Combining gravel and sand?

H2Ogal

H2Ogal

Betta Be Good to Me
Mar 16, 2010
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Memphis, TN
Real Name
Deborah
20g long, fairly heavily planted but the plants are young and the substrate is really bright under my new 2x18w fluorescent strip. I'll be adding kuhlis and want to leave plenty of sand for them — but would like to tone down the open section in front.

Thinking I might add a sort of river of gravel, from under the forward foot of the driftwood, widening across the low front section and maybe narrowing back between the rotala and the lily in the corner. Maybe build up sand on the right end of the tank?

Would the gravel just sink into the sand? I know small rocks do.

Speaking of rocks, I have a couple dozen small rounded ones, 1" to 1-1/2" diameter, and two flat river stones, about 2"x3" across. Is it possible to shore up a low bank of sand with rocks? Would I need to add some material underneath/behind the stones to keep the sand from sifting/sliding back through — and if so, what material?

Thanks in advice for any ideas/advice!

Sand_FT.jpg

Sand_FT.jpg
 
The tank looks nice, it'll get better as the plants grow. My small stones sank down in pool sand too, You might want to add some more hiding places for kuhlis, wood or rocks. You'll see them more if they feel secure.
 
I almost always sprinkle a bit of gravel over sand for a more natural look. Check out this book for ideas:
http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Aquarium-Peter-Scott/dp/0789400138/ref=pd_sim_b_22
Super cheap, and I look to it again and again for design inspiration. Libraries sometimes have it, as well.

I think a mixture of black and natural gravel would look really nice, you can also try Estes "Walnut" gravel, they make it really fine:
http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp18302/si1381417/cl0/esteswalnutgravel5lbs

Also their "Deep River" blend is lovely:
http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsU...420/cl0/estesnatureblendsdeepriverregular5lbs

I always prefer finer gravel, the plants don't mind it and any kind of rooting or burrowing fish prefer it. The Estes gravel is great to work with because it's epoxy coated, no dust (so perfect for decorating rather than bio-filtration with an UG). If you just want to go with regular gravel though, I like to mix in just a little black into the natural brown, tan, beige and white for a richer look.
 
So, small gravel goes naturally to the top of the mix, huh? Good to know.

Platy, I like the looks of that book. Checked my library and found what look like several other good ones. (Man, I used to go immediately to the library and bookstores for any kind of research. Lots of browsin' and thinkin'. Now, I'm all about da Internets and instant answers. Go figure.)

I have some leftover sand that I think I'll play with in a glass bowl once I find some gravel I like. Beats freaking out the otos again just to figure out what I like.

Fishorama, good tip on the caves and hidey holes for kuhlis. I'm hoping the area under and around the driftwood will serve them well, once the plants fill in. Maybe I can figure out something with the rocks I have to make another hangout or two.
 
How about Terra cotta pots? Soak for several hours. Rest the moist pot on a folded towel. Place flat-head screwdriver against the drainage hole and firmly tap with rubber mallet or hammer. The entire bottom should easily pop out. Instant tunnel that you could half-bury now and let the plants to fill in around them. These can also be broken in half for two lower-roofed caves. You could also silicone rocks to the tops for a more natural look...
 
You will love the book, it's worth owning! The suggested other books Amazon presents are good as well...yeah, I've spent a small fortune on used aquarium books ;)

Terracotta pots are nice, but even better would be some handmade pottery caves. I love this guy's work: http://www.rosenthalpottery.com/
He's a great guy and on Aquabid, has all kinds of neat stuff.
 
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