Where Do You Get Small-sized Gravel From?

[robjack]

Hi all,
I've decided that the gravel I've used in my new tank here is too big. This sized gravel emphasises the tank's smallness imo, and I'm really after something smaller (1-3mm?). Looking around, neither of my two LFS have anything other than the size i've currently got, and on the net all I've found is specialist substrates like Eco-Complete, Fluorite etc. Anyone any ideas where i can get standard, small-sized gravel from?

Many thanks,

Rob.

 

[Qays]

I have really fine gravel. Its 1mm - 3 mm

I just looked in my lfs's bags, and the smallest one they had was 1mm-3mm and its really cool

(beware, its an unfinished tank lol, no hood yet!)

Have you looked all over your lfs?

 

[robjack]

Yeh, I've just never seen anything other than "normal" size gravel. They don't do any fancy substrates either.

Another substrate-related question: At one of my LFS, they do some gravel-like stuff labelled as carbon. Is this supposed to be mixed in with another substrate? Presumably it would be good to provide the carbon that plants need when you dont inject CO2? Or would a liquid fert like Seachem Excel be better for this? I think they also do another bag labelled as iron.

Any responses greatly appreciated,

Rob.

 

[oldwhitewood]

I wouldn't add carbon directly to the gravel it wont really work in the way you would like. I think that is activated carbon which you'd normally put in a filter box or such-like to absorb impurities or 'polish' stained water.

You could have a look here Aqua Essentials Webpage

as aquaessentials have some good gravels, the hagen gravel in particular is brilliant and the best stuff I have ever used in terms of grain size and appearance.

 

[robjack]

Thanks for the link - I'd looked at Aqua Essentials, but then always clicked on substrates and completely not seen the gravel section! Doh! Mixed Earth or Oatmeal Hagen stuff looks good.

£6.95 on shipping though...I'll have to have a think about it.

Thanks again,

Rob.

 

[oldwhitewood]

Well if you think about it the weight of the stuff and the packing of it etc. The shipping seems decent to me, I sent a camera and some polaroid film today and it cost me a fiver or so. And as you can imagine that's a lot lighter. If it's the gravel you really want then it would be good but this is the problem, for the stuff we really want to create the aquascapes that are going to be pleasing to us aren't readily available in the shops. You may well find a bit of that gravel type in an LFS maybe dunno, depends how lucky you are with shops in your area.

 

[Themuleous]

Thanks for the link - I'd looked at Aqua Essentials, but then always clicked on substrates and completely not seen the gravel section! Doh! Mixed Earth or Oatmeal Hagen stuff looks good.

Ditto! Doh

 

[robjack]

Luck has struck Was walking home today and passed a pet shop I've never been in before. I went in on the off-chance and yup, they had some nice small gravel, was able to get what I needed for £6. Now to get rid of the old stuff and re-scape...

...expect an update in my journal soon B)

You're absolutely right oldwhitewood about buying what pleases us, but certainly for me it's a balance between desirabilty and affordability!

Thanks for all your help,

Rob.