Solutions For Gravel And Goldfish

Honestly I don't want to switch to sand for various reasons as I find it to have more cons. But I am having trouble with one specific aspect of my gravel...
It's river gravel and ranges from 1/4-1.5" in length. I am hopefully getting more goldfish soon and I am concerned they may eat some of the gravel.
My goldfish is currently 5 inches and likely will not grow, and is unable to eat any of the gravel though she does move it around and root through it and stuff.
Are there any solutions other than removing all the smaller pieces? Because that will take so many hours...

 

Goldfish will be goldfish... bare bottom or sand would be better for them, but I’m sure you already know this.

 

Remove the bigger pieces. Those are the suckers you have to worry about because she could choke. The smaller ones she can just spit out.

 

Yeah... I really do, but I like planted tanks and I don't like pots, so bare bottom isn't really my style, though I have been considering a java moss floor.... Lol how many years would it take to grow that?!
I like the gravel because it anchors down the plants, provides a hiding spot for baby snails, and I don't have to worry about dangerous gasses building up.
Also I'm worried baby snails would get trapped if a goldfish came by going through the sand and covered them.
And I'll have to go 2-3 weeks without much maintenece for 4-7 times a year, and I don't want to start my gravel siphon and be hit with a wall of bubbling death.

 

Remove the bigger pieces. Those are the suckers you have to worry about because she could choke. The smaller ones she can just spit out.

Well she can't fit the smaller ones in her mouth, and I really don't see a goldfish getting a one and a half inch piece stuck in their mouths... that would suck

 

Well she can't fit the smaller ones in her mouth, and I really don't see a goldfish getting a one and a half inch piece stuck in their mouths... that would suck

Hmm ok well if you get the sand your goldfish can cover up the baby snails but the snails can just climb right out. It's not like the baby snails are being held in the sand.

 

Hmm ok well if you get the sand your goldfish can cover up the baby snails but the snails can just climb right out. It's not like the baby snails are being held in the sand.

Haha, I see where this is going. Convince me to get sand!
I have a list of pros and cons I made, and sand has more cons...

Gravel-
Pros:
•lots of baby snails like to hide in it and eat leftover stuff
•no buildup of anaerobic bacteria and gas, which is important because I will have to go without doing water changes for 2-3 weeks at a time about 4-7 times a year
• keeps the dwarf sag rooted
• I have pieces of slate angled upwards and the shrimp and snails like to hide there, and I don't think sand can hold them at an angle
• I really do like the natural gravel look, and if I switch to sand I'd like to keep some of the gravel and larger rocks
Cons:
• honestly not many
• my main concern is that my goldfish, or ones I am hopefully getting soon, will get large enough to eat the smaller gravel. Mine probably isn't growing any more, so it's mainly a concern for the others
Sand-
Pros:
•looks cool, if there are rocks scattered throughout
• dwarf sag will like it a lot better
• no choking on gravel
Cons:
• poisonious gas bubbles
• baby snails can get stuck (my baby snails are stupid)
• how do I remove all the gravel
• some types will choke plant roots
• cleaning it/ rinsing it
• some sand is sharp and my goldfish has a mouth injury still trying to heal, can be fixed with thr right type
• cloudiness

 

Haha, I see where this is going. Convince me to get sand!
I have a list of pros and cons I made, and sand has more cons...

Gravel-
Pros:
•lots of baby snails like to hide in it and eat leftover stuff
•no buildup of anaerobic bacteria and gas, which is important because I will have to go without doing water changes for 2-3 weeks at a time about 4-7 times a year
• keeps the dwarf sag rooted
• I have pieces of slate angled upwards and the shrimp and snails like to hide there, and I don't think sand can hold them at an angle
• I really do like the natural gravel look, and if I switch to sand I'd like to keep some of the gravel and larger rocks
Cons:
• honestly not many
• my main concern is that my goldfish, or ones I am hopefully getting soon, will get large enough to eat the smaller gravel. Mine probably isn't growing any more, so it's mainly a concern for the others
Sand-
Pros:
•looks cool, if there are rocks scattered throughout
• dwarf sag will like it a lot better
• no choking on gravel
Cons:
• poisonious gas bubbles
• baby snails can get stuck (my baby snails are stupid)
• how do I remove all the gravel
• some types will choke plant roots
• cleaning it/ rinsing it
• some sand is sharp and my goldfish has a mouth injury still trying to heal, can be fixed with thr right type
• cloudiness

