3/lb i think...can call to check. beats paying that amount here on SNS and having to pay shipping on top of that.

[Bahugo]

I would go too a rock yard. pretty sure the rock I got from the landscaping yard is what you are looking for. I got bluestone (go by the bolder section and pick up the smaller sized rocks), looks nearly identical too ADA's "Yamayama stone" http://www.adgshop.com/product_p/yamaya.htm

I forget the price they quoted me but it was like 10 cents a pound, and they gave me it for free because the guy working said "these are too small for us too use on jobs anyways" or something along those terms.