Pea Gravel / Crushed Marble

[joeytoe]

Ive seen that people have used Play Sand from Home Depot in tanks. So this me asking this may be redundant.

Would Pea Gravel or crushed marble be safe for substrate (after its washed) like Play sand???????

 

[softturtle]

pea gravel is great for tanks.
crushed marble I'm not sure but I don't see why not. Anyone else know about marble.

 

[Oddball]

Crushed marble contains calcite that dissolves in acidic conditions. Once the water reaches neutral pH no more calcite will dissolve. The marble is safe to use in aquariums. However, you don't want to use it with species that prefer any acidity in their water (discus, angels, etc).

 

[joeytoe]

Cool thanks Guys, now I have a use for a extra bag left over from the patio I recently finished. I threw the crushed marble in there cause my girlfriend would like a tank with white substrate in it an other than play sand crushed marble is the only other white rock I can get quickly an cheap.

Does or would calcite have any Ill effects to fish? Ive never dealt with it so Im not sure?

 

[Oddball]

landscaping marble acts to neutralize acidic water and hardens the water through the leeching of calcite. You don't want to keep any soft water or acidic water species in a tank with marble chips.

 

[redtailfool]

and make sure you dont have cats or bottom dwellers that are sensitive
to marbles jagged edges.

 

[joeytoe]

Ok thanks Oddball an redtailfool. Ill remember that if I do end up getting crushed Marble.

 

[HarleyK]

Howdy,

I completely agree with everyone here: Marble is of no use if you want to keep a soft or medium hardness water tank. Be prepared to get real hard water! It'll be fine for swordtails or sailfin mollies, also brackish water. But don't plan on neons, other tetras or anything from the amazon for that metter. Also, as redtailfool pointed out, crushed substrate of any kind has sharp edges and cannot be used with any bottom dwellers.

If your girl wants white substrate, I recommend quartz. That's inert and safe and pretty. It won't mess with your water chemistry, just in case you come across that one fish that you want to get and that doesn't deal with hard water well.

HarleyK

 

[joeytoe]

If your girl wants white substrate, I recommend quartz. That's inert and safe and pretty. It won't mess with your water chemistry, just in case you come across that one fish that you want to get and that doesn't deal with hard water well.

HarleyK

Cool thanks Ill remember that.