DIY Gravel

mathchris

mathchris

AC Members
Aug 18, 2005
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Brooklyn NY
www.chrisramey.com
The Home Depots in New York are nothing like the ones in the South. I went there looking for the cheap substrate for aquariums. Ash-tray gravel, Black Beauty &/or sandblasting sand. I know to stay away from sandbox sand. Here's what they had, let me know if anyone's had bad experience with these (sand never settling, fish death; that sort of thing.) & I'll consider not using them.

Sakrete All-purpose sand
Sakrete All-purpose Gravel (for posts, walks, etc.)
 
Why stay away from sand box sand? It is larger particals and one would think better for a bottom, but is something added to the sand that is bad?
 
I've read that the play sand-box sand takes a very long time to settle when the fish kick it up. At Home Depot the Sakrete brand "All purpose" sand is larger granuals than the "play sand". I'm guessing it would be OK. I'm not sure how difficult sand is when you put a siphon vacuum to it. I know that Aquarium brand substrates are "coated with a non-toxic protectant to minimize dust and mineral release into your aquarium water" but I also hear that the coating gets worn away in the aquarium with vacuuming & fish play (which is why many avoid the artifically colored gravel).
 
Lowe's carries pea gravel in 50#(?) bags for $4.77.
You're looking for something cheaper???
 
I have read up a little on the sand and it looks like the big thing to look for is silica in the sand. They say that if you have any bottom dwelers it will cut them up. They recomend beach sand or river sand because the sand has been rounded and it will not cut up or wear on the fish. They say that with any sand if you wash it and strain it all the small stuff will come out (the stuff that does not settle easy). No one made mention of the effects of any chemicals in the sand (as some sand is labled known to cause cancer). Some web pages said that if you do not have any fish that dig in the sand the sand can become compact and grow bad bacteria. Any coments on that thought? I am starting to want sand but I want to hear from the people who have it and what you think of it?
 
pea gravel is pretty ugly and not very smooth. it all depends on where you are from,they get their stuff from where ever its close. check out homedepot in your area they got the tropical play sand stuff you wont want that unless your keeping africans or saltwater but people ship entire pallets of that stuff here to the west coase cause we cant get it here. i get my substrate from landscaping places, look around in the phone book they have their pebbles for pennies to the pound and a good washing is all thats needed. or a place that does orchids they use pebbles as medium too and very nice natural smooth looking pebbles that come in huge bags for cheap.
 
I gte ym substrate form landscaping places also along with some of my decor. I got about 75 lbs of some nice looking gravel and about 20 good sized rocks for decor all for 10 bux. IF yuo find the right place it can save you loads of money
 
Jericho said:
...silica in the sand. They say that if you have any bottom dwelers it will cut them up.
Click to expand...
Does anyone else agree with this about bottom dwellers & silica sand?
I've googled around & Sakrete all purpose sand/gravel is silica based. It's inert, so it is fine for fish health, no mineral deposits. Washing it is great advice as stated in this thread & across other forums. There's an algea problem myth attached to silica sand.
 
There aren't really any pool stores in New York City, nor are there landscaping stores or Lowes. The Home Depot only stocks 3 types of sand (lame). To top it off I don't really know anyone that owns a car (a problem with 60lb bags). If Sakrete silica does hurt bottom dwellers, local fish store $$ gravel or a mail order $$ may be my only alternatives.
 
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