substrate idea?

mrmts · 11-21-2005, 05:29 AM

ive had this idea for some time now. I have alot of extra slate tiles(clean) lying around and was wondering if it would be a good idea to grind them up into a fine substrate, using a rock tumbler. I was wondering if it would affect the water params. in a big way especially if kept as a sole subsrate for live plants, possibly with other small fish(neons guppies etc.).

thx in advance!

**Damon** · 11-21-2005, 09:08 AM

I don't see why the material's chemical makeup would be a problem, but the sharp edges will cause quite a bit of problems.

DavidDoyle · 11-21-2005, 02:37 PM

Figure doing that will only end up costing you about 3-4 times what aquarium gravel does. I don't inderstand what the point of doing this is even if cost was not an issue?

mrmts · 11-22-2005, 04:09 AM

well considering i have about 4 boxes of broken and cut tiles(roomate is a tile setter) and i could easily fashion a rock tumbler with a bucket and motor(from backyard), as well as i could use electricty from work, Id have to say my total cost would be... $0
I didnt ask weather i should do it or not, i was asking if there would be any consequences with using slate as a sole substrate for plants.

flamingo · 11-22-2005, 05:33 AM

If it's just plants in there than it might be fine, if it's with fish like simpte said it'll be a problem.

There will be no effect on your water using it.

**Cichlid Man** · 11-22-2005, 06:51 AM

Neons would be fine, I'll be a bit catious with the with the guppies long fins though.

**Damon** · 11-22-2005, 10:25 AM

You didn't mention that you were using this substrate for a planted tank. It not a good idea. It would almost be impossible to get the grain size you would want for a planted tank (1-2mm) and slate doesn't have much (if any) cation exchange capacity.

mrmts · 11-22-2005, 02:52 PM

excellent thank you, that would be the answer i was looking for

**Damon** · 11-22-2005, 09:55 PM

Glad we could help.

11-21-2005, 05:29 AM	#1
mrmts Junior Member Join Date: May 2005 Age: 28 Posts: 6	substrate idea? ive had this idea for some time now. I have alot of extra slate tiles(clean) lying around and was wondering if it would be a good idea to grind them up into a fine substrate, using a rock tumbler. I was wondering if it would affect the water params. in a big way especially if kept as a sole subsrate for live plants, possibly with other small fish(neons guppies etc.). thx in advance!

11-21-2005, 09:08 AM	#2
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	I don't see why the material's chemical makeup would be a problem, but the sharp edges will cause quite a bit of problems. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

11-22-2005, 05:33 AM	#5
flamingo One Word: Croutons. Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Wisconsin Age: 17 Posts: 1,897	If it's just plants in there than it might be fine, if it's with fish like simpte said it'll be a problem. There will be no effect on your water using it. __________________ If you put "u" instead of typing out the actual, shocking, three letter word... i'm not going to read your ramblings. I'm so behind it's not even funny.

11-22-2005, 06:51 AM	#6
Cichlid Man Super moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,100	Neons would be fine, I'll be a bit catious with the with the guppies long fins though. __________________ If you have a big enough tank with enough hiding places, pH of around 7, you can keep virtually any fish together as long as all the fish are around the same size and these two groups of fish are avioded: Serrasalmus Tetradon(figure eights and dwarfs are the exception). I keep a successful community of fish in a 4 foot tank including the following families: Cichlids, tetras, loaches, gouramis, barbs, rainbows, livebearers, killiefish, catfish, puffers.

11-22-2005, 10:25 AM	#7
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	You didn't mention that you were using this substrate for a planted tank. It not a good idea. It would almost be impossible to get the grain size you would want for a planted tank (1-2mm) and slate doesn't have much (if any) cation exchange capacity. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

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11-21-2005, 02:37 PM	#3
DavidDoyle Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Age: 89 Posts: 497	Figure doing that will only end up costing you about 3-4 times what aquarium gravel does. I don't inderstand what the point of doing this is even if cost was not an issue?

11-22-2005, 04:09 AM	#4
mrmts Junior Member Join Date: May 2005 Age: 28 Posts: 6	well considering i have about 4 boxes of broken and cut tiles(roomate is a tile setter) and i could easily fashion a rock tumbler with a bucket and motor(from backyard), as well as i could use electricty from work, Id have to say my total cost would be... $0 I didnt ask weather i should do it or not, i was asking if there would be any consequences with using slate as a sole substrate for plants.

11-22-2005, 02:52 PM	#8
mrmts Junior Member Join Date: May 2005 Age: 28 Posts: 6	excellent thank you, that would be the answer i was looking for

11-22-2005, 09:55 PM	#9
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	Glad we could help. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

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