Tell Me If Im Being Dumb...

[bexyjane]

Tell me if im being dumb....but is there much difference between normal gravel and aquarium gravel (apart from the price?!)!!
Thanks bex

 

[WILDER]

I would buy aqaurium gravel as it has to be round in shape with no sharp edges to it, as it can cut some fish if its sharp gravel.

 

[Talz]

I would buy aqaurium gravel as it has to be round in shape with no sharp edges to it, as it can cut some fish if its sharp gravel.

Agreed, especially if you plan to add bottom feeders (sharp gravel might not make for a preety sight!) also correct me if im wrong but wouldent normall gravel tend to be dirty?

 

[bexyjane]

I would buy aqaurium gravel as it has to be round in shape with no sharp edges to it, as it can cut some fish if its sharp gravel.

Agreed, especially if you plan to add bottom feeders (sharp gravel might not make for a preety sight!) also correct me if im wrong but wouldent normall gravel tend to be dirty?

well i thought that, but my dads redoing our drive atm and i was looking a it earlier, seems exactly the same and i washed it lots of times and no dirt appears to be comming off anymore. It hasnt cut/scratched me but iw don't want to use it if its going to cause harm to the fish!
Thanks bex

 

[Teelie]

Also, aquarium gravel is treated and especially meant for use with live animals. gravel you get for the road can have any number of things in it and take a lot more to clean up. You'll do better with the aquarium safe stuff.

 

[Rick]

I just used plain old river rock from Lowe's. Cheap but it did take a lot of cleaning.

 

[Talz]

Also, aquarium gravel is treated and especially meant for use with live animals. gravel you get for the road can have any number of things in it and take a lot more to clean up. You'll do better with the aquarium safe stuff.

Yah id have to agee, its nice to save money but it isnt worth the risk of something going wrong (and that risk is probably preety high) Better to be safe then sorry my dear

 

[keeper-of-fish]

I wouldnt chance it. couldn't it fluctuate the ph greatly? some rocks from out side arnt safe but I dunno?

Get sand lol its the best

 

[Talz]

I wouldnt chance it. couldn't it fluctuate the ph greatly? some rocks from out side arnt safe but I dunno?

Get sand lol its the best

Yah some types of rock can really mess with the p.H

P.S: I like your picture of Bubbles

 

[bexyjane]

I wouldnt chance it. couldn't it fluctuate the ph greatly? some rocks from out side arnt safe but I dunno?

Get sand lol its the best

Yah some types of rock can really mess with the p.H

P.S: I like your picture of Bubbles

Thanks for all the replies! i guess i won't be chancing it!
I really like the look of sand, how do you keep it clean though? is it good to mix it with abit of gravel? is it easy to grow plants in it?
thanks again
bex

 

[keeper-of-fish]

well I find it easier to clean than gravel because you just run the syphon over the crap a few inches above it and it sucks it up. The crap mostly sits on top so u dont have to shuffel around like in gravel the sand also gets picked up by the syphon so thats why you go like 2 inches above the sand. I think it looks better to in my opinion if you have bottom feeders they perfer it plants grow in it quite good.

Ya bubbles is my hero

any more concerns I may have missed ask again lol

 

[Talz]

well I find it easier to clean than gravel because you just run the syphon over the crap a few inches above it and it sucks it up. The crap mostly sits on top so u dont have to shuffel around like in gravel the sand also gets picked up by the syphon so thats why you go like 2 inches above the sand. I think it looks better to in my opinion if you have bottom feeders they perfer it plants grow in it quite good.

Ya bubbles is my hero

any more concerns I may have missed ask again lol

Ive always been scared that if I got sand it would get sucked up

 

[bexyjane]

well I find it easier to clean than gravel because you just run the syphon over the crap a few inches above it and it sucks it up. The crap mostly sits on top so u dont have to shuffel around like in gravel the sand also gets picked up by the syphon so thats why you go like 2 inches above the sand. I think it looks better to in my opinion if you have bottom feeders they perfer it plants grow in it quite good.

Ya bubbles is my hero

any more concerns I may have missed ask again lol

Thanks. what bottom feeders do you have? do you mix your sand with gravel or just have the sand? Don't you find when you syphon it it mixes the sand up and makes the tank very cloudly, i've heard this can be a real probelm, but personally i think it looks more natural with sand. how you have real or plastic plants in your tank? How long has it been runing? I'm new to tropical fish and I don't want tpo try anything to ambitious but i do want to be happy with my result!!
Thanks for your help
Bex

 

[PlecMama]

Never had a problem with the sand, it's heavier then water and so if you lift it up and drop it, it instantly sinks, it doesn't disolve and cloud the water.
I it a lot easier to keep clean though, only problem is, a good filter makes such a current that it blows it into sand banks I am forever straightening it back out again. Grrr.

 

[Talz]

Never had a problem with the sand, it's heavier then water and so if you lift it up and drop it, it instantly sinks, it doesn't disolve and cloud the water.
I it a lot easier to keep clean though, only problem is, a good filter makes such a current that it blows it into sand banks I am forever straightening it back out again. Grrr.

Wouldent it look kind of cool? Like sand dunes!