I Really Shouldn't Have...

[Ny82]

I have a journal in the members tank pics called welcome to the jungle, I had black gravel with a path of crushed coral I will hunt it out.


I know this is off topic but it's sort of related so no need to swing handbags
 
This is how my 64L started about a year ago

 
Then I changed it to this

 
Then I changed it again

 
It was far too messy

Then I had a huge nitrite spike which is also documented, It was dark purple every day. Oh I am glad those days are over.
 
I quite like the idea of half white and half black like I had when I started. It's such a small tank, I don't have much room to work with but I want something that will enhance his colour to the fullest.

 

[NeonBlueLeon]

To me, white substrate can distort colors greatly.  I have guppy that was once in a tank with white substrate and I thought he had a black fins, with subtle dark blue near the start of his fins.  I moved him to a tank that has a tan/brown substrate, and I realized how badly the white substrate censored his true colors.  His fins are actually a rich dark blue, with black mixed in!
 
Obviously, I would choose the dark gravel.  Like mentioned above, you could do a mix!

 

[Shelster]

I think I would go darker too, it may make it a bit too bright when they seem to prefer tea coloured water?

 

[Ny82]

I didn't know that about the white, thanks for the info. I remember seeing white sparkly sand in one of the tanks at pets at home and it had black widow tetras in it and they looked amazing!
I have black in my main tank. The yellow male guppy and the white/black platies look amazing. Unfortunately I forgot my other male guppy is black lol. 
Decisions, decisions! I will go to dobbies too tomorrow, they have a better range. 


Sorry Shelster I pressed reply then seen your post. Yeah I didn't soak the wood too long for the fry tank as I love the colour of it so yeah the white might look "wrong" lol.

 

[NeonBlueLeon]

It's interesting cause white sand doesn't have as strong as an effect on colors as gravel.  My guess is because sand is smaller than gravel.  Therefore there is more curved surface area.  The curved surface area doesn't directly reflect light, thus making it less bright.  Whereas white gravel are larger chunks that have alot of flat surface area to reflect light.  That's why white sand is easier to look at than white gravel.

 

[Ny82]

Ah I see, that is very interesting. I will see what they have over at dobbies I want to get the best one I can for his awesome colour. In my main tank it's more like a very finely ground gavel than sand. If I can get one like that I will be happy!

 

[RCA]

Ooh I am on a car forum and when we go to meets one of my mates brings his big DSLR camera. I will ask if he's free. He lives about an hour away so not too far 

Serves me right for losing my camera when I moved here! I just can't remember what I done with it.

Great, he will probably like the challenge  Hopefully yours will turn up soon too.
 

Hopefully this will work!
Fingers crossed!

Like you Mopani Wood, which tank is this going in?
 

Have I posted them in the right thread? My brain is fried thro lack of sleep (puppy whining overnight since Monday - wahhh!) Have just posted again in your other thread, Ny, cos I thought I'd got it wrong

.  This is where RCA's Muppet points could be awarded! lol

OK, I know you want them, you are now officially a "Muppett" + 1 point.  If anyone is not sure what we are on about, Muppet Points explanation.
 
 

Ill post pics tomorrow of my two pieces - oh and I have a confession to make

I had my baby in her car seat in the trolley (she's only 14 wks & I didn't want to wake her putting her into the trolley seats)
Anyway, here I am dotting bits around her carseat, she has been as good as gold all around the shop, then kicks off when we are queuing to pay.
I unload the trolley, have obligatory chat with sales assistant re her age etc, pay, grab items, dash out to get her happy ASAP and find the second piece of mops I wood under her carrier!!

Now don't judge me, I know I could have gone back in and admitted the find, but she was screaming her little heart out, I just put her in car and left!

When I first scan read this I thought it said "I had my baby in the car" i.e. gave birth!
You could always pay next time if you wanted to
Apparently after you have had a baby your brain functions differently hence things get forgotten etc.  My sister said really people should not drive after having a baby, as she used to do things like go around a round-a-bout the wrong way!  Not sure how long it lasts but check it out by researching on Google and you may find something?
 

I bought two pieces also from Dunelm yesterday

Thanks Ny xx

You're welcome. Like I said in the other thread-it's the steal of the century.
Oh wait....

 lol I'm just playing hun. Baby brain it is!

