slate as gravel

[queenfish]

I am setting up a 40 gal and want to use slate pebbles as gravel that I can purchase at Home Depot for much cheaper than buying at pet store. I know I can use pea gravel, but the slate pebbles are much nicer. I will be putting in cichlids and other compatible fish. Can I use slate pebbles?

 

[FreddyJ]

my cichlids enjoy sand, they are constantly taking up mouthfulls and spitting it out. I also have some smaller sized gravel in there and that seems to work too. They like to root around in the substrate a lot (it seems) so I would say that if the slate pebbles aren't sharp they'd most likely do the trick.

 

[Methylx]

I would also recommend going with pebbles designed for aquariums just to prevent impurities, there are always cheaper alternatives but they aren't always cheaper for your fish. I say if you have to wait a few extra weeks to save a bit more money its worth it for your fish. Imagine if you bought it, your fish die from it and now you're back to square one except your down the price of the slate.