Garden Pea Gravel from Lowe's?

[PattyCakes81]

Hi, ACers!

I work at Lowe's and was wondering if a garden pea gravel we sell would be safe for the aquarium?
The link to the item on Lowes.com is:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_92130-66882...catorDisplayView&selectedLocalStoreBeanArray=

PattyCakes

 

[Rbishop]

I can work without issues...but get the smallest size available. Larger sizes allow uneaten food and waste to be trapped. If you want cory, I would suggest a sand bed...

 

[PattyCakes81]

I can work without issues...but get the smallest size available. Larger sizes allow uneaten food and waste to be trapped. If you want cory, I would suggest a sand bed...

Hi, Rbishop!

Its about the size of sweet peas, you know the little ones! I thought a sand bed would problematic with filters. Is a sand bed good for plants.

PattyCakes

 

[Rbishop]

Sand is perfectly okay for plants. Rinse the snad wellbefore putting in tank. As long as your filter suctions are 2-3" off the surface of it you shouldn't have any issues.

 

[FishVixen]

I use it to top potting soil in mt NPT. Been using it for years with no problem.

 

[rstrobel]

I used it in my 55g for a while but had some issues with it. I had massive diatom blooms and waste would build up under the gravel. Ever since switching to sand I haven't had any issues. If you do decide to use it then I would suggest putting sand underneath the gravel and then a fine layer of gravel on top of the sand.

 

[AquatiCreations]

I use it over the top of my sand to prevent diggers from pulling up my plants, but wouldn't recommend it as a standalone substrate too much waste accumulates in it.

 

[FishVixen]

You can always mix it with aquarium gravel or sand to fill in the gaps.

 

[H2Ogal]

Sand is perfectly okay for plants. Rinse the snad wellbefore putting in tank. As long as your filter suctions are 2-3" off the surface of it you shouldn't have any issues.

Agreed. You can always add a prefilter sponge to the intake, just to be on the safe side.

 

[wespastor]

I use a paver sand in my planted tank and it covers a soil bed. work great for me at about five months now.

Best wishes,
Wes