Gravel

[JustSpongeIt]

Is there any kind of gravel that you guys/girls use for planted tanks? Or do you just use small gravel from the lfs?

Thx, Curt

 

[ronrca]

Im sure that if you go into the Aquatic Plant section, you will find some info.

 

[clothahump]

There are so many different theories on this one that you will get differing views.
Personally I use pond plant soil(almost clay) mixed with silver(silica) sand, I get very good results from this and it is cheap.  8)

 

[arcab4]

flourite!

 

[ryanp15]

[glow=Blue,strength,width]WOW! Fishman that's some really pretty gravel! I think it's the best I've ever seen. In every planted tank I've seen they use clay or flourite.

     Ryan ;D[/glow]

 

[FishChick]

flourite!  is right.  It is wonderful after you get done rincing it out.

 

[Matt Nace]

Flourite!!
Looks awesome in my tank.
Everyone comments on it.

That gravel Fishman might not look so good after a while, when algae get on it.

 

[Matt Nace]

lol...forgot why I have it...it is loaded with iron, and adsorbs nutrients, and is great for the plants rooting system.

But boy what a pain in the butt to clean, and is expensive.

 

[clothahump]

Recycled glass? now where have I heard this one before.
Looks good,expensive,too coarse,sharp edges,nothing for the plants to root in, the list is endless.
8)

 

[ryanp15]

Barb- All gravel eventually gets algea on it though. You just have to clean it good. I think it's really pretty.

Cloth- Yeah recycled glass is probably bad!


     Ryan ;D

 

[Matt Nace]

then you see my point ryan. It will look flashy until it gets the algae on it.

 

[ryanp15]

Yeah I see. I just think it look really great.

  Ryan ;D

 

[Bettaman shane]

I'd be worried about a sharp edge cuttin my pandas or my bronze cory's mouth >  > It would be horrible

 

[kitten]

the cories are tougher than you think...how the h*ll could you grow anything in that??

 

[clothahump]

Kitten the best substrate for corys is sand, I use silica sand that is quite fine available from garden centres, you do not need to buy the expensive stuff with pretty pictures of sweet little fishies on them. > 8)

 

[ronrca]

Whats this about algae not growing on the glass? In my 30G I have algae growing on my glass sides, why shouldnt it grow on the glass gravel. Besides, the glass gravel definitely does not look natural. Looks like the north pole! Its a very cold look! If algae is not suppose to grow on it, will bacteria grow on it? Gravel is one of the main sources of bacteria cultures to grow on. I dont like the light reflecting off it either. I would get too bright in a planted tank.

 

[kitten]

Fish would not like this one bit