Fine Gravel over normal? - Aquarium Advice

blazeyreef · 12-04-2006, 07:22 PM

Hi all,... I was wondering...if I should get really fine grade subtrate for my new "to-come" planted 10gall? cause I am not happy with the regular pea gravel....and I (think) I can get 25 pound of the fine grade for like $12.95... around here eco (I like the look of it though ) is not even to be found and flourite is

in price....and I like the look of it..anyways, if anyone has any input I would appreciate it!

Sicklid · 12-04-2006, 07:42 PM

Sorry, I misread the question! I thought you were putting it OVER the pea gravel.

I am using play sand in my tank, which you must be lucky enough to find the correct one. The one I got is like mini pea gravel, not really sand... It doesn't "sparkle" like sharp sand which is flat like little disks and will compact on you. Mine is small round pebble.

Any clay type of earthy sand will compact.

Lonewolfblue · 12-04-2006, 07:55 PM

Just make sure it's not too fine, or it will compact and you'll have problems due to anaerobic pockets in the fine gravel. I haven't had any problems yet with my pool filter sand, as it's pretty coarse. Any smaller, it would have a compacting problem.

WaterPond · 12-04-2006, 08:00 PM

i bought hagen riverbed sand for my 2gal and it eventually turned to clay!! that made me mad. ANd yeah, i just bought a tank that came with loads of pool filter sand. It seems to be pretty good. Go with it if possible.

dskidmore · 12-05-2006, 10:28 AM

I used paving sand in my planted tank. The plants really like it, but I wish I had rinsed it out better so the finer silt doesn't get stirred up when I'm replanting. I did have to add Malaysian Trumpet Snails to stir up the sand and keep gas pockets down. The other downside to the finer sands is that the mulm can collect on top of the sand instead of sifting down into it. it can be somewhat unsightly on top, but is good for your plants if it makes it below. If I did it again, I'd try the pool filter sand, people seem to consistently report this as a coarser grade of sand.

maxwell1295 · 12-05-2006, 01:34 PM

I have very fine ColorQuartz sand. The S-Grade is much finer than their T-Grade, which is a lot like PFS. The plants have done well in my planted tanks and my Mbuna like digging in it. For ease of cleaning, it's about the same as the PFS I have in my other tanks. In either case, it's a good idea to sift the sand by hand every now to release any trapped gases.

blazeyreef · 12-05-2006, 02:28 PM

well the main reason is that I like the look...I have had playsand and was not impressed...pain to keep clean, and when I did water changes I allways got some sand mixed in as well and ugg..what a pain! thanks all for the reply's

12-04-2006, 07:22 PM	#1
blazeyreef Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Nashville TN Posts: 1,591 Images: 1	Fine Gravel over normal? Hi all,... I was wondering...if I should get really fine grade subtrate for my new "to-come" planted 10gall? cause I am not happy with the regular pea gravel....and I (think) I can get 25 pound of the fine grade for like $12.95... around here eco (I like the look of it though ) is not even to be found and flourite is in price....and I like the look of it..anyways, if anyone has any input I would appreciate it! __________________ Houston "Face Trials with Smiles"-Porter Ellett *My aquariums-5gall snowball shrimp, 20long-awaiting setup,29gall planted* "We are nothing until we make ourselves somthing" CTR**

12-04-2006, 07:55 PM	#3
Lonewolfblue Planted Geek Community Mentor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wenatchee, WA Posts: 7,871 Images: 7	Just make sure it's not too fine, or it will compact and you'll have problems due to anaerobic pockets in the fine gravel. I haven't had any problems yet with my pool filter sand, as it's pretty coarse. Any smaller, it would have a compacting problem. __________________ 26G Medium Planted Community - 65W CF Lighting - Emperor 280 Bio-Wheel - Established Feb 2004 55G Aggressive Community - Filstar XP3 - Established Dec 2005 75G Heavily Planted - Pressurized CO2, 520W Lighting, Filstar XP3 with spraybar - Established Feb 2006 29G Planted - 130W Lighting, Filstar XP2 with spraybar - Established May 2006 5 10G Tanks - Various setups - Tanks Established May-Sep 2006. 3 currently empty. 5.5G Crypt/Java Fern Tank - Established Oct 2006 My 29G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=78469 My 75G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=70764 My 75G Makeover Thread: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=87691

12-04-2006, 08:00 PM	#4
WaterPond Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Corunna, Ontario (outside of sarnia) Posts: 2,616 Images: 5	i bought hagen riverbed sand for my 2gal and it eventually turned to clay!! that made me mad. ANd yeah, i just bought a tank that came with loads of pool filter sand. It seems to be pretty good. Go with it if possible. __________________ Jason Canadian Aquarium Auction!

12-05-2006, 10:28 AM	#5
dskidmore Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Genesee Valley Posts: 2,290 Images: 1	I used paving sand in my planted tank. The plants really like it, but I wish I had rinsed it out better so the finer silt doesn't get stirred up when I'm replanting. I did have to add Malaysian Trumpet Snails to stir up the sand and keep gas pockets down. The other downside to the finer sands is that the mulm can collect on top of the sand instead of sifting down into it. it can be somewhat unsightly on top, but is good for your plants if it makes it below. If I did it again, I'd try the pool filter sand, people seem to consistently report this as a coarser grade of sand. __________________ 75 gallon freshwater Baby shrimp sighted! 2.5 Gallon unpowered freshwater now with high light 0.25 gallon palmtop doomed to an unlit end?

12-05-2006, 01:34 PM	#6
maxwell1295 Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 887 Images: 7	I have very fine ColorQuartz sand. The S-Grade is much finer than their T-Grade, which is a lot like PFS. The plants have done well in my planted tanks and my Mbuna like digging in it. For ease of cleaning, it's about the same as the PFS I have in my other tanks. In either case, it's a good idea to sift the sand by hand every now to release any trapped gases. __________________ 125G Mostly Malawi Tank 75G Malawi Mbuna 7G Office MiniBow 125 Gallon Mixed African Thread, 75 Gallon Mixed Malawi Thread

12-04-2006, 07:42 PM	#2
Sicklid Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Tarpon Springs FL Posts: 658 Images: 4	Sorry, I misread the question! I thought you were putting it OVER the pea gravel. I am using play sand in my tank, which you must be lucky enough to find the correct one. The one I got is like mini pea gravel, not really sand... It doesn't "sparkle" like sharp sand which is flat like little disks and will compact on you. Mine is small round pebble. Any clay type of earthy sand will compact.

12-05-2006, 02:28 PM	#7
blazeyreef Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Nashville TN Posts: 1,591 Images: 1	well the main reason is that I like the look...I have had playsand and was not impressed...pain to keep clean, and when I did water changes I allways got some sand mixed in as well and ugg..what a pain! thanks all for the reply's __________________ Houston "Face Trials with Smiles"-Porter Ellett *My aquariums-5gall snowball shrimp, 20long-awaiting setup,29gall planted* "We are nothing until we make ourselves somthing" CTR**

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