Yodapwnsasmurf Posted May 3, 2014 Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 Alright, so I've gotta (wanna) buy some gravel for my upcoming 8fter. I'm just tossing up a few different colours at the moment. I originally though solid black but after seeing how much it's worth I'd rather stay away. Local landscape supplies has river gravel which is kinda yellowy brown, but I just don't know how that'll look! If anyone has pics of gravel in their tanks and what it looks like, post them! This is the tank I'll be filling (thanks Mike!) Finn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomo29 Posted May 3, 2014 Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 nice tank mate , i cant help u with gravel , i have bare or play sand in mine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lgw Posted May 3, 2014 Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 Does it have to be gravel? I use sand in my tanks, pool filter sand being my favourite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lgw Posted May 3, 2014 Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yodapwnsasmurf Posted May 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 I guess it could be sand, I was always under the impression that the fish lose colour when in a white substrate and that sand was hard to keep spotless? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MNRiekert Posted May 3, 2014 Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 Depends on what fish, I think my Bolivian rams and Geos look way better over a lighter substrate, otherwise they get grey barring over them. If you get sand I'd recommend a sand sifting species to keep turning it over so algae does not discolour it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozmo Posted May 3, 2014 Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 What species are you planning on housing in the 8fter Finn? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosieposie Posted May 3, 2014 Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 I have small gravel from Smith's, it is "black" but looks more chocolate brown in colour. I had the black Diamond sand in one tank, changed it to the gravel from Smith's as it looks heaps better IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yodapwnsasmurf Posted May 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 What species are you planning on housing in the 8fter Finn? GPG is gonna be the centre piece until it out grows, probably some Silver Dollars, Tin Foils and Prochilodus as well. Oh and maybe a Catfish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tristan Posted May 3, 2014 Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 Go with your original hearts desire and stick with black! you will regret skimping later on down the track... buckets of the stuff often go for cheap second hand on here or gumtree. for the fish you listed it could also look nice with a nice natural red river gravel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crusty76 Posted May 3, 2014 Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 Mate Id get Black Diamond Sand mate it looks amazing wth white fish wont take to much to do the bottom of that tank just want a thin layer wth GG anyway or u will get to much veg mater build up in it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yodapwnsasmurf Posted May 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 Alright, well if the options and suggestions seem pretty 50/50, I guess I'll go with Black if I can find it cheap enough otherwise White Sand it is! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evenflow Posted May 3, 2014 Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 I bought some pool filter sand from the pool shop on Pickering St for $15 per 20kg. Thought it was going to be white, though it turned out to be a dark yellow/light brown. To me it looks much more natural for my driftwood and plant tank. Very happy here. The grains size is also closer to the 'ideal' that some people talk about as well cf. play sand. Not sure whether it makes much of a difference... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
litigator666 Posted May 3, 2014 Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 Since your asking for colours, i was in petbarn earlier and saw some luminous gravel. Grovy looking and you can add a disco ball to match it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
litigator666 Posted May 3, 2014 Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 (edited) xxxxx Edited May 3, 2014 by litigator666 stick with gravel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yodapwnsasmurf Posted May 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 Try looking up burwell technologies in lytton. They have different black sandblasting sand. Also different colours/shades. This is their list, yeah? Abrasives Looks good, but is it fish safe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
litigator666 Posted May 3, 2014 Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 (edited) xxxxx Edited May 3, 2014 by litigator666 stick with gravel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFC Posted May 3, 2014 Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 I use black gravel tank along with a black background as IMO I think it highlights plants and fish more. I totally understand your point on cost though especially if you are trying to fill an 8 foot tank. It also seems Mike as moved up from VB to Stella and silconed and empty to the top of your tank.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yodapwnsasmurf Posted May 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 Sandblasting products are being used by keepers in the us and japan. From what i read, it doesnt alter chemistry of the water. I have personally used black diamond and red garnet. Just make sure though on the grit size are some are really coarse and sharp. They also have some glass bead type that you may want to consider. I dunno, they all seem either metallic or just very sharp! Have you got a link to the Black Diamond? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kane123 Posted May 3, 2014 Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 I always found white pool sand hard to keep clean. You would always see black poo sitting on top of it no matter how much gravel vac you did. In my 6x2x2 atm I have black gravel with red devils and convicts, sets off their colours pretty well, will see if I can get some pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
litigator666 Posted May 3, 2014 Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 stick with gravel then. The neon/luminous ones are groovy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blocka Posted May 3, 2014 Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 How much was the black gravel you were looking at the best I've seen it was $20 for 20kg 3mm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
th3f0rg0t3n Posted May 3, 2014 Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 I have an 8ft'r with 80kg's of black diamond quartz gravel, i dont recommend it very highly for any bottom dweller's the stuff is sharp enough to cut your hands while washing it out. -It also washes out most fishes colour i've found ! The Mary River gravel from most landscape suppliers comes up very nice in fish-tanks after a wash, the stuff comes up magic!@ -The Mary River sand also comes up a treat!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yodapwnsasmurf Posted May 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 How much was the black gravel you were looking at the best I've seen it was $20 for 20kg 3mm That's a good price, where was that? I have an 8ft'r with 80kg's of black diamond quartz gravel, i dont recommend it very highly for any bottom dweller's the stuff is sharp enough to cut your hands while washing it out.-It also washes out most fishes colour i've found ! The Mary River gravel from most landscape suppliers comes up very nice in fish-tanks after a wash, the stuff comes up magic!@ -The Mary River sand also comes up a treat!! Oh, okay. Sharp isn't good... Something like this maybe? https://www.aquariumproducts.com.au/catalogue_products.php?prodID=6702 I bought half a bag of Mary River Gravel today just to see how it would look in an aquarium, not too bad but I'm still unsure.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blocka Posted May 3, 2014 Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 Aquariums r us Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
