Glass Gravel?

[fanaticbooks]

Glass Gravel? Catfish? (added on further down)

I have a 28 gal. octagonal tank, had it for years. I have been using rock/gravel that is not glass bought from pet stores over the years.

I finally found a home for my Pleco and still have 3 guppies and a tetra in there. I use plastic plants tied to fake rocks and a piece of fake coral for decoration.

Since I am low on fish, the plants are ready to be trashed (turning black) and the Pleco left a lot of yuk stuff behind, I am thinking about changing everything but the water out.

I like the looks of the glass gravel but don't know how safe it is to use for fish, filtering, breakage. Since I intend to scoop all rock presently in there out (after removing the fish into a safer environment while I do so), and putting in new plant stuff, maybe live?, maybe not, I would value opinions by people who actually know what they are doing, which is not me.

Any suggestions?
fanaticbooks

 

[bruinsbro1997]

Hi there,

What kind of pleco is it? Also the tetra needs a bigger school.
I think you are fine without glass gravel, my concern is that the pleco might cut itself on the sharp edges.

 

[HUKIT]

Glass gravel is perfectly safe for aquariums, may not be the best choice for planted tanks but for everyday use you'll have no issues.

 

[fanaticbooks]

Bruinsbro1997,
My Pleco was a marble fin? I think that is what it was called by the fish person at Wet Pets. I was able to catch it myself thanks to them giving suggestions for doing so. Took it to them and they put it with another one so it should find a good home. He said it could grow as big as 3 feet so am glad I have it removed through my small top of the aquarium.

Also, I DO intend to get more tetras, but figured I would do so after changing the tank. I am very low on schooling fish, usually about 10 in there but they have dwindled.

Hukit,
I have tried live plants and they have been a royal pain so reverted to plastic. I just want a new look but the safety of the fish has to come first. Since I don't know anything about glass, don't know do's and don'ts on it. Thanks for your response.

 

[fanaticbooks]

One other thing while I am about this....

It has been suggested that instead of a Pleco or Chinces algae eater, I should get catfish for keeping the tank clean. Every time I have tried them, my catfish have died within 2 weeks.

Any suggestions for kind of catfish and/or how to keep them from dying?

If I need to post this comment in its own thread, let me know. I will be glad to oblige but felt I may as well throw it into the mix also.

fanaticbooks

 

[bruinsbro1997]

Sorry I have never heard of that pleco! I'm not a pleco expert so I can't say how accurate the guy is.

Good to hear

 

[bruinsbro1997]

One other thing while I am about this....

It has been suggested that instead of a Pleco or Chinces algae eater, I should get catfish for keeping the tank clean. Every time I have tried them, my catfish have died within 2 weeks.

Any suggestions for kind of catfish and/or how to keep them from dying?

If I need to post this comment in its own thread, let me know. I will be glad to oblige but felt I may as well throw it into the mix also.

fanaticbooks

What kind of catfish? There's a lot. It's true they will eat food that falls to the bottom but they aren't going to eat fish waste for you.

 

[fanaticbooks]

bruinsbro,
I don't know. It has been a year or so and all anyone ever says is "catfish." They are small about 1-2 inches long and don't grow any bigger.

I am interested in keeping the green off the walls of my tank. That has always been a problem.

 

[bruinsbro1997]

The green is algae, instead of getting algae eaters like most people recommend I like using my MagFloat. It's a magnet, with one side on the outside and the other on the inside, the inside part having a rough material on it that will get rid of algae on the tank. I like it so it's my suggestion.

Edit: those catfish are probably corydoras. There are lots of them and are really cool fish.

 

[fanaticbooks]

Wow, Bruinsbro.

I never heard of that before. I went looking and there are ones for acrylic. Sounds like it would be worth a try before investing in fish that eat algae. I don't seem to have too much luck with the fish.

Thank you.
fanaticbooks

 

[Fishkeeper26]

IMO you shouldn't get a fish to clean algae. If you need the algae gone you can get an algae scrapper. You should only get fush you like, not to do a "job" but thats just my opinion. If youre really set on getting a fish to eat algae I would say otos, but wait til you tank is well established.

Also how long are you keeping your lights on?

 

[fanaticbooks]

I do try to get fish I like. Actually I love the Plecos...very disappointed I couldn't keep this one. I have an algae scraper but it didn't work well. Will try that MagFloat. It might work fine.

The light goes on about 9 am and off about 10 pm. I don't use a heater because my house is very warm compared to many (there's a diabetic in my family who gets cold easily) and so it isn't needed. Temp in water is usually about 76 degrees F.

 

[Fishkeeper26]

A problem with your algae could be linked to how much light your giving. There is no reason for your lights to be on 13 hours a day. I don't keep mine on fir more than 8, even if you break it up into 2 4 hour periods where you'll be home seeing them most often. But changing that should cut down on algae

 

[tarpon]

If you like plecos a lot you could get a bristlenose. It would help with the algae and only grow to around 4 inches

 

[fanaticbooks]

Thanks Fishkeeper. I'll give it a try. Thing is I enjoy my fishtank many hours of the day. Being retired means I am home usually and it is fun to watch...especially when my two cats get interested.

 

[fanaticbooks]

Thank you tarpon. Doing a little research I like the looks of them as well as the simple care instructions.

I will definitely keep them in mind when I restock.
fanaticbooks

 

[tarpon]

Yepp. I love my albino one. Just make sure to vary its diet with different veggies too.
Mines active and has a lot of personality.