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I'm looking to change my natural gravel substrate, which is leaching minerals into my water, making it VERY hard (yes, I had considered cichlids, but they sound so difficult!). I want a gravel that's fairly fine and/or rounded so I can have some Cory's. I've checked out my aquarium supply stores and a gravel I like is Estes Sprectra Stone "Deep River", but to me it looks just like my own gravel, but with a shiny coating on it. The greyish bits worry me...I'm afraid this may leach too??? I have been unable to find any commnets on this gravel other than the general "safe for all aquariums". Anybody know about this gravel and/or how effective these coatings are??? Or is it best to stay away from the coated ones altogether?

I can also get the tahitian moon sand from Petsmart which I like, though at $30 a 9kg bag, it's a little pricey... but does this sand have the compaction problems mentioned in some of the other sand substrate questions?

well, i just got some natural gravel from walmart, it said it could be used in ponds, but i havent seen a change in my tank...yet, i put it in yeasterday, over my fine sand, fine sand is a bit hard to clean, but the larger (like pool filter sand) isnt too hard, i am pretty sure u can gravel vac it too

fishyhelper288,

Tell me more about this pool filter sand. Thanks!!!!!!

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

That's interesting... are you sure it's the gravel changing your water? I've never heard of that happening. Was it store bought or did you collect it yourself? Have you added any other objects to the tank, and have you tested your tap water? The only substrates that should change water params like that is eco-complete cichlid sand/ gravel, or marine sand etc.

In any case, pool filter sand can be bought very cheaply at your hardware store. The grains are a big bigger than play sand, so it's more inclined to sink and stay sunk. However, if you use pool filter sand - or ANY sand for that matter - make sure to wash and rinse it like crazy. You'll probably find a good deal of debris mixed in with it, and it's not really stuff you want in your tank. There are a few threads around that deal with changing substrates, you should check those out.

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Back in the saddle!

The clear coating on aquarium gravel I've never seen worn off any. That was my first substrate and still looks fine today.
Are you sure it's your gravel that's raising the ph, and not some other rock or shell you placed in the tank?
I use pea gravel from home depot in two of my tanks and havent had a problem with it, LFS bought gravel in another and playground sand in the last tank.

Re: Pool filter sand, there has been some concern raised about issues involving sillica in the tank. Sand in general needs very specific care an attention to prevent serious side effects from occuring.

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The life, the love, You die to heal.
The hope that starts, The broken hearts...
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So what type of things do you have to look out for with pool sand?


55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Sillica.

There is debate as to if it increases the likelyhood of diatom algae which occurs in tanks with excess silica and phosphates. I've read both sides of the story though so can't really say one way or the other.

^_^[hr width='40%']"Has someone taken your faith? It's real, the pain you feel.
The life, the love, You die to heal.
The hope that starts, The broken hearts...
I’ve got another confession my friend, I’m no fool.
I’m getting tired of starting again, Somewhere new.

So is this something you could counter with a planted tank?

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Plants generally do not like a sand substrate. Sand will compact over time which will more often than not compress and kill the plant roots. Plants with strong root systems, and or using plants that can easily be tied to driftwood or rock are options.

Silica removers are available in your LFS, however seeing as pool filter sand is silica it may not be enough to control the algae.

^_^[hr width='40%']"Has someone taken your faith? It's real, the pain you feel.
The life, the love, You die to heal.
The hope that starts, The broken hearts...
I’ve got another confession my friend, I’m no fool.
I’m getting tired of starting again, Somewhere new.

is eco-complete considered sand?

It's a [link=plant substrate]http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=20557;category_id=3145;pcid1=3349;pcid2=" style="COLOR: #EB4288[/link]. It's larger than sand and will allow for the plant roots to grow well which in turn keeps it from compacting. In non planted tanks gravel vacs to the bottom of the tank prevent compacting and anerobic pockets from forming. In a sand tank you cannot gravel vac in the traditional sense which is what causes the compacting and pockets issues.

^_^[hr width='40%']"Has someone taken your faith? It's real, the pain you feel.
The life, the love, You die to heal.
The hope that starts, The broken hearts...
I’ve got another confession my friend, I’m no fool.
I’m getting tired of starting again, Somewhere new."

If you cant get your PH down, consider this:


Some Cichlids arent too difficult to keep. Kribs, rams, yellow labs, keyholes, etc all like hard water and are pretty hardy. If you decide to look into them, FP is a great place to figure out what you need to do for 'em.




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