What Besides Gravel or Sand

[RauDawg86]

Question on things people use for a base in their tank, like gravel, sand, etc. What other things can be used besides sand or gravel.

If you do use sand how do u clean it, because if u use a vaccume wont it jus get sucked right out? because unlike gravel its way 2 light

 

[Teelie]

Rock is another possibilty or fake plants to simulate a grassy bottom though I've never tried that one myself.

 

[ooSho]

I have sand in my 10 gallon aquarium. To clean it, I add alittle bit into a bucket, filled with water, stirred it around, waited for it to settle and then tipped the bucket where the water and and sand ontop went out...and did this about 10 times...then I repeated the whole process until I had enough sand in my aquarium, of course when you put it in, it's going to get cloudy, but it should clear up within 1 or 2 days, maybe even a couple hours.

When I clean the sand in the tank, I just tank my gravel vac and gently wave it around above the sand, to get all the waste to float up...

 

[Cheese Specialist]

There's also bare-bottom. People do that and have plants in pots.

 

[BirdofPray]

I have gravel in two of mine, and in another I have, what the packaging calls "Accent Gems" They look like glass marbles only flattened. Easy to clean and look really nice. Cheap too, if you get them at the dollar store.

 

[Teelie]

Bare bottom just looks so empty and sterile to me. I can't stand the sight of a barren tank.

 

[parker313]

My 10 gallon has black river rocks with clear marbles and blue "accent gems" mixed on top. It looks pretty cool. I got them from the crafts section at Wal-Mart - they have vases and other stuff for fake floral arrangements.

 

[amazingbioloboydp]

howsabout nuthing...for things like discus who need SUPER CLEAN tanks

 

[dcraveiro]

to clean a tank with a sand bottom with a syphon, "suck" up some sand into the syphon but before it reaches the tubing, pinch the tubing so there isn't as much flow. that'll keep the rocks from being sucked down. it takes a couple of minutes of practice but it's sure worth it!

DC

 

[Sky042]

to clean a tank with a sand bottom with a syphon, "suck" up some sand into the syphon but before it reaches the tubing, pinch the tubing so there isn't as much flow. that'll keep the rocks from being sucked down. it takes a couple of minutes of practice but it's sure worth it!

DC

actually if you just sorta hover at the right height above the sand you can pickup the poop and not the sand. Takes a skillful touch but it is easy to learn.