Glass or river rocks?

Congaken · Mar 28, 2017

hi, guys...set up my 30 QT...cycling now...like to put in a neutral, non absorbent substrate to add more area for bacteria to settle and help it look a little better...what about 1. glass pebbles...2. commercial river rock gravel...3. acrylic covered rock pebbles...?...any other suggestions...TU...

AllSignsPointToFish · Mar 28, 2017

I'd say the glass or acrylic-covered are the best bet. The river rocks can still be porous and potentially absorb medications from the water. Keep in mind any substrate may collect detritus and uneaten food, making it difficult to control ammonia in a cycling quarantine tank.

recess62 · Mar 28, 2017

Go bare bottom. Keep a sponge in your DT that you will use to help cycle. Keep it simple

Congaken · Mar 28, 2017

AllSignsPointToFish said:
I'd say the glass or acrylic-covered are the best bet. The river rocks can still be porous and potentially absorb medications from the water. Keep in mind any substrate may collect detritus and uneaten food, making it difficult to control ammonia in a cycling quarantine tank.

You think acrylic is no problem?...

AllSignsPointToFish · Mar 28, 2017

Congaken said:
You think acrylic is no problem?...

They make tanks out of acrylic, so I don't see why it would be an issue. As far as I know, there is also no reason one couldn't set up a quarantine in an acrylic tank.

Congaken · Mar 28, 2017

AllSignsPointToFish said:
They make tanks out of acrylic, so I don't see why it would be an issue. As far as I know, there is also no reason one couldn't set up a quarantine in an acrylic tank.

yeah...but in this case the acrylic is painted onto the rocks...they're not acrylic rocks...difference?

Congaken · Mar 28, 2017

recess62 said:
Go bare bottom. Keep a sponge in your DT that you will use to help cycle. Keep it simple

AllSignsPointToFish · Mar 28, 2017

Congaken said:
yeah...but in this case the acrylic is painted onto the rocks...they're not acrylic rocks...difference?

Yeah, then they're just rocks with acrylic paint on them. I'd stay away from those.

Congaken · Apr 1, 2017

AllSignsPointToFish said:
Yeah, then they're just rocks with acrylic paint on them. I'd stay away from those.

got some beautiful, cobalt blue, glass things...gives the QT a bit of look appeal and the bacteria has more to cling on to...

AllSignsPointToFish · Apr 1, 2017

pictures??

Congaken · Apr 1, 2017

AllSignsPointToFish said:
pictures??

Am expecting some plastic gorgonians and mushrooms from EBay...takes a while from China...as soon as I get them...I'll shoot a picture...soaked my sponge in a qt. of FritzZyme9 live bacteria...really worked great...poured it all in after the hour's soaking...(Meredith's idea)...

brought ammonia from 2 separate cocktail shrimp down to 0 in just a few days...