PlanetCatfish.com

I have been looking for a source of slate for Pleco caves. All I have been able to find is the big heavy slate floor tiles. I’d like to find slate that’s half the thickness of the floor tiles. If anyone can point me in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

If you soak the slate tile in water overnight then hit it edgewise with a bolster (chisel like tool) & hammer it will split along the natural layers. That's the best way to remove the unnatural smooth slate surfaces too.

Cool....thanks for the info, I will try that this weekend.

Slate pleco caves originated in countries that use slate as a natural roofing material. I remember hearing about it for the first time when a famous German speaker gave the first talk about it in the UK in the 90s - he didn't know the English word for slate but explained it as the fact it was the grey stone used on roofs.

Not sure much of this in the US. However, if you search for slate roofing you might find something. Or head over here, I have half a tonne of spares in the garden.


Jools

Finding old slate roofing tiles on the west coast is not that easy. That said, there are several online vendors that sell used tiles. I even saw several E Bay postings offering used tiles for sale.
-Shane

Jools wrote: 12 Mar 2022, 10:35 I have half a tonne of spares in the garden.
Jools

You can use almost any tile if you can't find slate. Some of the outdoor or non slip ceramic tiles (they have several classes of roughness) are good.