Gravel Options

[kalihat]

I should be getting my 75 gal this weekend. I really like the look of sand, but just don't know about it yet.

Is gravel from a hardware store safe to use if I clean it thoroughly first? Something like this: http/www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=prod...&lpage=none

If so, should I used any type of cleaner on it? I'm thinking of just rinsing it thoroughly.

 

[Aphotic Phoenix]

I wouldn't use any kind of cleaner...it would be difficult to fully rinse that out of gravel. There aren't a whole lot of cleaners that are safe to use on an aquarium or equipment/decorations. Pure chlorine bleach is "aquarium safe" to a certain degree (you have to rinse until you can't smell it anymore, and keep rinsing after that...and then give it time for the chlorine to completely evaporate before adding it to a tank that contains fish). Vinegar can be used to clean up water stains on covers and glass. Other than that...keep most cleaners away from your tank.

Most gravels and sand should be fine as long as they haven't been treated in any way. Most landscaping stuff shouldn't be, but watch out for anti-mildew agents in some brands of play sand.

 

[kingmed]

I've used the same gravel many of times and have had great luck with it. I will never buy aquarium rock due to it being so expensive. What I usually do is get a kitchen strainer and rinse alittle rock at a time, then I'll swirl some in a plastic bowl and rinse and rinse, and also depending on how much time I have and how big of a tank I need it for I'll put some in a large pot with water and boil for a few minutes. I don't boil all the time but for like 5 gallon tanks I'll do it.

 

[kalihat]

I wouldn't use any kind of cleaner...it would be difficult to fully rinse that out of gravel. There aren't a whole lot of cleaners that are safe to use on an aquarium or equipment/decorations. Pure chlorine bleach is "aquarium safe" to a certain degree (you have to rinse until you can't smell it anymore, and keep rinsing after that...and then give it time for the chlorine to completely evaporate before adding it to a tank that contains fish). Vinegar can be used to clean up water stains on covers and glass. Other than that...keep most cleaners away from your tank.Most gravels and sand should be fine as long as they haven't been treated in any way. Most landscaping stuff shouldn't be, but watch out for anti-mildew agents in some brands of play sand.

Oh, I hadn't thought to look for those kind of things in sand. Thanks!

I've used the same gravel many of times and have had great luck with it. I will never buy aquarium rock due to it being so expensive. What I usually do is get a kitchen strainer and rinse alittle rock at a time, then I'll swirl some in a plastic bowl and rinse and rinse, and also depending on how much time I have and how big of a tank I need it for I'll put some in a large pot with water and boil for a few minutes. I don't boil all the time but for like 5 gallon tanks I'll do it.

yeah, i am getting a 75, and it's just outrageous how much aquarium gravel costs compared to this! It is the same thing, afterall.

 

[Aphotic Phoenix]

You can also try looking for untreated pool filter sand which has a larger grain size than most play / landscaping sand.