I'm planning on getting my new 125gallon in the next few weeks (2nd hand so it might take longer depending on whats available) and i've decided to have like an aztec theme (i've never had a theme before, it's so fun hehe). I didn't want any plants because my goldfish turn them to mulch in a matter of mins and fake plants look pretty dodgy...

But anyway onto my point, has anyone had experience with white or creamy coloured gravel? I want to make it "look" like sand (not actual sand though) but i am worried about algae n stuff screwing it up and making my desert into a plush tropical african plain...

I currently have black gravel in my tank, which works well for the goldies colours, but wont work too well in my desert hehe. I dont have a problem with algae at the moment, the tank wont be near a window, it will just have the hood lights. But i have no idea what effect time and light will have on my white/cream gravel.

Any insights? Thanks

I used to have white gravel in my 30 gallon, it was sooo hard to keep clean. When it got dirty, you could totally tell, and the algea got to it so bad, that it had an ugly layer of green brown all over it, and even when I emptied that tank and got a new one, the gravel was permantly stained a brownish color..... even after i tried bleeching them! I wouldnt recommend white or cream gravel. After awhile it looked pretty dirty. This was just my experience though. Maybe some other people know how to keep it clean, but what ive experienced and heard, its very hard.

Same thing happened to me.... and it's really noticable on any colour that's light. Seeing the uneaten food and fish poop is really noticable too.

Barb

hrmm maybe i'll have to go with a more neutral colour....

thanks for your replies!

I have to agree with how bad it gets. I have a mixture of whites, grays and browns and man I tell you that the white turns a nasty green after while. It is gorgeous when new, but after a few months..yuck.
I am in the process of replacing the white. One tank went bare bottom and the main........well I haven't decided yet. It sure is pretty when new though.

Yep, sorry but I have to agree. I put white in my sons betta tank and it's dirty looking. I am planning on replacing his pretty soon. Good luck with your tank though. The theme sounds fun.