Pea Gravel

[idlefingers]

Someone told be a little while ago that pea gravel raises the PH? is this true? if so, by how much?

I can't decide whether to use sand or gravel in my 130g. Gravel seems like it'll be so much easier to clean before putting in and then easier to keep clean once it is in (and I'm lazy!)

 

[Matty P]

Someone told be a little while ago that pea gravel raises the PH? is this true? if so, by how much?

Sorry don't know about that.

I can't decide whether to use sand or gravel in my 130g. Gravel seems like it'll be so much easier to clean before putting in and then easier to keep clean once it is in (and I'm lazy!)

Lol if that is so then you better go with gravel then, because it is a lot easier to keep clean than sand!

Matt

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

I think it depends entirely of what rocks the gravel consists of. Back in the days when i used to have gravel substrate in my tanks, i had two different types of gravel- one was that (dare i say horrible) bright multi-coloured gravel when i first started fishkeeping, and then later i changed to a white rounded "moon stone" gravel (both gravels were painted/coated). I don't know if the first gravel changed my ph, but the second one definately didn't.
However, i do remember reading that a certain natural gravel obtained from beaches does change the ph of tanks, like this one;

http/www.seapets.co.uk/product-details/s...tegory/940.html

I think it can change the ph because it is obtained from the beach, the stones which made the gravel could consist of everything washed up at the shore from limestone, sandstone, granite, flint, slate etc- there's no way of knowing if there are loads of ph changing rocks in the gravel or not unless of course you test every little peice.

edit: oh by the way, i would disagree about gravel being easier to keep clean than sand- having both kept sand and gravel based tanks, i would definately say that sand is a lot easier to keep clean. Gravel is notorius for trapping lots of waste from the tank inbetween the peices of gravel, while fine sand on the other hand is much better as it is too dense/fine to trap waste in it a lot and so waste in the tank just often floats on top of it and into in the filter.

edit: sp

 

[Matty P]

edit: oh by the way, i would disagree about gravel being easier to keep clean than sand

I have kept both too and still find gravel easier. Just depends on tank and stocking.

Matt

 

[rdd1952]

As mentioned, it depends on the type gravel as to whether it will have an effect on the pH or not. As a general rule, it shouldn't unless it specifically is designed for that purpose. It should also say on the bag if it does. Cleaning gravel for the setup is definitely easier as there isn't much dust in it. A simple rinsing is usually all that's required. When it comes to actually cleaning the tank, I think sand is much easier as the waste stays on top and you just vcuum it p. With gravel, the waste gets down in the gravel so ou have to work to get it out.

 

[idlefingers]

edit: oh by the way, i would disagree about gravel being easier to keep clean than sand- having both kept sand and gravel based tanks, i would definately say that sand is a lot easier to keep clean. Gravel is notorius for trapping lots of waste from the tank inbetween the peices of gravel, while fine sand on the other hand is much better as it is too dense/fine to trap waste in a lot and so waste in the tank just often floats on top of it and into in the filter.

As mentioned, it depends on the type gravel as to whether it will have an effect on the pH or not. As a general rule, it shouldn't unless it specifically is designed for that purpose. It should also say on the bag if it does. Cleaning gravel for the setup is definitely easier as there isn't much dust in it. A simple rinsing is usually all that's required. When it comes to actually cleaning the tank, I think sand is much easier as the waste stays on top and you just vcuum it p. With gravel, the waste gets down in the gravel so ou have to work to get it out.

Makes sense. I guess sand'll be better.. Especially considering there will be an oscar in there It's just not going to be fun cleaning such a huge quantity of it. I need to stop being so damned lazy

 

[rdd1952]

It depends on the type sand you use. Play sand which is the cheapest is difficult as it has a lot of dust in it. The best way I have found it to put it in a bucket (clean trash can if possible) and stick the hose in and run it pretty wide open. Keep stiring it with the hose or some type stick to allow the fine stuff to come out.

If you go with more expensive sand such as Tahitian Moon Sand (black), it is much easier to clean and really only needs to be rinsed. I have used it and it only took me 5 to 10 minutes to clean a bag. It does not could the tank at all and if you disturb it, it settles right back down. I also love the way black sand brings out the color of the fish and plants.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Silica sand is also an option, it comes in a wide range of colours, everything from blue, white, green, yellow, purple, black, red etc etc. Its also very fine/soft sand and is relatively easy to wash, i just empty a bag of it into a bucket and clean it under a tap swishing it all around so the dust gets washed out, leaving the heavy sand at the bottom of the bucket .