SO close to getting my 120g

[Suzie Q]

Ok, I almost have enough to get my 120g, but I am going to have to build my own stand (I guess, can't find one I like..got blue prints for one on internet). Anyway, I want my "gravel" to be natural looking (like sand). I need all suggestions on this. I found someone who will be sending me some Java Moss and Java ferns in a few weeks when they trim next time. I plan on having low light plants until I get better at caring for them (Java moss and fern for now). What is the best gravel/sand to get a "natural" look? I still haven't decided on non-aggressive or cichlids yet, so I also need to know if the "soil" for the plants makes a difference for the fish I choose.

Thanks Guys!

[carlrs]

There are a lot of natural gravels you can purchase at rock yards.
I prefer the standard #3 natural gravel with a layer of laterite and #1 sand or #00 sand around the plants roots.

I believe the size you get is important for both proper aerobic function without the build up of decay underneath and for plants roots, but what color or style is purely taste.
I recommend a rock yard as they often have several natural aggregates to choose from.

Carl

[bettachris]

well i saw a nice looking tank with some natural large gravel rocks and sand. while this might not be the best look for what u are going with. What is the stocking again, large cichlids, like severums and midas etc.... or smaller cichlids.

I currently found plant substrate to be great, given u use live plants, but it is generally expensive.

For a "more fake" look but still pleasing to look at, i recently started to mix natural rounded stones and black gravel. but again it might not be what ur looking for.

[carlrs]

Bettachris had some great suggestions.
In my private emails to Suzy Q, I mentioned using a layer of #00 sand (about 1/2") and mixing laterite in where the plants are. Then placing approx. 2-1/2" of #3 gravel on top. But Bettachris's suggestion is a great idea to spice up the upper layer of gravel, I also have used black gravel for this and also blue, in fact the tank in my bedroom has a mixture of blue gravel in it.

Carl
aquarium-answers.blogspot.com/

[bettachris]

i always went with a "natural" small gravel coloration, like brown mixtures etc... thats ok but it got boring, so i decided go with black gravel and it came out very well. personally i like black gravel and it does something for appeal, like it beings out the colors of the fish for something.

[Suzie Q]

BettaChris, I also have been trying to decide between the "natural" brown mixture, and black gravel...kinda torn between the two (also have a husband that has to put his opinion in) LOL just kidding, we will decide together (he has better decorating skills). I want live plants in the tank for the "all over" Natural look, but so far I suck at keeping live plants. I have read that Java moss and fern are the EASIEST to care for (we'll see), so I will stick with them for a while until I feel I can go with a less hearty/more expensive plant. I want to add driftwood and rocks for caves and such. I saw a picture of a school of neons w/other fish, and I really like that look, but then I see a tank full of blue and yellow cichlids and I like those also. I have NO experience with cichlids except working for Walmart for only 9 months, so I don't count that.

Keep the suggestions comming, I only have a few months to go! LOL...I am so excited!

[carlrs]

The cichlids you saw sound like African Cichlids, which a great, but this is all you will want if you go this route. African Cichlids can be hard on plants though.

Back to your gravel decisions, as Bettachris pointed out plain natural gravel can get boring. One thing I have done for customers is bring out samples of different colors (including natural mixes) and blend them in different ways so as to make a good decision before purchasing a lot of gravel.
The only colors I do not care for are the bright rainbow colors, but many of my Asian customers loved this.

Carl
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Basic_Aquarium_Principles.html

[Suzie Q]

carlrs said:

The cichlids you saw sound like African Cichlids, which a great, but this is all you will want if you go this route. African Cichlids can be hard on plants though.

Back to your gravel decisions, as Bettachris pointed out plain natural gravel can get boring. One thing I have done for customers is bring out samples of different colors (including natural mixes) and blend them in different ways so as to make a good decision before purchasing a lot of gravel.
The only colors I do not care for are the bright rainbow colors, but many of my Asian customers loved this.

Carl
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Basic_Aquarium_Principles.html

I'm sorry...yes african cichlids (should have said that...kinda know the names of cichlids), and I know they are hard on plants...zoos put them in the hippo exhibit to help keep the exhibit clean (they eat the hay that the hippo digestive tract did not digest YUCK!)...that is why I think I will go with the neons and such.

Now back to the gravel...I am leaning more to the black, because like BettaChris says, black seems to bring out the color of the fish (also, my background will be black or midnight blue...problem...all I have ever seen (walmart/petco/petsmart...I am deprived) is a mixture of black with a little bright purple in it...I don't mind that too much, but if I have neons (red), I think that purple color would greatly clash! Really, any bright colored fish would clash. I also don't like that "clown puke" gravel!!!

I also like the "mangrove" background that I have seen at my M&P (mom and pops) lps...it is the "natural" gray/brown color, but that would take away from the fish...I may use a "mangrove" (look) with the black rocks and background. I'm so confused