Getting hold of dark substrate

BVS · Post by **BVS** » 24 Nov 2004, 14:53

Alright there.
I'm currently using fairly common light-coloured sand and gravel in my Cory tank. I would like, however, to change to substrate with a darker hue.
I can get hold of black glass-gravel, but it is very spikey and wouldn't be good for barbels at all, although it's about the right grain size. Has anyone come across darker smooth sands and ~3mm gravel? If so I don't suppose you could tell me which brand and where you got it (preferably UK in that case..)? I've seen one or two reasonable offerings on-line, but I'd prefer recommendations from who've coped with the delicate barbles of prime Corys

Cheers,
Greg

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 24 Nov 2004, 15:18

Well, there's a possibility that you could get some black sand, for example from one of the islands near Naples in Italy. They have "Volcanic sand" which is quite dark, and it's "beach-sand", so it's fairly rounded.

As to where you could actually buy it, I haven't got a clue. So not much help really.

--
Mats

Dave Rinaldo · Post by **Dave Rinaldo** » 24 Nov 2004, 15:37

Hi!

I don't know if you can get this product in Europe. I use Black Beach Gravel #2 in all my tanks.

BVS · Post by **BVS** » 24 Nov 2004, 17:37

Thank you both very much. I wish you low nitrate levels.

By chance I have found that a place here (animal-house) does indeed supply Black Beach, but whether tis #1 or #2 it doesn't say. It costs Â£12.99 for 20lbs, but I think I'll give it a go anyway

. Thanks again for the advice. Mind you, if anyone else has suggestions I'm still listening!
I've looked at some American sites and found you have a much wider choice of gravels, although I dare say many are too garish for my (and perhaps my fishes') taste. I find shops here sell plenty of yellowish or grey stuff, or else almost pebble sized and of little use to me.

We're off to see the gravel, the wonderful gravel of....