Garden slate chippings safe to use in aquarium?

[sweets]

Hi I am wondering if garden slate chippings would be safe to use in my aquarium for my base layer instead of the usual gravel? ??

 

[Bigcatfishrule]

yeah mate they'll be right, as long as there have been no chemicals (e.g. pesticides, weedkillers) used near or around the slate. slate from my garden is what I use, just sand down sharp edges and scrub them thoroughly, and you'll be right. cheers, Jim

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Wouldn't that substrate be difficult to keep clean?