Can someone help me with a name and where I can get some gravel. I dont have ascess to a fish store right now other than the chains and I was told menards or home depot have the same types of gravel for alot less money. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Best gravel for cichlid tank
- Thread starter justwinbb
- Start date
imo, fine dark gravel (1-2 mm). easy vacuuming, dark brings out their colours, easy root planting, hides poo and dirt, easy landscaping
only neg is, sand will provide more digging activity (fun to watch) and gives u more fish selection e.g geo's and some cat/bottoms
again imo
only neg is, sand will provide more digging activity (fun to watch) and gives u more fish selection e.g geo's and some cat/bottoms
again imo
i would go for some sand. you can use play sand that homedepot sells, or go to a local pool supply store and ask for pool filter sand.
I have used sand but I prefer to use gravel. I find it easier to vac and maintain. Menards is the cheapest way to go just rinse rinse rinse.
Gravel is gravel... no need to pay the high price tag of a fish store unless the pretty colors are worth the cost to you...
Gravel from a lanscaping yard or gardening supply house will serve just as well.
I used gravel for many many years. I tried aquarium sand (from a LFS) a few times but was never happy with the result (to fine, got in filters)...
About 7 years ago I tried pool filter sand and now that's all I will use. Waste sits on top where it is easier for currents to carry it to filters or for me to pick up during water changes. Sand removes a need for the labor intensive "gravel vac" and allows me to simply spot clean. This has reduced the efforts in my water changing considerably.
Gravel from a lanscaping yard or gardening supply house will serve just as well.
I used gravel for many many years. I tried aquarium sand (from a LFS) a few times but was never happy with the result (to fine, got in filters)...
About 7 years ago I tried pool filter sand and now that's all I will use. Waste sits on top where it is easier for currents to carry it to filters or for me to pick up during water changes. Sand removes a need for the labor intensive "gravel vac" and allows me to simply spot clean. This has reduced the efforts in my water changing considerably.
I use a mix of quickrete pool filter sand from home depot and carib sea crushed coral from the lfs. the crushed coral is necessary to keep my ph above 7, as my city water's ph is below 6.
I've always used the pea gravel that you can get at Lowes. It is somewhat small and pretty smooth. Works great. You just have to make sure to rinse it well before putting it in your tank.