Is flourite gravel safe for insects?

[AAO]

I would like to make my next Water Bug/Diving Beetle tank planted with real plants, but I need to figure out how to do it safely for both the plants and bugs. Does anyone have experience using flourite substrate with insects? Also any suggestions for safe plants?

Edit: What about aquarium plant fertilizers? Are there any that are safe for bugs?

Thanks for any help!

 

[viper69]

Don’t know myself- but can’t imagine chemicals of that type are good for insects.

 

[AAO]

Don’t know myself- but can’t imagine chemicals of that type are good for insects.

That’s what I’m fearful of I know aquatic insects are happier with live plants, but I’m not sure how people pull it off ><

 

[Albireo Wulfbooper]

Any aquarium gravel that's safe for shrimp should also be fine for your diving beetles.

Fertilizers often aren't needed, since the animals in the tank will produce some fertilizer on their own, but there are shrimp-safe fertilizers that can be (sparingly) used, so again it stands to reason that these should be okay for beetles.

We've never added fertilizer to our crystal shrimp tank, and the live plants in there constantly need pruning.

 

[AAO]

Any aquarium gravel that's safe for shrimp should also be fine for your diving beetles.

Fertilizers often aren't needed, since the animals in the tank will produce some fertilizer on their own, but there are shrimp-safe fertilizers that can be (sparingly) used, so again it stands to reason that these should be okay for beetles.

We've never added fertilizer to our crystal shrimp tank, and the live plants in there constantly need pruning.

Got it. Thank you! I was following a similar line of logic. I hate to test it though! Maybe someone will have some experience with aquatics, too. ><

 

[Frogdaddy]

The big thing is to avoid copper in your fertilizers. Albireo Wulfbooper is correct, with the growing popularity of cherry shrimp, many companies now sell shrimp safe aquarium fertilizers. Really fertilizers should be almost unnecessary unless you have a lot of light on your tank.

 

[The Snark]

An FYI. Flourites in nature are sometimes found in deposits with arsenic and cyanide compounds. So you would want to be sure the stuff you get has been properly processed.

 

[AAO]

An FYI. Flourites in nature are sometimes found in deposits with arsenic and cyanide compounds. So you would want to be sure the stuff you get has been properly processed.

I would be buying Seachem brand, which is pretty widely used so I would hope it isn’t poisoned with those. But anything is possible!

 

[AAO]

The big thing is to avoid copper in your fertilizers. Albireo Wulfbooper is correct, with the growing popularity of cherry shrimp, many companies now sell shrimp safe aquarium fertilizers. Really fertilizers should be almost unnecessary unless you have a lot of light on your tank.

Got it...I will avoid copper at all costs!

 

[The Snark]

But anything is possible!

I think it would be safe to say not many of these companies would put the health and well being of insects above bottom line profits.

 

[Albireo Wulfbooper]

I think it would be safe to say not many of these companies would put the health and well being of insects above bottom line profits.

Companies that are producing specifically for animal tanks will swiftly go out of business if their product is consistently killing animals. Their products will be as safe as you’re going to be able to buy anywhere.

 

[DreadMan]

Maybe you could dig up some dirt/mud from your nearest pond, freeze it, than try something? In my expiriance plant fertilizers kill any insect put in a tank with them. Even the ones geared towards fishes and other animals never end up working out for me. Maybe its on my side, but just to be safe.
In all honesty, while live plants growing from the ground could be visually pleasing, they arnt nessisary as moss balls and duckweed serve the same purpouse and give the same amount of protection and hiding space. A few sticks and rocks added could finish the look as well.

 

[The Snark]

Companies that are producing specifically for animal tanks will swiftly go out of business if their product is consistently killing animals.

With Zoo Med the consumer is relatively safe. Only 25% of their products come from China and they maintain quality standards. Ignoring the fake copies flooding the market with Zoo Med and other manufacturer's packaging near perfect counterfeits.