Question: River stones as tank substrate?

[PoPiPanda]

I know that gravel is a big no-no for substrate, so that's out of the question. Most things I have read state that a bare tank bottom can be stressful for the axie--and that's the last thing I want! The other other non-fixed alternative (meaning not permanently affixed to the tank floor) I've really seen around is sand. The problem is, I found out that I've developed an allergy to sand after keeping pet hermit crabs (no more beach for me!). Would large river rocks be suitable? Are these big enough?

 

[dad of axle]

Any substrate you put in the tank needs to be either too small to cause problems when passing through an axie or too big to fit in its mouth, so look at the size of the stones compared to the size of your axies head. With stones you have the problem of waste getting inbetween the stones and being difficult to remove.
I have had my axie in a glass bottom tank since I got it ten months ago without problems.

 

[Niels D]

I'm using river stones, which I bought in a big sack. I had to remove some smaller stones thought, so check them before you put them in your tank. After a while the stones turn a little black and green, but this makes them look better if you ask me.

 

[PoPiPanda]

Are any of these large enough?
The problem is, I don't yet have an axie to compare the size to

 

[jessicaanne]

You may as well buy the biggest ones you can afford. Just to be on the safe side, I would say anything bigger than 5cm would be appropriate. Obviously the bigger the pebbles, the better.