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I'm contemplating on changing my natural gravel to black gravel. But I dont like the gloss-look of the plastic coated gravel. Is there such a thing as all-natural black gravel? If so, where to find? Thanks.

I have used gray coast calcite in both fresh and salt water tanks, and it looks wonderful, it isnt shiny like the fake gravel, and really brings out the colours in the fish and plants. It NEEDS to be washed off real well or your water will turn the colour and consistency of chocolate milk. We have it in a 28 gal FOWLR, a 20 gal FOWLR, an eclipse 5 with goldfish, an eclipse 7? With tropical fish mainly guppies, a 20 gal with a pig nose puffer who spends most of his time burrowing in it, and soon to be the base of a 90 gal planted tank, we figure the roots can grow in it. So check it out, let me know your thoughts.
-ed-

Thanks for the response.

Does the calcite raise the PH? I have high Ph from the tap 7.8.

that i'm not sure. i don't know much about the stuff only it looks good and works for me, hopefully someone else can answer that for you.
What kind of fish are in the tank anyway? i know some like a high PH, so if it does you could still be ok.
-ed-

Only fish I have in the tank right now is a Parachromis Loisellei, Central American Cichlid. The recommended PH is between 7-8. Hopefully the calcite will work for me.

Hi,
Calcite is CaCO3 and is called a carbonate. It can alter
the water making it hard, slowly, and naturally. A problem
with calcite can be the impurities that are chemically
combined in the basic formula (CaCO3xx) that can be
released as the bonds break down in water.
Unless I were keeping a tank for Rift Fish or others
that demand high pH and hardness, such as salt water
tanks, I would not use this product in a fresh water
tank.

Natural black gravel is available. It is a volcanic
sand, and can be expensive. Others who do not have
fish with barbels, can use a product called "black blast"
a "sand" designed for sand blasting. Actually a crushed
glass, it has sharp edges, and is "glossy" in appearance.

Hope this helps.

Frank


[span class="edited"][Edited by FRANK 2004-09-10 04:51][/span]

-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

There's plenty of natural black gravel available here... but I guess it's not much use to you!

I definitely prefer the look of "real" gravel to the plastic coated stuff and it's also much cheaper (at least in NZ). Good luck.

Last edited by Babelfish at 27-Sep-2004 09:33

Last edited by Babelfish at 27-Sep-2004 09:33

Last edited by Babelfish at 27-Sep-2004 09:33

whetu,
Thanks for the comment.

Your avatar is cool.

I'm going to try a couple landscaping supply stores.
Hopefully my luck will change.

Oops!@#$%

Sorry for the mulitple posts, Babelfish.
My reply wasn't going through so I kept doing it over. I didn't know it would post so many times!!!
Seems I'm also having trouble editing my profile.
Hopefully all the bugs will get fixed soon.