Pantyhose Aquarium Safe?

[netcode]

Hey i am looking at using gravel and sand when I redo my tank. I want to separate the two, I checked at my hardware store for some window screen which i know is aquarium safe, I couldn't find anything with small enough diameter holes so the sand wouldn't fall through. I was thinking about using pantyhose or something of the similar. Does anyone know if this stuff is aquarium safe? Or could anyone suggest a material that I could use to separate the sand from the gravel with little to no sand going through.

Also if pantyhose are safe, will plant roots grow through them?


Thanks

 

[crazie.eddie]

They are not fish safe. They are too delicate and can break up, getting the fish caught inside. Are you trying to create 2 levels of substrate? You can use a clear plastic piece to do that.

 

[netcode]

They are not fish safe. They are too delicate and can break up, getting the fish caught inside. Are you trying to create 2 levels of substrate? You can use a clear plastic piece to do that.

If they are under sand how are they going to break up? and how would the fish get to them? do they deteriorate?

clear plastic piece of what?

yes i am trying to create 2 levels of substrate

thx

 

[big mick]

There wasc a post on here ages ago about using womens tights to do just this, cant remember who it was but they even recommended TESCO'S as the best place to get the tights

 

[netcode]

thanks for the info. I guess it would all depend on the material of the tights if its going to deteriorate or not.

 

[paul-discus]

I have used sand and gravel before and bought "gravel tidy" to seperate them which is a perforeated plastic sheet which can be cut to size.

 

[The-Wolf]

how can a thermoplastic material break up in water?
it would take at least a thousand years for water to have any effect on nylon.
in short, provided you have no fish that could burrow into the substrate
to get entangled in the fine mesh, yes it is safe.

personally I'd not use it, but then again i prefer stockings and suspenders

 

[netcode]

I have used sand and gravel before and bought "gravel tidy" to seperate them which is a perforeated plastic sheet which can be cut to size.

I have heard of this "gravel tidy". But over here in Canada we don't seem to have anything like that product wise. The UK is far ahead of us over here in north america when it comes to fish keeping.


Thanks wolf for the reassurance that it will work. I am definitely going to use tights aka pantyhose.

 

[NatKing]

depends what fish you have, but I simply put a deep layer of gravel over the sand and it's not budged..

 

[vic]

Have a look into "landscapers cloth". This material is put down to prevent weed growth through sand, rock, gravel, etc. I would be concerned about the potential lack of porosity and also about whether or not the material may be toxic. doubt the toxicity as it is used in landscaping but will still give that a good look as well. I doubt there is any issue about it breaking down.

UK supplier - http/www.aquatics-online.co.uk/catalogue....asp#product283 scroll down

UK supplier - http/www.aquatics-online.co.uk/catalogue....asp#product283

Couldn't find a North American supplier.
Vic

 

[Themuleous]

Never seen gravel tidy, thats a great product if it works, could solve lots of problems, just wish i knew about that before re-doing my 20g, doh!

Can the plant roots get through it?

Sam

 

[The-Wolf]

gravel tidy
any decent LFS in the Uk should be able to get this (tell them the wholesaler ALF stock it)

 

[juwelfan]

I used tights to hold some Java fern onto a rock, after a few days i found one of my Otto stuck to it, it took me ages to free him, i can only imagine how stressed he got. It was stuck all around his mouth and gills.
I took it all out and went an bought some cotton thred. I'll never use it again.

 

[donkey]

Dirty little devil . bet it was a male Otto trying to get in to a girls tights