[Firestarter]

I am wondering is there any long term problems that I may have with gravel with high mineral content. It kinda smells like a cross between pond water and garden soil when I smell the water.

 

[lauraleellbp]

Sounds like it would be a challenge to maintain stable water parameters. Do you know what the gravel is made of?

 

[Firestarter]

Looks like a mixture of about just about everything.

 

[lauraleellbp]

I'd skip it, doesn't sound like it's really suitable for aquarium use since you don't know what's in it.

 

[Firestarter]

I am justexperimenting so I am going to continue using it and see what happens.

 

[lauraleellbp]

I'd keep a close eye on your water parameters, especially if you've got any livestock in the tank.

 

[Firestarter]

No livestock right now while I am experimenting. When I can get some test strips I will test the tank. Are there any test strips that test more than one parameter kinda like for a pool. I am not too worried because I have had the same gravel in a 20 long plant tank and everything seemed ok and I had ghost shrimp. It was ok untill I got too busy at work and did not do enough water changes. Today I added DIY hood with 2 x 26 watt compact flourescent. And compressed CO2 but my CO2 regulator died shortly after getting it started.

 

[lauraleellbp]

I personally don't think test strips are that reliable. I prefer drops, and I use the API Master Freshwater kit along with a kH/gH kit added on.

 

[smp]

I personally don't think test strips are that reliable. I prefer drops, and I use the API Master Freshwater kit along with a kH/gH kit added on.

+1 for API