I can help you get rid of all of those cons . 1)You got snails to move the sand around. Cories will help along with using a comb.
2)baby snails will find a way. It's called where there's a will there's a way
3)will dm you what I'm talking about.
4)cleaning is easy as all you do is just lihtly put the python on the top and bam it's cleaned.
5)look up pool filter sand. 50lbs for $8 cheap and not sharp at all.
6)clean and rinse the sand before you add to tank.

 

I can help you get rid of all of those cons . 1)You got snails to move the sand around. Cories will help along with using a comb.
2)baby snails will find a way. It's called where there's a will there's a way
3)will dm you what I'm talking about.
4)cleaning is easy as all you do is just lihtly put the python on the top and bam it's cleaned.
5)look up pool filter sand. 50lbs for $8 cheap and not sharp at all.
6)clean and rinse the sand before you add to tank.

Thank you for writing it all out!
As much as I love cories, I've heard one too many tales of goldfish getting them stuck in their mouths because of the barbs (little piggies). But they're so cute!!
I can get some MTS from my LFS, so that will help some...
Hmm, I've heard of pool filter sand, is that the one that's relatively fine grained? I always mix it up with play sand, I think play sand is the bad one... Thank you, I'll definitely look into it!

 

Thank you for writing it all out!
As much as I love cories, I've heard one too many tales of goldfish getting them stuck in their mouths because of the barbs (little piggies). But they're so cute!!
I can get some MTS from my LFS, so that will help some...
Hmm, I've heard of pool filter sand, is that the one that's relatively fine grained? I always mix it up with play sand, I think play sand is the bad one... Thank you, I'll definitely look into it!

Very fine sand. And anytime. But yeah I've had my goldfish sometimes try to eat cories on accident. What's the worst is having to pull them back out because there are hooks. Mske sure to rinse well into a bucket until it's clear then you can add to tank!

 

Okay, so I am leaning more towards sand, but is there a way to incorporate some gravel as well? I do like the look of gravel, and I would definitely keep some of the larger rocks I have, but would it be possible to keep a couple of the larger gravel pieces as well? Or would they sink below the sand?
Also, I've read that people often have to replace impellers in their filters, what's the best way to avoid that?
And, unrelated, but would dojo loaches eat mystery and ramshorn snails?

 

Also, any ideas for hiding places for baby snails?
If they just stay on the top of the sand they're going to get eaten....

 

You don't need cories or snails to stop gas building up in sand when you have goldfish. Goldfish really enjoy rooting through sand (as you will find out when you get it ) and will stir up any gas bubbles before they become a problem. Cories are not good tsnkmates with goldfish anyway. The issue of gas pockets is really over exaggerated in aquariums IMO. It takes a long time for them to become toxic and if you think you have them then just remove the fish, stir up the sand, replace fish and you're good to go!

Also, I know it's off topic, but can I ask why you don't think your goldfish will grow? Is it a fancy?

 

Thank you!
I think I've decided to switch, and I'm actually picking up a new goldfish today, so I have to do it within the QT time, gives me a nice deadline.
But how can I help keep the babies safe?

 

I think OP said it was stunted.

Snails aren't going to hide in decorations like fish. It'll be hard to keep them safe from the goldies, unfortunately.

 

I think OP said it was stunted.

Snails aren't going to hide in decorations like fish. It'll be hard to keep them safe from the goldies, unfortunately.

Totally missed that part of their question, thanks for answering it!
Yes, she is a common goldfish, about three years old and only five inches and hasn't grown for over a year

Hmm, I might set up a pile of rocks for the snails, do you think that could work? They are ramshorns, so not overly important, but I'd like a few more.

 

Some of them might be in there at a time, but snails will be snails. They're gonna be all over the tank pretty much 24/7.