Gravel/sand Substrate ?

[Cocomojo]

Like the noob I am, I got the larger rock/gravel you get in bags at your local pet shops to use as the bottom substrate. What kind of sand/gravel do you get and where do you normally find it? I cannot find anything in any of the pet shops. Would like something to put in half the tank, so that the loaches would be able to dig through without hurting themselves, but not have to completely redo the tank lol. In middle of cycling it for first time, so not gonna worry about bothering the fish, as there is only 1 lonely Tiger Barb.. who hates all other fish but him.

 

[mooey65]

In the UK its ARGOS playsand most of us use.

Get it here its cheap too

Can you not rehome your barb for now?

 

[mixmaster jay]

i personally wouldn't use grael from diy shops as they can contain lime in them which is harmfull to fish sand is a better option as all the fish muck stays on the top so its easier to clean playpit sand from argos is cheap and is fine for aquaria do not use any builders sands as they contain additives for building

hope this helps you

 

[Cocomojo]

Barb is most likely going to find a permanent rehome.. he really gave me a distaste for them

Didn't think play sand would work that well lol. Had it in my head that it would clump together too much and not be any good for fishies to burrow through.

How big of deal would it be to disrupt so much substrate in a newly cycled/cycling tank.

 

[Fisses]

any lfs should stock sand substrate but it will be a bit more expensive, but i paid it for anyway and my sand looks ace, just make sure its thoroughly washed before you add it

 

[OldMan47]

Most DIY places carry children's play sand that would work. Another common selection is pool filter sand. If you want gravel it will largely depend on your location. Because of the weight involved, gravel does not get shipped very far so what you get in a bag of fine gravel will depend more on what local quarries are mining than on brand names.
I like to use a fine gravel / coarse sand as a substrate and have started to use the El Natural approach that has both potting soil and a cover layer of fine gravel as the substrate for a well lit planted tank. I am in the middle of setting one up now and will make a trip to my local builder's supply shop mthsi afternoon to see what they have to offer in the way of sand or gravel. The last 3 tanks got some "bedding sand" as the substrate. It is sandy gravel meant to be used to set patio paving blocks in place rather than have them directly on the dirt. The stuff was filthy and took lots of rinsing but gave a nice sandy bottom for some cories I was setting up to breed. It was finer than what I want right now for my new El Natural.