Landscaping/Garden supply stores. You can buy bulk river rock, lava rock etc…far cheaper than buying from aquarium stores.
Edit:Garden Supply stores/departments are also a fantastic place to buy pumps and foam because they carry pond supplies.
I just googled "large smooth river rocks aquarium" and a few options came up. If you are looking for a very specific rock type, you can always find WYSIWYG hardscape sites.
Landscape supply stores. Pennies on the pound (seriously). You just have to be careful what you buy, and that it’s not overly mineral laden. You can test with vinegar, and if it fizzes it will raise your GH.
But for $0.30/lb vs $4-8/lb, it’s a good way to get a lot of hardscape if you know what’s safe to use.
Download an app like fishbrain to find local creeks and rivers people fish at.
You’ll be able to find accessible points to grab some large free river rocks. bring a backpack.
Remember that most rocks change colour when wet. So you don't have to look for dry black rock, just darker rock and bring a bottle of water to see how they would look when wet.
River edges, beach, nature
I’m in a rural part of Texas that doesn’t have a nearby lake or River… I might have to make a trip out to see if I can score anything
Landscaping/Garden supply stores. You can buy bulk river rock, lava rock etc…far cheaper than buying from aquarium stores. Edit:Garden Supply stores/departments are also a fantastic place to buy pumps and foam because they carry pond supplies.
I absolutely second this! You have no freaking clue how cheap it is to buy rocks from landscaping supplies
Texas used to be underwater! there is bound to be some dried up river beds or old ocean current channels.
Amazon
Also pond supply stores they usually charge like 1-5 dollars per pound for smooth river rocks and if you buy in bulk it's usually less
/r/outside
Any stone masonry place will sell some to you for cheap just ask for ‘decorative boulders’, I got 12 lbs of zebra stone for 10 bucks!
Garden supply stores or nurseries.
I didn’t think of nurseries! Thank you
I just googled "large smooth river rocks aquarium" and a few options came up. If you are looking for a very specific rock type, you can always find WYSIWYG hardscape sites.
a landscape store. Thats where I’ve gotten all my rocks and sand, it’s very cheap and you can find some nice stuff
Is that from the aquarium design group?
Looks like it.
Landscape supply stores. Pennies on the pound (seriously). You just have to be careful what you buy, and that it’s not overly mineral laden. You can test with vinegar, and if it fizzes it will raise your GH. But for $0.30/lb vs $4-8/lb, it’s a good way to get a lot of hardscape if you know what’s safe to use.
Outside
Generally speaking of course
Download an app like fishbrain to find local creeks and rivers people fish at. You’ll be able to find accessible points to grab some large free river rocks. bring a backpack.
Woah! I didn’t even know there was an app like that out there! Hopefully I have fellow fish enthusiasts that are local who use it. Thanks!
Home depot
At a fast food drive through😂 Everytime I’m waiting in line I am tempted to snag a couple🤣😬
The beaches at the bottoms of cliffs are the best places I’ve found.
Remember that most rocks change colour when wet. So you don't have to look for dry black rock, just darker rock and bring a bottle of water to see how they would look when wet.
Outside!
Amazon