Fish Tank Gravel

[Raverbaby]

Hi having a new 4ft tank delivered soon to replace my 3ft one.
Having looked round the local fish shops today I wasn't overly impressed with their gravel selection, it all seemed bland.
So was wondering if anyone had used some stones/pebbles from a garden centre for a gravel base?
Apart from probably cheaper there will probably be a wider selection of colour & grain, or is this asking for trouble with the water parameters.
Thanks.

[Turn7]

Go for straight play sand if you're planning to house any Corydoras or similar cats....

Also looks far more natural to me.

[Jasandjules]

Well I used Argos play pit sand in my marine tanks, just poured boiling water over it first.....

[Raverbaby]

I've also used the sand but the fish "waste" always sat on top of the sand and never really absorbed into the sand.
Just looking for some gravel TBH, thanks anyway folks.

[RobDickinson]

This a community tank or for anything special?

[Raverbaby]

Just a standard tropical set up.

[Nickyboy]

I used Pets At Home black gravel in my tank, looks a lot better than other stuff i looked at

[markjo]

[quote=Raverbaby]I've also used the sand but the fish "waste" always sat on top of the sand and never really absorbed into the sand.
/quote]
That's good gives you the chance to clean it, I have been using sand for a while, much more natural and easy to clean, use a small battery powered hover once a week all done in a couple of mins , I have also found plants prefer it....

[therealpigdog]

Nickyboy said:

I used Pets At Home black gravel in my tank, looks a lot better than other stuff i looked at

I use this too in a couple of my tanks, but get it from Amazon as it is cheaper (especially if you are a prime member) - http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004CS8PD0. Personally I really like the look of the black substrate, and this is my favourite at the moment.

Also use Argos play sand in one tank, and river sand (available from a builders merchant) in other tanks. It's all down to which look you prefer, and whether you want to grow plants or not.

Depending on what look you want to go for, and what fish/creatures you are keeping, why not consider not putting any substrate down and just making a java moss (low light) or riccia (high light) carpet (google it for instructions)? I've just seen a tank that's been set up this way and it looked fantastic.

[Tiggsy]

Raverbaby said:

I've also used the sand but the fish "waste" always sat on top of the sand and never really absorbed into the sand.
Just looking for some gravel TBH, thanks anyway folks.

Absorbed? All that happens is the crap gets stuck within it - it's not deep enough to act as any sort of filter in itself. Its just filth! Stir any gravel in a tank and its just grim.

Sand all the way.

[Nickyboy]

therealpigdog said:

I use this too in a couple of my tanks, but get it from Amazon as it is cheaper (especially if you are a prime member) - http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004CS8PD0. Personally I really like the look of the black substrate, and this is my favourite at the moment.

Thanks for that, upgrading to a bigger tank in a few months so will be wanting loads more soon

[Raverbaby]

Thanks for all the input folks, decided to go with Black Quartz