Gravel To Get Started

[jeffm1000]

I called petco to see if they would donate some gravel to help get my tank started. They don't do it and don't advise. According to the person I spoke with the gravel could possibly include other things that might cause problems. A local place called family pet and aquaics will donate. Should I go get some?

 

[Pheonix]

as long as you can verify the gravel is from a good source its fine!!
you dont want any thats come from a tank that had a disease or nething like that eg whitespot as it can hang around in the gravel.

verify its from a good tank and youll be fine

 

[jeffm1000]

Thanks for the lightning fast reply. Didn't make it back from getting coffee and already have an answer! I'll head down and get some shortly.

Hopefully this will help things out.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

if your wanting it to help cycle your tank it's best to get some mature filter media, here is a list of TFF members willing to donate, have a look for someone near you, would be much better than gravel.

 

[Gankutsuou]

gravel could contain bad things?

Not unless you're doing salt water and getting a certain kind of "chance" gravel that has stuff come out. Kinda like Live rock.

 

[jeffm1000]

if your wanting it to help cycle your tank it's best to get some mature filter media, here is a list of TFF members willing to donate, have a look for someone near you, would be much better than gravel.

Scratch that idea, seems they are more interested in selling me "cycle". He thought I wanted to get enough gravel to fill a 30 gallon tank. According to the manager it's best to use Cycle and it's worked for them for 16 years. I'm sure it has but he's clearly missing the point or it's more important to make a sale. Moving on to a different lfs.

 

[Gankutsuou]

THE worst local fish store I have is Petco.

The second worst is petsmart.

Then the third worst is a different petco.

I'm lucky to have things around like exotic aquatics, plano pets, fish city, Aquatic Designs, and Dallas North Aquarium

 

[Spinal]

Where abouts in the world are you? I might be able to donate some fine gravel from my tank (3mm gravel roughly). Not much, but definetly about a bowlfull...

Michele

 

[jeffm1000]

I'm in Merrimack NH. For a donation, wouldn't we have to be very close to make it work? Sorry, I'm new here.

Where abouts in the world are you? I might be able to donate some fine gravel from my tank (3mm gravel roughly). Not much, but definetly about a bowlfull...

Michele

 

[Spinal]

I'm in Merrimack NH. For a donation, wouldn't we have to be very close to make it work? Sorry, I'm new here.

Where abouts in the world are you? I might be able to donate some fine gravel from my tank (3mm gravel roughly). Not much, but definetly about a bowlfull...

Michele

Yes, we would have to be VERY close... like driving distance at most (the gravel should live for 30 mins in a a tub of water with a O2 pill shoved in... That said, I'm in the UK

Try the TFF media donors list, you might find someone willing to donate gravel instead of filter media

Michele

 

[jeffm1000]

THank you for the offer. I checked the donor list but there is nobody close to me in New Hampshire. I'll be on the donor list as soon as I am able to provide media. Looks like I'll be doing it the old fassioned way unless I run into someone local. Is "Cycle" worth a try since I am cycling with fish or should I just let nature take it's course?

 

[voo]

I dont think gravel would be that effective. I think you'd be much better asking if they could donate some media from their filters. That's where most of the bacteria hang out. Remember if they do, keep it in water and get it home in the tank(filter) asap. If it's not the same filter media you use, you can put your media in the bag it came in, give the old one a good squeeze and rinse the new media in it, rub it against the old one etc, to try get as much bacteria transferred to your new media as possible.

As for cycle, save your money. It doesnt really do much.

 

[Torrean]

I've heard good things about bio spira

 

[Spinal]

I dont think gravel would be that effective. I think you'd be much better asking if they could donate some media from their filters. That's where most of the bacteria hang out. Remember if they do, keep it in water and get it home in the tank(filter) asap. If it's not the same filter media you use, you can put your media in the bag it came in, give the old one a good squeeze and rinse the new media in it, rub it against the old one etc, to try get as much bacteria transferred to your new media as possible.

As for cycle, save your money. It doesnt really do much.

Gravel with an internal/external filter wouldn't be. But established gravel with an under-gravel filter is quite effective. Also, if you have a larger filter (like one of the eheim classics) you can pop some of the ggravel instead of the lowest sponge.

Michele