Which thread are you referring too, I seem to have missed something?
 
 

So I just checked on Rusty before I go to bed and I couldn't see him anywhere so panic sets in and I look behind the filter, on the filter behind the pebbles then I saw movement and there he is, in the plant between the pebbles just sitting there. It was the most adorable thing ever! I have a feeling we are going to have a lot of good times together!

They are fun aren't they?  At least you did not "poke" him and scare him (sorry Shel ).  With Bob, who is now often in his pipe hammock, or chilling in the feathery plant, if he is at the bottom of the tank I have to look very carefully to check his gills are going so as not to scare him!
 
Re; Black or white gravel, I think your boy would look washed out on white, plus if you get any algae growth or muck on it it will look dirty all the time.  Of the two you have shown us, the black in my opinion is the better gravel, as less will fall and get trapped with the smaller stuff.  Check out the Unipac range, they have some nice stuff, I like the Senegal and have used it in a number of my tanks including my winning tank  I do like black as well and have just used the Limpopo in my Fluval Edge 46L.  In my signature there is my other project whereby I am planning to mix some of the Unipac sands possibly...
 
I generally do not like coloured gravels as they look unnatural but for some reason a deep blue keeps coming to mind to show off the chocolate colour, or maybe even a dark green would look good?
 
Am I forgiven yet for asking you to go and take pics and "making you" come home with Rusty?

 

[Ny82]

The other thread I am referring to is my planned fry journal! Mamashack is getting everyone confused 

I saw a deep purple gravel too. Now I love dairy milk purple-want my wheels on my car painted that colour (purple and orange might not go though lol) It's gorgeous! Don't know how it would look in the tank though. The gravel in there at the moment is pink but looks awful due to the tannin stained water. 
 
Yes I forgive you, if it wasn't for you requesting pics, I wouldn't have him so I thank you too
 
It's the unipac black sand I have in the main tank. I thought it was more like a finely ground gravel. It didn't create a sandstorm when I put it in. I love it but I think I want gravel. There's so many choices. Will go to dobbies tomorrow. 
 
We were having a stand off earlier.

 
Tomorrow is the big day. I will drop my girl off at nursery, go to dobbies, pick a substrate come back. I would ideally want to start it straight away while she's away but  I don't think I will have time. If i'm back for about 10am I can change it over in an hour but don't know how long it will take. It's just along the motorway so we'll see.

 

[Wildbetta]

I would definitely go with black or a natural color (like the river pebble color).  White shows algae and nastiness so much easier plus white actually washes out color instead of enhance.  I have never been a fan of the colored gravel(besides black).  It might look good in the bag but normally doesn't look as good in the tank.  
 
I love the "stand off" pic!

 

[Ny82]

I do like the dark gravel. I think that will be what I come back with tomorrow. 
I saw this there too
http/www.petsathome.com/shop/natural-mix-aquarium-gravel-2kg-by-pets-at-home-16373
I'm in 2 minds about it. It reminds me of driveway pebbles lol. I thought the white would be good but I am getting put off by the thought of it turning green lol!

 

[Mamashack]

I have that gravel in both my tanks altho looking at them side by side you'd think they were different. It's because of the lights - one is bright white and the other looks warmer so you can get different effects with different lights.

 

[Ny82]

Which one do you have mamashack? The one in the link? I wasn't sure about it!
Can you please post a pic of both of yours here? I want to see! In fact-can everyone post pics of the sand/gravel they have so I can see please

The light in this tank is a single tube and is white. I do like the idea of half white and half black. I will see when I get to dobies they have stacks of gravel and sand in different colours. I am looking forward to seeing what they have.
If they have a very light sand I might even be swayed towards that! I know, i'm so indecisive!

 

[Shelster]

This is my betta substrate

 

[Ny82]

Wow that looks lovely I love all the plants! Is that one of the arcadia tanks? Thanks for sharing!

 

[Shelster]

No, it's a lovely aquanano 30, I adore it - my journal for it: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/416507-22-litre-betta-tank/

However I do have the 35 litre arcadia which I am going to eventually upgrade Vader to. I'm just taking my time as I love his current tank, but it is awkward taking out that wood to clean and put back taking care the plants don't get squished due to space.
I do love that wood though

The aquanano is 22 litres btw