AquaRank.com

FishProfiles.com Message Forums

faq | etiquette | register | my account | search | mailbox
# FishProfiles.com Message Forums
L# General
 L# Aquascaping
  L# Cheap Substrate
 Post Reply  New Topic
SubscribeCheap Substrate
gunk
-----
Small Fry
Posts: 5
Kudos: 3
Votes: 1
Registered: 30-Jul-2008
male australia
I'm looking for some alternate sources (preferably in or near Adelaide metro area) to get a fine gravel (no bigger than 3mm) or course sand suitable for a 600L planted aquarium.

Surely there must be somewhere that doesn't charge $1 or more per kilo for the stuff.
Post InfoPosted 24-Sep-2008 01:24Profile PM Edit Report 
Babelfish
 
**********
---------------
---------------
---------------
Administrator
Small Fry with Ketchup
Posts: 6833
Kudos: 8324
Votes: 1570
Registered: 17-Apr-2003
female australia us-maryland
Have you tried looking at bunnings, or local garden shops? While back in the states bought 'shultz's aquatic plant soil' from home depot (bunnings) for much much cheaper than anything from an LFS.

^_^

Post InfoPosted 24-Sep-2008 01:57Profile Homepage AIM MSN PM Edit Delete Report 
keithgh
 
---------------
---------------
*Ultimate Fish Guru*
Posts: 6371
Kudos: 6918
Votes: 1542
Registered: 26-Apr-2003
male australia au-victoria
At garden suppliers (where they sell it by the cubic Mt) they should have a product called propagating sand it can come in several gradings. It is basically nothing but very fine river pebbles. It will require a lot of washing to remove all the fines and dirt.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info
Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW
Post InfoPosted 24-Sep-2008 06:11Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Callatya
 
---------------
---------------
-----
Moderator
The girl's got crabs!
Posts: 9662
Kudos: 5261
Registered: 16-Sep-2001
female australia au-newsouthwales
Can't recall the brand, but bunnings has river sand in 20kg bags that is quite ok. It needs a LOT of rinsing first though as it has a lot of mud!

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

Post InfoPosted 24-Sep-2008 07:36Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
keithgh
 
---------------
---------------
*Ultimate Fish Guru*
Posts: 6371
Kudos: 6918
Votes: 1542
Registered: 26-Apr-2003
male australia au-victoria
Callatya

That is propagating sand. I have bought it at garden/landscape suppliers for less than $1.00 for a 10 lt bucket.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info
Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW
Post InfoPosted 24-Sep-2008 08:48Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Callatya
 
---------------
---------------
-----
Moderator
The girl's got crabs!
Posts: 9662
Kudos: 5261
Registered: 16-Sep-2001
female australia au-newsouthwales
is it? I wondered what its real use was, seemed too filthy for sandpits. Looks very nice in tanks though, I have it in my garage yabbie tank and my fiddler tank and it just looks lovely and rivery.

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

Post InfoPosted 24-Sep-2008 17:08Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Babelfish
 
**********
---------------
---------------
---------------
Administrator
Small Fry with Ketchup
Posts: 6833
Kudos: 8324
Votes: 1570
Registered: 17-Apr-2003
female australia us-maryland
Note to self, look for propagating sand!

Is it heavy enough to not get sucked up by filters? I've been against sand since I tried it at work and ruined a few filters.

^_^

Post InfoPosted 25-Sep-2008 01:44Profile Homepage AIM MSN PM Edit Delete Report 
Callatya
 
---------------
---------------
-----
Moderator
The girl's got crabs!
Posts: 9662
Kudos: 5261
Registered: 16-Sep-2001
female australia au-newsouthwales
It is big grains and tiny rocks, not really like beach sand. I'll grab some pics

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

Post InfoPosted 25-Sep-2008 05:16Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
keithgh
 
---------------
---------------
*Ultimate Fish Guru*
Posts: 6371
Kudos: 6918
Votes: 1542
Registered: 26-Apr-2003
male australia au-victoria
A good supplier will have several grades (I use it to open up potting mixes.)
It comes in various sizes 1mm-3mm is the mix I use.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info
Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW
Post InfoPosted 25-Sep-2008 05:32Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Post Reply  New Topic
Jump to: 

The views expressed on this page are the implied opinions of their respective authors.
Under no circumstances do the comments on this page represent the opinions of the staff of FishProfiles.com.

FishProfiles.com Forums, version 11.0
Mazeguy Smilies