I think it would look nice, but considering pleco fish are nocturnal, it might disturb them. Im not a fish expert so Im unsure.
Is neon gravel safe for fish?
- Thread starter Sir Saltiness
- Start date
From my understanding the retina of a fish’s eye contains two types of cells: cones and rods. Cones are used for day vision and are the cells that discern color. Rods are used for night vision and cannot distinguish colors, although they can discern light. As such I don't think the color of the gravel would be as important at night as it is during the day. The fact that fish see in color means they more then likely respond to visual cues including color and without knowing how I'd be hesitant to go with any kind of decor that is far off from what they might see in their natural environment. IMHO that is.
I would be more concerned that neon gravel might have an artificial coating on it, because a pleco may suck on the rocks.
Tifftastic
"With your powers combined . . ."
My concern would be the coating as well. These coatings tend to fall off and peel after just a few months in the water
Sand or off colored gravel. Colored stuff will reflect off of the light, if too bright, and your fish will find areas that are darker to hang out in, and you will see them less.
Based on experience with the epoxy coated gravel, I have to agree with Tifftastic. Every colored gravel I've ever had ends up peeling within 3 months, which is why I paid a bit more for the CaribSea sand for my 180g.
In regards to the question of neon gravel, a lot of it is now marketed for GloFish tanks - IF said fish are legal in your location. The neon colors "glow" under the blue lights that come in the GloFish aquarium kits. And yes, it does look pretty cool.
In regards to the question of neon gravel, a lot of it is now marketed for GloFish tanks - IF said fish are legal in your location. The neon colors "glow" under the blue lights that come in the GloFish aquarium kits. And yes, it does look pretty cool.
3 months? You must of purchased some of lowest quality gravel available, even with plecs I would expect closer to 3 years+ for most epoxy coated gravel.
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Petsmart/Petco house brands. Aesthetically I prefer a dark substrate, which is why I now use black sand. I have found it easier to work with. My sister prefers gravel, so it's in her tanks. She has a GloFish tank.
Back in the day of undergravel filters, I used gravel. The colored stuff would end up peeling, so I started using natural colors. It's also epoxy coated, but since it's clear epoxy over natural colors, it's next it impossible to tell if the coating is peeling. When I used black gravel, the coating would come off faster due to vigorous stirring of the gravel in order to remove the accumulated debris.
Back in the day of undergravel filters, I used gravel. The colored stuff would end up peeling, so I started using natural colors. It's also epoxy coated, but since it's clear epoxy over natural colors, it's next it impossible to tell if the coating is peeling. When I used black gravel, the coating would come off faster due to vigorous stirring of the gravel in order to remove the accumulated debris.
I agree darker substrates are my preference in most situations but even Petcos sand is epoxy coated, granted Caribsea is a much better choice
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