Substrate -tile?

[Canaveral]

Hi all, I've been trying to find a substrate solution. I know sand is supposed to be okay since it passes....but I can't imagine that passing sand would be enjoyable at all, so I'm staying away from that.

So my question is, what other alternatives are there? Would it be reasonable to get something like natural rock tile from home depot? What about something made of culinary-grade plastic like various kitchen utilities (cutting boards, drying mesh, etc)?

 

[EJgraydon]

A lot of people on here use stuff like slate or tile, marble even.

 

[Karebear13]

I put slate in my tank! it came out quite nice

 

[ZombieAxolotl]

Slate works well...

just make sure they are actually natural rock
and there is nothing added to them that would leech into your system.

I'd also scrub and soak them.

The usual way make sure a natural rock won't effect your water chemistry is to pour vinegar all over it. If it bubbles, then it has something in it, or on it that will dissolve in your water and it will screw with your water chemistry.

 

[melr70]

I use a mixture of sand and natural, dark slate tiles. The axies like the slate because it's dark— the only trouble is it does making cleaning a little difficult because you can't see the mess properly!