if you want white gravel mix it with natural dark shades of gravel. I mixed
my white gravel with brown/black earth tone pebbles and about 15lbs worth of
the bigger gravel to add variety in size. This makes for a nice look, its
still light (so you get good reflection and a brighter tank) but its not a
false reef tank by any measure

"LeighMo" wrote in message
...
I'm not quite a beginner, but I've never had the opportunity to do a tank
*specifically* with plants in mind. I just liket he loko of sand, but
I'll
consider the flourite.

If it's sand's texture you like, consider Onyx sand. It's dark gray in
color,
and actually a very fine gravel rather than sand. As with Flourite,
there's no
need for laterite or other additives if you're using Onyx.

If you like the color of white sand...keep in mind that many fish find
light-colored substrates stressful, and it can make them look washed-out.
Also, it won't stay nice and white for long. It's kind of like having a
white
carpet: every speck of dirt (and fish poop) will show. Of course, if
you're
planning to cover it all with plants, it doesn't matter.

Eheim still the leader?

Yes. Not sure about the ECCO, though. I think I have heard people gripe
about
the handle breaking. I have an Eheim Pro, myself. (Good filter, but
don't get
the thermofilter model -- the one with the heater built in. I've heard
nothing
but complaints about those.)




Leigh

http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/halloween/881/