Q&A for How to Prepare Fish Tank Gravel

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What colors should I choose if I have Oscars?

Community Answer

It's up to you. Black and orange stones would match the scheme of your fish, but it's really up to you and your own aesthetic.

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Question

Can I keep a stone from the road in my tank?

Community Answer

I do not really recommend it but yes, you can put a stone from the road if you wash it very well and dry it. I recommend buying rocks in aquarium pet shops.

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Question

I didn't rinse the gravel and now the water is cloudy. Can I just keep removing the water daily, or do I have to take all the gravel out?

Community Answer

It's up to you, but I think it would be easier to just empty the tank, rinse the gravel, and re-fill it rather than change the water daily.

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Question

How long should I boil gravel from my garden to prepare it for my fish tank?

Community Answer

Wait until the water starts to steam. Then let it boil for about five minutes. This will be enough time to kill the bacteria that may be harmful to your fish.

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Question

I added new stone to my tank. I washed it, and placed in tank with new water. All the fish quickly died. I threw out the stone, washed the tank thoroughly, replaced the water and added a new stone. Fish died again. Why?

Community Answer

If you used any soap, that would be what killed the fish.

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Question

I've got some decorative gravel in different colors. How can I make it safe for my fish?

Lily

Community Answer

Make sure the gravel isn't sharp around the edges. Be sure to boil it to remove harmful substances.

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Question

I just bought a bubble stone, soaked it for over an hour in the water, plugged it in and just a small section is actually producing bubbles. Why?

Caeiia

Top Answerer

This may mean your pump is not strong enough to produce the air needed to create a strong stream of bubbles. Position the pump correctly and make sure water has not been sucked up.

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Question

I have a 55 gallon and I'm getting a 180 gallon soon. Do you have any tips on transferring the water and the fish to the bigger tank ?

Community Answer

Put the fish in a small cup, pour the water in the bigger tank, add more water, let it get to room tempature, then add the fish by putting the cup in the water.

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Question

Is it necessary to have a bubble stone in the tank?

Emmylou Pruitt

Community Answer

It is only necessary if the filter is not creating enough circulation in the tank. A bubbler helps add oxygen into the water and keep things from settling into the bottom of the tank.

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Question

Do I have to boil the strore bought gravel or just clean it with the chlorine remover?

Community Answer

Just wash it. You don't need chlorine remover for it and you don't need to boil it.

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Question

I didn't rinse my gravel as the store associate said I could just put it in. So I did but it was cloudy at first, but then the filter made it less cloudy.

Community Answer

There are a few reasons why the water may have become cloudy. The associate was right in saying that you didn't (have) to rinse the gravel, but for future reference, just to be on the safe side, it never hurts to rinse it. The water probably became cloudy because of the way you added the water. One way to prevent the water from becoming cloudy, is to pour the water in very, very slowly and onto a flat surface within the tank itself, such as a flat part of your hardscape. The key is to add the water as slowly, and gently as possible, always avoiding pouring the water directly onto your aquarium substrate.

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