I just picked up a 22lb. bag of gravel. It looks pretty similar to marine gravel. Small white pebbles, most are porous. It says on the bag "safe for any aquarium" I'm kinda worried its gonna screw up my ph and kill my plants. Does anyone else use gravel like this?
2007-03-15 18:41:40 · 10 answers · asked by max_cw 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
Test your gravel first. Put a few drops of vinegar (an acid) on it. If the gravel bubbles (fizzes), it's calcium carbonate, in which case it will probably raise your pH. This should only be used for saltwater, cichlids, or fish requiring pH above 8.0.
Just make a hole small enough to get one piece out, if you haven't opened the bag already.
2007-03-15 20:42:56 · answer #1 · answered by copperhead 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I agree with Copperhead here. Also, it should tell you on the bag what kind of rock it is (and where it came from).
Just because it states "Safe for any aquarium" doesn't mean it is. Use the vinegar, if you are running a tank with higher PH required fish, depending on your water at home (Hardness) it could also be safe. IE if your water at home has a GH of 75 and your fish need a higher PH, this gravel will work well. However, if your GH (General Hardness) of the water you are using is 150 (Hard - 300 Very hard) you may want to reconsider the rock.
If you have already opened the bag, using a glass, put around an inch of gravel in the bottom and fill with the water you are using. Wait appx 1 hour and test the water tosee what your ph readings are. This should give you a good idea.
It is nice to know that someone realizes the type of gravel does play a role on the PH levels of your tank.
There are river gravels that look porus but are not. It is always best to check. Good luck.
2007-03-15 23:16:49 · answer #2 · answered by danielle Z 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Porus doesn't sound good to me. Use glass marbles or rocks or pea gravel. Pea gravel is hard and round, basically river rock, that is much more suitable I think. You know you don't have to use gravel right? You can leave the tank bottom bare are almost bare if you like. There are a few advantages to doing so. 1. It's easier to keep clean. 2. Your fish can move over a little substrate to get to the food so it doesn't rot in the tank. 3. Water volume will be higher without it. Just a suggestion.
2007-03-16 05:18:01 · answer #3 · answered by Sunday P 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hi, the two is stable with a pair of things to keep in mind. Aquarium sand is superb for the fish to grub around in yet desires somewhat extra care in cleansing than gravel. with regard to the gravel it extremely is optimal to apply considered one of various gentle, around 3mm varieties. it is because of the fact the tough, pea-sized gravels modern an particularly real threat to the fish as they might get caught of their mouths & choke them. Goldfish are actually not 'Coldwater' fish in the honor they do no longer do nicely in icy water. Neither are they actually 'tropical' so it is no longer stable to blend them with those varieties. an appropriate temperature variety is everywhere between sixty 9 to 78F ie 'room temperature'.
2016-10-02 05:13:12 · answer #4 · answered by curcio 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just have to agree with the previous answers about pre-testing any pH change the new gravel will cause before you put it in your tank. its amazing how much difference a change in substrate can make on your pH if you aren't paying careful attention to the components!
2007-03-16 05:18:10 · answer #5 · answered by scampyfan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as you rinse it well enough it should be okay. The main benefit to marine gravel is the color and smoothness. If you have goldfish marine gravel is the best because they pick at the gravel all the time and jagged rocks will cut their mouths. Other than that rocks are rocks! I usually prefer the marine gravel because it comes in every color and is fairly inexpensive! Make sure you rinse ALL gravel thouroughly!!!!!
2007-03-15 18:53:45 · answer #6 · answered by Mommy to Boys 6 · 0⤊ 4⤋
It will be okay. just wash the rocks carefully in warm water. don't use any cleaning solutions, as that may contaminate the tank water and cause your fish to die
2007-03-16 12:58:58 · answer #7 · answered by Jessica** 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would take your rock and put them into a bucket and fill it up with some bleach water let it soak, and than wash it very well, like really good than put them back in the water, I have experience with this, I have plants as well with turtles.
2007-03-15 19:16:54 · answer #8 · answered by outlawsgirlnot4u 1 · 0⤊ 4⤋
no this will not hurt your ph in fact it might help it i use it in some of my aquariums they are fine
2007-03-15 20:37:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
wash it thoroughly with warm water and put it through a strainer so all small particles leave and you will be fine
2007-03-15 19:11:11 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