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Hey guys,

I am fed up with my formerly white, marble gravel (now algea-ridden and covered in poop from the Pleco). Cleaning handfulls of the gravel at a time doesn't seem to help, and my Fluval filter simply isn't catching the bottom-debris.

I would like to get a black gravel, but with the price it would amount to for filling a 75 gallon tank, it's somehwat out of the question. So I'm trying to think of other options, perhaps things that aren't exactly meant for fishes..?

What about Sea Glass?

http://hucor.com/images/gb03.jpg
http://hucor.com/images/gb01.jpg
http://hucor.com/images/gg03.JPG



(The above photos found at: http://hucor.com/seaglass.html - " They are suitable for pet use as in aquariums..." )

The edges are pointed, but rounded and polished. I more concerned with the Ph levels and the chemical reactions, than the sharpness of the edges.

Has anyone used Sea Glass or have any concerns that would stop them from doing so?

I think it would make a beautiful substrate - I just don't want to take any chances.

Thanks,

-Crystal



Last edited by CrystalSP at 05-Sep-2005 15:28

Sea glass is fine, it wont alter your ph in any way.

However you mentioned a pleco. I don't see him being comfortable with that sized and shaped of a substrate. Additionally if it's the waste that's bothering you currently it's just going to be worse with glass as you'll be able to somewhat see the waste thru the glass. Also you're going to have no end of trouble doing gravel vacs with it as it's likely to have enough pieces that are larger than the gravel vac will go over.

I'd suggest switching to a dark pea gravel found easily in most all home improvement stores if you're looking for a cheap substrate. And if the waste continues to be a problem do more frequent gravel vacs making sure you go all the way to the bottom glass, and or purchasing a powerhead that you can aim towards the substrate to help keep the waste suspended in the water longer allowing a greater chance of the filter picking it up.

^_^[hr width='40%']"So take the photographs, and still frames in your mind.
Hang it on a shelf in good health and good time...
It's something unpredictable, but in the end is right
[link=I hope]http://babelfish.qwertydigital.com/" style="COLOR: #EB4288[/link] you had the time of your life"

Babel,

Thanks for the quick response!

Well, we don't have a gravel vac - I've never attempted one. Usually, I just scoop out a bowl-full at a time, rinse it off, try to syphon the bottom where the gravel was, and refill the tank. It's a rather pointless effort, seeing as the dirt from surounding gravel gets stirred up and lands right back down on the clean gravel.

Would you suggest buying a gravel vacuum, then? I did find a nice-looking one at BigAlsOnline for about $10.

I am also a bit reluctant to keep my current gravel because of how bright it is (when it's clean). I know that Cichlids are usually less stressed in darker, natural habitats - unfortunately though, when I purchased the gravel, I had no idea what fish would be residing in my tank.

RE: Pleco

I have a feeling in the pit of my stomach that my beloved Pleco will not be with us much longer. He is out-growing the tank - and fast. He can hardly move around without bumping into things, and I'm afaid that the algae that's in there is not substaining him enough. He's constantly restless, it seems as if he can't find a good spot to munch on.

So, the hunt is on for someone with a set-up large enough and suitable enough to provide him with a new, better home. This raises another off-topic question though: Would it be safe to transfer a Pleco that is..Oh, I'd say a little over a year old..that's lived in a freshwater tank his whole life into an outdoor pond, with Koi instead of Cichlids?

Thank you,

-Crystal

Yes get a gravel vac ASAP!
Honestly can't see how you've gone this long without one ! You may see a big enough of a difference in the tank after using one for a few weeks that you may decide against the substrate switch. By hand washing the gravel you're possibly also doing more harm than good as you're likely removing more of the biofilter than a gravel vac would.

Light colored substrates often do stress fish out as they're used to light being up and dark being down...as for moving the pleco, getting him into a good sized tank is important, not sure what the temperatures are in your area and if it'd be comfortable enough in an outdoor pond.

BTW, if you like the sea glass...they do work in small betta tanks and are perfect for helping with floral arrangements.

^_^[hr width='40%']"So take the photographs, and still frames in your mind.
Hang it on a shelf in good health and good time...
It's something unpredictable, but in the end is right
[link=I hope]http://babelfish.qwertydigital.com/" style="COLOR: #EB4288[/link] you had the time of your life"

Ah bless, she doesn't have a vac. Get one - YOU WILL LOVE IT, and so will your stock.

I think adding a little something for variation in your existing substrate may give enough colour variation to disguise the pooheys when you are near the tank but still look white and pristine from far away.

I like the look of the "glass works collection". The dark bits may be a good foil for the pooheys.

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~~~ My fish blow kisses at me all day long ~~~