Trying To Source A Cheap Gravel

[shrimply]

I am looking for you help I am just about to start a planted tank and want a natural look as possible. What I reall fancied as my top layer was some sort of soil of compost but was warned off it in the planted tank forum. I am going to use tropica plant substrate on the bottom.

Anyway I am pretty much dead set agains't using regular gravel as I want a change in my tank. So I was wondering if anyone knew where I could get a substrate like THIS. Only a whole lot cheaper. The tropica substrate costs a bit and I want the gravel to be as cheap as possible.

I will go with regular gravel if nothing else comes up but any help in sourcing a darker gravel would be great.

 

[my fat fish]

idea get a big rock and hit it with a hammer for a few days could make u some graven but would be shar so then u get yaself some sandpaper and smove each 1 off

or u could go to b&q and have a look ther they normally have stuff like that cheaper then a fish store

 

[fenwoman]

I am looking for you help I am just about to start a planted tank and want a natural look as possible. What I reall fancied as my top layer was some sort of soil of compost but was warned off it in the planted tank forum. I am going to use tropica plant substrate on the bottom.

Anyway I am pretty much dead set agains't using regular gravel as I want a change in my tank. So I was wondering if anyone knew where I could get a substrate like THIS. Only a whole lot cheaper. The tropica substrate costs a bit and I want the gravel to be as cheap as possible.

I will go with regular gravel if nothing else comes up but any help in sourcing a darker gravel would be great.

Why not use black slate chippings instead if you want it dark. Available cheaply from any builders merchant. About a fiver for a 25kg sack.

 

[shrimply]

I don't think I will get it fine enough, idealy it should be under 3mm

 

[Fate2006]

get play sand, it's cheap and looks natural like the bottom of a lake, mabye (depending on size of the tank) if it's like a 20gallon tank get 15pounds play sand and 5 of river rock gravel

 

[DarkEntity]

Argos Play sand is 2.50 for a large bag

 

[samyboy]

i used argos playsan its great

im using gravel in my smaller tank 79p for 2.5kg's

 

[vancouver]

Sand-wise..

play sand compacts underwater.. I hate play sand... pool filter sand doesn't compact underwater, so waste doesn't sit on top of the sand or float around the tank.

Definitely go with pool filter sand if you decide on sand.

 

[nukeonekitty]

I found an amazing deal on mine... I found 25 lbs bags for $2.50... couldn't pass it up... it looks wonderful. I got it at Petsmart.

 

[shrimply]

Thanks people but I am not really looking at sand I don't much like the appearance and if any of the bottom layer beggins to mix through it will look naff.

Was already planning to search B&Q also going to check out some builders merchants ect. But still open to other ideas if you have them.

 

[Yetti]

I bought gravel that looks something like that at a Home depot, so I bet that you can find some at a hardware store near you.

 

[pica_nuttalli]

you might look and see if any of your local garden shops carry "Schultz Aquatic Plant Soil". its brown but similar in consistency to the stuff you showed us. its great for plants and one bag should be enough for several tanks.

http/www.schultz.com/ProductCategories/S...uaticPlantSoil/

 

[big mick]

If you're after cheap gravel dont go to the shop in Kilmarnock that I went to where the bag it up themselves....While washing it I found 2 cigarette buts!!

Cheap b@stards, they must haver just got it from a builders yard....what next...an empty pot noodle cup?? (or "not foodle" as I call them)

 

[shrimply]

Thanks will have a look but since I am in the UK some of that stuff Might be hard to find.

Have noted you advice Big Mick but was thinking of trying the builders yard myself so that doesn't bode well.