Old pond, back to life - which gravel?

[Samtee]

Hey we’ve had our pond running for at least 6/7years, this year we cleared out all the overgrown bits and got out the sludge. We’ve introduced a goldfish this week, so we now have 2 (the OG has been in the pond for most of the 5years+)


We are looking for suitable gravel ideas as we think it looks like it needs it and assuming it would be better for the fish, and recommends would be great,

thanks

 

[Mmathis]

Hello and welcome!

There are many thoughts regarding gravel. I don’t use it, so am not in a position to make recommendations. Sorry, but maybe someone else can help you.

BTW, just curious but are you looking at aesthetics, practicality, or healthy environment?

 

[JRS]

Welcome! Your tank reminds me a bit of an old hydrotherapy tank I used to use as a pond. Pros and cons to gravel. The fish don't need it but they are likely more comfortable with a darker substrate. Aesthetics is a goal for many, and I agree it would probably look better. The drawbacks are a less clean environment, waste and left over food are easily trapped and harder to remove than in a bare bottom tank. My personal preference is usually to skip the substrate unless I want to grow plants without pots or make it look really nice.

 

[Samtee]

Thank you, it’s a little for decoration but also if we were to have more fish or if they mate (they are chasing each other so we are hoping!) we were thinking it would help to have gravel or something with more plant?

 

[j.w]

@Samtee
No gravel for me ever again. It all turned black and collected a lot of stinky stuff. If you have a way to keep it clean then go for it.

 

[Phaewryn]

More plants to hide in would be much easier and more effective as cover than gravel. I have gravel in the smaller sections of my waterfall and it's a lot of work to keep clean, so unless you like the idea of constantly vacuuming it, occasionally taking it all out and bleaching it (to kill all the algae it collects) then treating it to be safe again and putting it back in, then avoid gravel (unless you like the idea of green gravel). How about a few smooth surfaced larger rocks and more plants? A few large rocks will be much easier to clean when needed. If you do use gravel, choose one with smooth stones, like river rock or pea gravel. It will be easier to clean. I made the mistake of using lava rock in my aquarium, and it is always green even when I bleach it monthly! Stacking some larger rocks in the pond will give more cover for the fish than a layer of gravel would anyway. Like this: