What Makes Aquarium Gravel So Expensive?

[danio]

I can understand the colored, epoxy-coated gravel and other special types costing a bit more to produce, but the natural pea gravel and river stones labeled for aquarium use seem to sell for 8 times as much as the equivalent stuff you can find in a home improvement store.

Aside from the fact that it's pre-washed, does anyone know the reason for the huge difference in price? Is it just marked up because they know it's going to hobbyists instead of landscapers, or is there some other reason?

 

[afishdude]

because its for aquariums so they jack up the price. they figure that you dont no that you can use other rocks so they raise the price super high. that and it takes money to paint the gravel.

 

[vic]

Simple answer - greed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Look for pool supply stores, building centres, landscape suppliers, horticultural stores, rock product suppliers, etc. to access sand. The last sand I bought was $8 for a 5 gallon pail!
Vic

 

[doresy]

Everything in small portions costs more.

I noticed a small tin of baked beans actually costs more than a regular tin! Buy the big b****r and throw half away

All I would say is, the small pebble gravel that they sell in the LFS is smaller than the gravel size in DIY stores so maybe it costs to grade it that way, who knows

 

[my fat fish]

like with anythink u think your getting the best but reallky ur getting the bog standard stuff u could get anywher. like with paint some people buy dulux, that is no better then the stuff leylands sell for a fraction of the price

 

[Leahzebelle]

heh, this post cleared a few things up for me. it always bugged me about how unbelievably expensive some aquarium stuff is.

 

[Aphotic Phoenix]

One could guess that aquarium gravel would (hopefully) be less likely to contain unknown substances or contaminants than sand/gravel that was created for the express purpose of use in landscaping...

Doubtful that this is really the case however. Do keep in mind the type of fish you will be purchasing before buying something overly sharp or rough.

 

[doresy]

like with anythink u think your getting the best but reallky ur getting the bog standard stuff u could get anywher. like with paint some people buy dulux, that is no better then the stuff leylands sell for a fraction of the price

Yeah, but it don't 'arf make yer tank cloudy

 

[ArauraDiscus]

I think gravels darn cheap. You can get about 50 pounds for 10 dollars out here.