henward Posted October 12, 2008 Report Share Posted October 12, 2008 I am wondering what is easier to clean? Big stones as substrate. Stones the size of big marbles ranging to size of eggs OR your average small gravel maybe slightly smaller than the size of peas. I have recently put big stones at the bottom of my aro tank, i found that when i syphoned the bottom, It was harder to take the crap out, and it seemed like there was more crap to take as opposed to when it was a finer smalle gravel. Is this my imagination or is this because it is harder to clean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted October 12, 2008 Report Share Posted October 12, 2008 smaller gravel does not allow the muck to penetrate too far bigger stones will allow muck to filter down to base bigger stones with an under gravel filter with big canister filter on the uplifts may require less in tank cleaning IMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henward Posted October 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2008 yeah thats what i found but i thought it was my imagination damnit! bigger stones look so nice! it has this MONSTER feel to it. but it is harder to keep clean!!! i just wanted someone to giv eme the same conclusion. Will have to change it:( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmsmith Posted October 12, 2008 Report Share Posted October 12, 2008 I used to have small stones but changed to sand. I found that sand is much easier, you can see all the crap sitting on top, and the fish tend to stir it up so it can get sucked up by the filter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henward Posted October 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2008 yeah, i will switch to a finder substrate, sandish type, dark colour. man! that sucks whereis the best place to buy this? i find that pet shops are expensive. where is the best place to buy this stuff? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted October 12, 2008 Report Share Posted October 12, 2008 bigger stones with an under gravel filter with big canister filter on the uplifts may require less in tank cleaning IMO works well on my jardini tank never have to clean the substrate just the canister filter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmsmith Posted October 12, 2008 Report Share Posted October 12, 2008 whereis the best place to buy this? i find that pet shops are expensive. where is the best place to buy this stuff? The beach....just don't get caught Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandysme Posted October 12, 2008 Report Share Posted October 12, 2008 I got silica sand at placemakers, cost about $30 but enough for a 4-5ft tank.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spoon Posted October 12, 2008 Report Share Posted October 12, 2008 is that the white silica sand 40kg for around $35 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ant N Posted October 13, 2008 Report Share Posted October 13, 2008 Have you considered "under gravel jets" as a way of moving waste out from between the rocks? Maybe dumb idea, might work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted October 13, 2008 Report Share Posted October 13, 2008 I disagree with all the people who say sand is easier to clean. I find its harder to clean because you can't siphon it as easily to suck up all the muck. 3-6mm gravel is easier to clean IMO as you can give it a good thorough going over with the gravel siphon with out loosing half your substrate. Coarser than that looks bad IMO. Bare bottom or tiles is the way to go if you really want easy to clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldogod Posted October 13, 2008 Report Share Posted October 13, 2008 Stone and water world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpk Posted October 17, 2008 Report Share Posted October 17, 2008 I have been told that filter sand is the way to go like the stuff pool filters use will not affect water quality (ph etc)so I suppose pool shop maybe ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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