Gravels and Rocks

This knobbly looking white rock is a really good base for all sorts of aquatic set-ups. It usually comes initially from around the Indian Ocean area.

With it’s unusual shapes and labyrinth of holes it forms a natural environment for many species of fish……

Ideal for any freshwater tropical set-ups it provides a natural back drop in a live planted or artificially plant aquarium, many of the community species of tropical fish often come from rivers that have rocky out-crop areas. The hiding places that this sort of rock work provides helps them to retain their natural behaviour patterns.

It really comes into its own though with certain specialist species…..

A Cichlid set up, Lake Malawi, Tanganyikan or Central American, these fish absolutely love caves and ‘hidey holes’ this sort of rock work provides shelter, spawning facilities, and a general feeling of well-being. This sort of landscaping is a natural base for these species. Watch them thrive…..

Marine set-ups. This rock is also commonly known a ‘base rock’ not to be confused with Tuffa Rock which can slowly dissolve in water, certainly in a marine (salt water) environment, (for more info on Tuffa Rock see next section). Ocean rock can be used alone or as a base level for Live Rock which can be built on top of it.

 In this environment over a period of time it is possible for ocean base rock to become colonized with marine life forms.

Freshwater sand is an ideal substrate in the aquarium if used with either an internal power filter or an external canister type filter. It is not however in our opinion suitable for use with an under gravel filtration plate.

This sand is a fine soft sand that is the perfect substrate for certain fish species such as corydoras, all members of the loach family, elephant nose, eels and the many types of synodontis and other cat fish varieties.

Plants also thrive as the soft media helps roots spread rapidly, so growth is plentiful.

Sand is an easily maintained substrate, as it is so much denser than gravel detritus (fish waste etc.) tends to stay on the surface this can easily be siphoned of using a feathering motion with a gravel cleaner (see our Aquarium Cleaner section), or piece of tubing.

Coral sand is the ideal media for the marine aquarium. It is made up of as the name suggests coral that has been finely crushed. It can be used alone or with a gravel tidy (in our Marine Accessories section) over a bed of coral gravel to form under gravel filtration…..

It is also a good substrate for tropical fish that require a higher level of pH in the water, such as certain types of Cichlid species.

Natural pea gravel is pre washed and specially graded for the home aquarium. It is an inert substrate media that works well in all freshwater set-ups. It is also an ideal substrate for live plants….

 For use with an under gravel filtration  plate or just as a base covering to use with an internal or external canister filter…..

With an under gravel filtration plate we recommend that you need at least two inches of gravel as the gravel itself becomes the biological filter media, harboring all the good bacteria that your aquarium needs to stay healthy.

To keep your gravel free flowing it is advisable to clean it about every two-three weeks with a gravel cleaner (see our Aquarium Cleaner section)…..

Tuffa rock is a white dense but yet soft rock that can be sculpted with a little care into various shapes. It is not really suitable for the freshwater aquarium. It can be used in a marine set up but not in great quantities as it will over time slowly start to dissolve.  

The best and most popular use for this rock is for the ancient art of cultivating Japanese Bonsai.

This pretty pinky coloured gravel is mixed with small shells and coral. It is suitable for most aquariums.