substrate??

[samsmom]

Well, the background is curing, turned out pretty awesome if I say so myself, will post pics soon. But, now a new question, I am looking for substrate for the tank, I really like the Black Tahitian gravel but it is soooo costly, how has pea gravel worked for anyone? I have a tank 48x18x26 (97g) and will have Jewel cichlids, parrots, J.D.'s, peacocks and (I have inherited a 14" common pleco), a roving band of rosy barbs and a school of zebra danio's (my wish list). According to the math for 2" substrate I will need 98 lbs, I also have an underground filter with 2-500 aquaclear filters. Any suggestions? Will this work? Should I have more or less than 2"? Thankx.

[nickmcmechan]

I like pea gravel.

About 2" is right with plants and and a UGF

[ct-death]

2" is a good rule-of-thumb (personal preference, so this is up to you), but anything over 1.5" average is good. I like to create hills and valleys in my substrate so mine varies from say 1" to almost 4" (2" avg).

As for substrate, there is really only 2 concerns: Removal of ALL of the dust (peastones have a LOT), and to ensure that the material is not toxic (such as dyes, etc.) and/or alters the chemcial composition of your water.

Peastone will work, but just clean, clean and clean some more! ;)

[Pallen81]

I have a tank 48x18x26 (97g) and will have Jewel cichlids, parrots, J.D.'s, peacocks and (I have inherited a 14" common pleco), a roving band of rosy barbs and a school of zebra danio's (my wish list).

Just be aware that your JDs (especially the JDs), Peacocks, and maybe the Jewel cichlids will kick the crap out of your barbs and danios. They are not very compatiable at all. Mixing community fish with Cichlids almost always runs into distaster eventually. I've done it before! trust me. hehe. You might want to reconsider. Just a thought.

[samsmom]

Thank you, will take all information into consideration, just was considering both top and lower fish, any other suggestions?

[Aislinn]

Is there a Petsmart near you? If you really like the Tahitian Moon, do a product search on Google, print out the page for the cheapest one, bring it into Petsmart and they'll match it. I recently switched my cichlid tank to sand, and I got two bags of black Tahitian Moon for $12.99 total. If you get it, rinse it a billion and one times before you put it in the tank. It's awfully dusty in the bag. Looks amazing in the tank, though. The colours just pop.