My New Gravel.

[Shaun]

Hi guys, have been doing some tests with gravel as I like the Idea of BB, but prefer the look of gravel, but don't like it been blown all over the place. This one looks to work the best it is gravel mixed with silicon, thus making a solid piece of "gravel"

Please give comments. Will it work or not. pro's and con's. Good Idea bad Idea,...

 

[gaz19]

pros:
wont get blown around
wont cover coral
if done in pieces you can remove them, scrubb them and place back if cleaning is needed.

cons:
wont host any pods
no jawfish or borrowing gobys or wrasses.
wont be as effective filter wise, wont host to much bacteria. then again a ssb doesnt host to much bacteria either.

these are just my points and opinions

 

[Mekaeel]

Seems interesting! Gaz has pretty much covered the pros and cons of it.
My choice BB though

 

[SIMS]

Nice idea!

 

[gaz19]

how are you planning to do this to the whole tank may i ask? i was thinking of doing this to one small section on my tank but just changed the flow.

 

[Shaun]

how are you planning to do this to the whole tank may i ask? i was thinking of doing this to one small section on my tank but just changed the flow.

Remove everything.
One more advantage of having gravel is when you drop something, my silicon one is rubbery so will also work.

 

[Warr7207]

Imagine things bouncing around in your tank

 

[Shaun]

Imagine things bouncing around in your tank

No, but I have dropped a pump in my sump before, cracked the bottom.

 

[Warr7207]

No, but I have dropped a pump in my sump before, cracked the bottom.

Ouch

 

[Mekaeel]

No, but I have dropped a pump in my sump before, cracked the bottom.

Ok,enough now,you making me skrik

 

[sunburst]

Yea Gaz flattened the core issues. Sand definitely has a far better appearance. However In your pic, it looks as though the silicone has peeled off the base. This would worry me.

 

[Shaun]

It is like a mat. Silicon and gravel is mixed. Just sits on top of the glass. The silicon is used as a cement to glue the gravel together, and after it has dried I just put it in the tank.

 

[sunburst]

I would have smeared the silicone on the tank bottom and the added silica. Spaces under the matt in time will accumulate sludge.

 

[Shaun]

I would have smeared the silicone on the tank bottom and the added silica. Spaces under the matt in time will accumulate sludge.

Did think of that, but then I would have to drain the tank,and then let the silicon dry.

This way you can just pick up the "mat" and clean it. It is also water proof, not to sure if the is a good or bad thing.

 

[sunburst]

Cool. You can then check how much gunk actually does accumulate.

 

[gaz19]

how you going to stop it from moving around?
what if the current "picks" it up and it breaks your monti's?
just a thought

 

[Shaun]

If is breaks the monti, I will just toss the bits away.

 

[gaz19]

If is breaks the monti, I will just toss the bits away into your tank

you to kind