Gravel

[pricey_avfc]

im gonna replace the gravel at the bottom of my tank soonish and i just wondered can i get any type of gravel or do i have to get it from a fish shop.

 

[Mor61e]

Get it from a fish shop and go for sand, it looks the best

 

[metfan581]

you don't but ypu have to clean it REALLY REALLY good if you don't
some gravel could:
make your water turn colors-cloudy,tan,yelow
fall apart
turn into clay

 

[Suz]

I use normal white gravel from the fish shop - some of the gravel though is going yellow - the water is fine though, anyone know the gravel would turn yellow?

 

[pricey_avfc]

was thinking from getting it from a building shop you know the small round pebbles that people have in their garden was then going to boil it before i put it in my tank i have a 28 gallon tank (3ft)

 

[Dubby]

was thinking from getting it from a building shop you know the small round pebbles that people have in their garden was then going to boil it before i put it in my tank i have a 28 gallon tank (3ft)

Gravel from builders is fine. Just make sure it does not have high calcium carbonate concentration as this can affect the water parameters.

A simple test is to use vinegar on it. If the gravel fizzes then dont use it in the aquarium.

 

[pricey_avfc]

lol been having a think now

what is better to clean sand or gravel

i can get gravel from builders or

playsand from b&q


mmm possibilites are endless

 

[@ombomb]

Well I suppose that sand is easier to clean as all the waste sits on top of the sand.

As such, sand can look messier for the same reason.

What fish do you have in the tank?

 

[Inchworm]

Hi pricey_avfc

Playsand takes a bit of work to clean when you first get it, but is easier to keep up in the long run. It also has the benefit of being inexpensive and safe for any kind of fish you might want to keep in your tank.

If you have, or might consider getting, cory cats or other bottom dwellers, it's well worth the time it takes in the beginning to clean it well.

 

[keane]

I use normal white gravel from the fish shop - some of the gravel though is going yellow - the water is fine though, anyone know the gravel would turn yellow?

algae growth

I have large white boulders in my malawi tank and they do the same

Luckily I can remove them without too much disruption and clean them, whereas you can't with your substrate (unless you were doing a complete tank overhaul).

steve

 

[Suz]

hi steve, thanks for the info!
No there is no chance i could clean it without causing disruptions to the tank!
Is there anything you can advise or will this just disppear and remain harmless?

 

[Dubby]

hi steve, thanks for the info!
No there is no chance i could clean it without causing disruptions to the tank!
Is there anything you can advise or will this just disppear and remain harmless?

The algae growth is harmless to fish. There are a couple of ways to clean this
- get Otos or similar algae eaters (as a longer term fix)
- take out the gravel in batches and replace with new gravel
- take out gravel in batches, dip in mild bleach, clean thoroughly in dechlor water and return to tank

Hope this helps.

 

[boxman]

I have to disagree with some of the comments on here, from experience, sand is definately not easier to clean than gravel.

My 14gal has sand and it's b**ch to clean, the only way I've found to save myself work is to take the fish out and ruthlessly syphon the sand, if I suck some up then I can just put it back after I've tipped the old water out and given it a bit of a swish in some hot water.


I haven't read all of the comments above but just incase nobody has mentioned this, don't just go and buy sand as chances are you will kill your fish. You have to get very specific sand for freshwater tropical tanks - inert sand. The best to get is 'silica sand' - this is pure white. Why inert - well it has 0 salt content so unless your going for a marine or brackish tank stick to inert.

Some hardware stores (B&Q) have playsand but I'm not keen on this as the ones I have seen don't state if it's inert or not. Silica is the best.

In my mind there are some nice kinds of sand and gravel out there, Tahitian moon sand (still have the cleaning issue), various gravel chipping sizes etc.... (DON'T GO FOR THAT CHEAP CRAPPY COLOURED GRAVEL AS IT WILL TURN YOUR WATER PINK OR BLACK ETC.)

Also there are issues with nitrogen bubble pockets from the sand apparently which means you need to give it a bit of a move every now and again. Also, filteration can be an issue - I have a Fluval 204 in the sand tank and I've got to raise the inlet pipe to 2.5 - 3" above the substrate rather than 1-1.5" in a gravel tank as obviously you will suck up sand - this is inevitable but if it's a bit higher up then that's less likely.

Sand does look superb (for about 20 minutes if you've got mollies which poop everywhere!) Also my plants seem to go nuts in there, I'm assuming partly because the white sand bounces back the light to the plant as well as the roots have an easier time to move.

Things to consider anyway.
Good luck!!

 

[keane]

hi steve, thanks for the info!
No there is no chance i could clean it without causing disruptions to the tank!
Is there anything you can advise or will this just disppear and remain harmless?

The algae growth is harmless to fish. There are a couple of ways to clean this
- get Otos or similar algae eaters (as a longer term fix)
- take out the gravel in batches and replace with new gravel
- take out gravel in batches, dip in mild bleach, clean thoroughly in dechlor water and return to tank

Hope this helps.

cheers Dubby.

didn't log on last night so only caught up with the post this morning.

steve