Aquarium Gravel
Aquarium gravel plays an important part of in maintaining the proper habitat for your fish. While some people may think that aquarium gravel is just decoration, it's not. The gravel can be used as part or the aquarium filtration system, or as a nutrient rich substrate for live aquarium plants, or even just to change the chemical properties of the aquarium. Aquarium gravel also looks good and functions as an important part of the decor.
Choosing the right type of aquarium gravel depends upon what type of marine animals and plants you want to host in your tank. If you have plants, you need to have nutrient-rich gravel so that the plant's roots take hold and grow. For plants and fish that like warm water, you should opt for titled lime-free gravel. Lime or calcium carbonate will cause hard water. Placing gravel that contains lime or calcium carbonate in it will slowly turn your water alkaline in time and will cause health problems for your fish.
Most lime-free gravel will be either man made or be made from quartz. Quarts gravel is the ideal gravel for aquarium plants because it serves to collect and absorb nutrients, allowing aquarium plants' roots to take hold -- something which encourages the growth of your aquarium plants.
You can layer your gravel so that the bottom is lime-free while the top contains nutrient-rich mixtures that both plant and fish will appreciate. You should also make sure the gravel is smooth so that bottom-dwelling fish don't cut themselves on it.
You can find some recommended aquarium gravel below for a good price:
 69 Siphon Vacuum Pump For Aquarium Fish Tank Gravel Water Cleaning Change FD4  US $.99
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 Black Aquarium Gravel US $15.00
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 Aquarium Fish Blue Purple Gravel Bed Plants Ornament 10 US $8.80
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