Question: Fine gravel

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paws4eva

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Revelry
I was shopping for my axolotl tank the other day but my local pet shop doesnt sell sand. It does however sell realy realy fine gravel. each grain is like no more than 2 millimetres in diametre... would this be safe?????
 
I use it in my tank, while my axies sometimes eat it they've had it for about three months now and don't seem to have any issues. I had the same problem and having nothing as a bottom wasn't an option for me with past experiences.
 
No, it's not. Eventually it will cause problems, i highly suggest you dont buy it.
 
The problem with gravel is it's hit and miss. Some people choose to use it and fortunately have no problems, some people do get problems. For example, I'm currently treating an axolotl I rehomed with impaction. The impaction was caused because her previous owner kept her on gravel. Thankfully I know what I'm doing and here's hoping she will recover. Even the finest gravel can build up inside an axolotl and the problems begin. Personally I don't feel it's a risk worth taking. Sand is usually readily available if not in store but online. Failing that your safest option is having a bare bottom tank or large river rocks, like I use in several of my tanks due to using under gravel filters. Rocks should be larger than the axolotls head.
 
Paws and Sky, tomorrow morning head out to Bunnings-$9 for a bag of Play Sand (not in the trade section, but usually over near the garden tools), your axies will thank you for it.
Sky, I'd definitely be very wary of your axolotls' health, and watching them VERY carefully- especially with the horrid weather which have a pretty high probability of exacerbating the problem very quickly. Once you have the sand down, every time they poop out some of that little gravel, scoop it out quickly. Hopefully we'll avert a disaster down the track!
 
I agree, I would be super wary with any form of gravel. My two came from a pet shop that kept them on fine gravel, I have had them for several months now and they are still passing gravel regularly :(

I'd go for the play sand suggested above if you don't want a bare bottomed tank and can't get aquarium sand.
 
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