Finer black gravel substrate?

[CarpCharacin]

I used to have my Electric Blue Haps in a 75 gallon tank with Black Diamond Blasting Sand, and I liked the look of that, but the haps would dig in the sand, and the sand kept getting sucked into the filters and stopping the impellers. That 75 gallon tank leaked out a few months ago, and I just got them a new 55 gallon tank, but I don't currently have any substrate in that tank, so I was wondering if anyone knew of maybe some finer black gravel that looks good, but that isn't as fine as the sand and that won't get sucked into the filter. I typically don't like the look of gravel, but I think that if I can find some that looks good, it will look better than having no substrate at all.

 

[Seedy J]

I use Carib Sea Tahitian Moon Sand in my 55g Lake Malawi tank. It's only been up and running for 5 months but I haven't had any problems with it getting sucked into my filters (Marineland Penguin 350 and Magnum 350), and I use a circulation pump too.

https://www.amazon.com/Carib-Sea-ACS00821-Tahitian-Aquarium/dp/B007R55QUU/ (it was actually cheaper at my LFS too!)

 

[CarpCharacin]

I have heard of that sand, but the haps like to dig in the sand, and AquaClear filters don't do good with sand. I haven't had a problem with the Black Diamond sand in one of my tanks with a canister filter, but it doesn't play well with the AquaClear filters. That's why I'm looking for some fine black gravel, but not sand because that's too fine.

 

[Jexnell]

Simple easy fix. Go buy a AC50 sponge, cut it in half. Hollow out a bit of sponge for the intake to fit.
I had an Oscar that lived to creat sand storms by swimming against the front glass with all her might. This simple prefilter fixed the issue, just have to clean it every couple days

 

[CarpCharacin]

Simple easy fix. Go buy a AC50 sponge, cut it in half. Hollow out a bit of sponge for the intake to fit.
I had an Oscar that lived to creat sand storms by swimming against the front glass with all her might. This simple prefilter fixed the issue, just have to clean it every couple days View attachment 1340033 View attachment 1340034

I've done that when the haps were in the 75 with sand, and sand still gets through. I think I'm done with sand in the tank with the haps.

 

[Jexnell]

This may fit the bill

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petco...ate/imagitarium-frosted-black-aquarium-gravel

 

[CarpCharacin]

Thanks, that looks like it might work.

 

[Joshomaru]

https://www.google.com/search?q=nat...biw=412&bih=718&dpr=2.63#imgrc=e2HK5jjihkoOLM

I bought this "national geographic" brand black gravel for my Africans (peacocks, Ndiwi Fire hap and Electric Blue Ahli hap). I like it because it's small enough that they can still sift and dig and rearrange and not small enough to muck up the water.

 

[CarpCharacin]

https://www.google.com/search?q=nat...biw=412&bih=718&dpr=2.63#imgrc=e2HK5jjihkoOLM

I bought this "national geographic" brand black gravel for my Africans (peacocks, Ndiwi Fire hap and Electric Blue Ahli hap). I like it because it's small enough that they can still sift and dig and rearrange and not small enough to muck up the water.
View attachment 1340036

I like the look of that gravel. Is this it? https://www.petsmart.com/fish/decor...aphicandtrade-aquarium-substrate-5208903.html

 

[Joshomaru]

That's the stuff!