Gravel

[andy_gtfc]

I currently have coloured gravel (see pic below), but people are saying that it is basically rubbish and takes the colour out of your fish. Is this true?

 

[mishmash]

LOL, you put that pic up and need an answer ? OK I won't be mean. But YES YES YES. I am a firm believer that "Its your tank you do what you like with it as long as it wont kill the fish" but also I cannot stand multi coloured gravels. To my mind they look naff and totally detract from the beauty of the fish as they draw the eye away from what should be the main interest. Some nice sand would look lovely on the bottom of that tank, along with a few more plants....(preferably live but I realise you are restricted with a small tank, though some small nano's look AMAZING

 

[andy_gtfc]

LOL, you put that pic up and need an answer ? OK I won't be mean. But YES YES YES. I am a firm believer that "Its your tank you do what you like with it as long as it wont kill the fish" but also I cannot stand multi coloured gravels. To my mind they look naff and totally detract from the beauty of the fish as they draw the eye away from what should be the main interest. Some nice sand would look lovely on the bottom of that tank, along with a few more plants....(preferably live but I realise you are restricted with a small tank, though some small nano's look AMAZING

Thanks, I am in the process of getting some more plants so that won't be a problem, but I am very much a beginner so I will try and help people get me an answer as much as possible.

 

[mishmash]

LOL, you put that pic up and need an answer ? OK I won't be mean. But YES YES YES. I am a firm believer that "Its your tank you do what you like with it as long as it wont kill the fish" but also I cannot stand multi coloured gravels. To my mind they look naff and totally detract from the beauty of the fish as they draw the eye away from what should be the main interest. Some nice sand would look lovely on the bottom of that tank, along with a few more plants....(preferably live but I realise you are restricted with a small tank, though some small nano's look AMAZING

Thanks, I am in the process of getting some more plants so that won't be a problem, but I am very much a beginner so I will try and help people get me an answer as much as possible.

Are you getting more plastic ones or are you gonna try real ones ? Whichever you choose I would definitely swap out your gravel for something different. Argos play sand is very commonly used and incredibly cheap. Dont waste money getting a quarter as much for more money. You will have tons left over but you can use it when you get your next tank... OR UNIPAC do a range of aquarium sands. Maidenhead Aquatics are dotted around the country and stock these quite often.

 

[This Old Spouse]

If you'd like some ideas for decorating your tank, take a ride through the Monthly Competitions section and look at the tanks we've submitted for the contests. Click here to go to the Winner's Gallery. This will give you some great ideas!

Not too many of us here enjoy colored gravel, or really anything that doesn't look natural. If you even took out the colored gravel and replaced it with play sand or natural colored gravel, and put a nice piece of driftwood or bogwood in there as a centerpiece, then put up a black background (a trash can liner will do) you'd see a tremendous difference in how that tank looks!

 

[mishmash]

If you'd like some ideas for decorating your tank, take a ride through the Monthly Competitions section and look at the tanks we've submitted for the contests. Click here to go to the Winner's Gallery. This will give you some great ideas!

Not too many of us here enjoy colored gravel, or really anything that doesn't look natural. If you even took out the colored gravel and replaced it with play sand or natural colored gravel, and put a nice piece of driftwood or bogwood in there as a centerpiece, then put up a black background (a trash can liner will do) you'd see a tremendous difference in how that tank looks!

I second that LOL loving the trash can background idea Lisa.

 

[This Old Spouse]

It does work as an inexpensive background and can look good, but I prefer my black fleece fabric because it doesn't reflect the light. Black paint has also been recommended, which I'm going to try with my 15g long next spring.