Marble substrate

[OrkyBetta]

I was thinking about putting in marbles for my substrate in the 'betta heaven' i am creating. I like the way they look, and they seem to be less work, and I don't have to worry about my not-too-bright bettas trying to eat them. My lfs sells them, for 20 cents A PIECE! you have to be kidding me! Will just plain old marbles work, or do i need special ones? Would I need to boil them?

Or, does anyone else have a substrate suggestion?

 

[red-devil0602]

i've used glass beads before and had no probs, you know them things for candle bowls etc

 

[eudielynn]

I bought plain old marbles from the toy dept. and washed them good in salt and declorinated water. Do NOT boil them. Marbles will crack and little chips could come off in the fish tank. I would hate for the fish to think they were food and try to eat them.

 

[Bettabelieveit]

I et mine from Walmart, in the craft dept. you can also go to any craft store around, most places have bags for 99 cents - 1.99

 

[OrkyBetta]

just went out and got some marbles, (they were labeled safe for fish) some silk plants and some craft canvas. The canvas is combed cotton, will this work for the dividers? Also the holes are kinda big. Will it stress the bettas out? I can always get more if need be.

 

[OrkyBetta]

DUH I just totally had a blonde moment, of course cotton isn't going to work under water...gar. It looked like plastic when I picked it up, and I typed the label directly as it was written onto the forum. Gosh I am blonde. Now I'm going to have to return it.

 

[Tolak]

People breeding egg scatterers, like danios, use marbles for substrate. The eggs fall where the adults can't get to them, keeps them from being eaten.

Tolak

 

[OrkyBetta]

Very cool, tolak. I picked up a few bags, but it isnt nearly enough to cover the bottom of the tank, so I'll either get more or mix it with the gravel from the betta's tanks.