Cheap Gravels And Sands

Install · Dec 20, 2011

Hey all,
So I think it's universally accepted that some aquarium shops sell quite overpriced produce, and substrate is quite the killer. I know play sand can be used in aquaria with no safety issues, but I was wondering if people know of any alternatives for darker substrates? Black sand etc.

Thanks

Tizer · Dec 20, 2011

I purchased some matt black gloss paint from homebase and poured it into a 15kg bag of argos play sand mixed it up to create a perfectly black sandy substrate.

ZoddyZod · Dec 20, 2011

Tizer - matt black gloss what?

Tizer · Dec 20, 2011

paint mate, it works a charm!

sorry i edit post, lol

eaglesaquarium · Dec 20, 2011

Can you offer some more information on this Tizer? What are the ingredients in this paint? Is it water soluble? Will it wear off and foul the water?

What gave you this idea? :blink:

ZoddyZod · Dec 20, 2011

Hmmmm, interesting! I thought paint was full of nasty chemicals you wouldn't want anywhere near the inside of a tank

.......please tell us more!

Tizer · Dec 20, 2011

Its quite a hard process, but it has some interesting results. For my small fry tank i used some Tartan paint so the substrate looks very cool indeed.

Mr Spoon · Dec 20, 2011

HMmmmmmm tartan paint, I think I prefer stripey paint =~D

jimmy_veal · Dec 20, 2011

yeah tartan paint - a good one!

the_lock_man · Dec 20, 2011

Tizer said:
I purchased some matt black gloss paint from homebase and poured it into a 15kg bag of argos play sand mixed it up to create a perfectly black sandy substrate.

Tizer said:
paint mate, it works a charm!

sorry i edit post, lol

Tizer said:
Its quite a hard process, but it has some interesting results. For my small fry tank i used some Tartan paint so the substrate looks very cool indeed.

Bit tired are we?

ZoddyZod · Dec 20, 2011

Tizer said:
Its quite a hard process, but it has some interesting results. For my small fry tank i used some Tartan paint so the substrate looks very cool indeed.

ahhhh, so it's a wind up!