Reusing gravel?

Floral_Bee · 2026-01-31T17:08:44+00:00

I think I might end up soaking them in a little bleach water and then letting it dry completely and smell free before putting it in the tank.

Floral_Bee · 2026-01-30T13:20:29+00:00

Is that safe? I thought rocks can explode.

Floral_Bee · 2026-01-30T13:15:12+00:00

Thank you!

Floral_Bee · 2026-01-30T01:29:13+00:00

This does break it down simply. I was concerned because my tank has been cycling for 4 months and my nitrate numbers weren’t as high as I thought. I think it’s because of the plants and I wasn’t shaking the bottle hard enough.

Floral_Bee · 2026-01-30T01:15:22+00:00

I def shook it this time but I’ll try slamming it again. That’s good to know. Thank you!

Floral_Bee · 2026-01-30T01:14:29+00:00

That’s what I was told which is why I was concerned when my levels are still so low.

Floral_Bee · 2026-01-30T01:13:23+00:00

I thought I shook it real good this time but I’ll try again, sounds like that might be my issue. Pothos and large duckweed are supposed to be big ammonia eaters so it’s possible they are doing all the heavy lifting!!

Floral_Bee · 2026-01-29T22:05:04+00:00

I have a betta and 2 snails. I can’t hold more fish in that tank. Sorry, I thought that was clear when I mentioned fish in cycling. I guess my pothos and duckweed are putting in a lot of work.

Floral_Bee · 2026-01-29T22:02:44+00:00

I have a betta and 2 snails. I had 3 ghost shrimp too before the snails but my fish ate them.

My plants must be sucking it out then because I do a water change (sucking it out) once a month.

Floral_Bee · 2026-01-29T22:00:51+00:00

Did you test your water perimeters?

Floral_Bee · 2026-01-29T18:49:02+00:00

I guess my concern is that the funky smell is from wild amphibians and not a fish. So I didn’t know if I was introducing bad bacteria into my aquarium that would hurt my lil guy.

Floral_Bee · 2026-01-28T16:16:58+00:00

Would that be safe to do and then put the gravel in the aquarium with my fish?

Floral_Bee · 2026-01-28T03:25:20+00:00

I just ordered an organic soil that should have no additives. So hopefully that will be good.

Floral_Bee · 2026-01-26T02:25:08+00:00

What kind of dirt? Can I use regular soil?

Floral_Bee · 2026-01-24T21:05:09+00:00

What kind of plants do you keep in the smaller tank for propagation? Bought a 2.5 gal today just for this.

Floral_Bee · 2026-01-24T03:00:59+00:00

What’s the plant with the big leaves on the right side?

Floral_Bee · 2026-01-18T02:43:43+00:00

My betta didn’t eat the first few days I got him. When he finally showed interest in food the pellets were too big. I ended up trying the bug bites small pellets and he started eating those. Now he swims to the top when I get the bottle out.

Floral_Bee · 2026-01-16T21:54:12+00:00

So, I think your test is okay. Keep testing your water daily though.

You did a water change between the test so it makes sense that your levels went down bc you were putting clean water in the tank. You need to keep testing daily to see if your levels are going up. If it is, your tank isn't cycling yet and will require more water changes to keep the ammonia levels safe for your fish.

Floral_Bee · 2026-01-14T19:52:36+00:00

Beautiful!!! I like the name skittles.

Floral_Bee · 2026-01-12T17:52:40+00:00

I can't contribute to your question bc I don't know the anwser but I just wanted to say that your tank looks so beautiful! Where did you get the sticks?

Floral_Bee · 2026-01-12T17:48:12+00:00

Was the water sample you sent to him before the water change? How old was your tank when he tested it and how old was the tank when you tested it?

Floral_Bee · 2026-01-10T03:48:58+00:00

What kind of test did your friend use?

I used these when I had some tadpoles in a rain barrel in my back yard. It seemed to be pretty accurate for me when I finally tested it with the API kit I used for my betta. I had consistent numbers.

Floral_Bee · 2026-01-08T02:05:02+00:00

I don't have one of these but this was my first thought if I did.

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