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Fishtank gravel

LG_LG_ Posts: 4,107
in Tools and techniques
Is there any reason I shouldn't use old fishtank gravel to mulch pots etc? It's been sitting in a disused tank in the shed for a few years and I've finally admitted to myself that the tank is never going to be used again. It's quite a nice grade for pot covering - about 3 or 4mm I'd say.


'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
- Cicero

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 10,269
    Yes - it's ideal for that sort of purpose.
    When I emptied my tank I had a couple of barrow loads of gravel to dispose of.
    I used it as a mulch around strawberries and in other parts of the garden.
    No need to rise if it's 'dirty' - that's all goodness to plants
    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,107
    Great 🙂. It's surprisingly 'undirty' - I think microorganisms must have been sorting it out all this time!
    Thanks 👍🏼
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 52,070
    That's a great resource for your pots @LG_ and far better than it just lying around in the shed taking up space.    :)

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,107
    edited November 2021
    I've already done a couple of houseplants and it looks good 👍🏼. It was a teeny tank so it's not going to go far, but I've started thinking it might be good for 'doing a Carol' on some seed sowings...
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • cornellycornelly Posts: 970
    I use fish tank gravel in trays to stand the pots of tomatoes, the roots go into the gravel, plants do well.
  • LunarSeaLunarSea Posts: 1,427
    If I had any fishtank gravel to spare I'd most certainly use it in the garden. But my tank is still going strong.

    However I do weekly water changes on my tank and all that nitrate-laden water goes into one of my water butts. Nowt gets wasted 'ere  :)
    Clay soil - Cheshire/Derbyshire border - where old gardeners wet their plants.
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,107
    I'm starting to wonder if I should buy some more 🤣
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • Chris-P-BaconChris-P-Bacon Posts: 943
    LG_ said:
    I'm starting to wonder if I should buy some more 🤣
    I do, quite often. Primarily for making succulent or cactus mix but it's got many horticutural uses - & is sometimes cheaper than Hort grit from the GS.
  • Chris-P-BaconChris-P-Bacon Posts: 943
    VictorMeldrew said:
    If I had any fishtank gravel to spare I'd most certainly use it in the garden. But my tank is still going strong.

    However I do weekly water changes on my tank and all that nitrate-laden water goes into one of my water butts. Nowt gets wasted 'ere  :)
    Ditto..
  • Helen P3Helen P3 Posts: 985
    Chris-P-Bacon said:
     it's got many horticutural uses - & is sometimes cheaper than Hort grit from the GS.
    It is.

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