fishtank gravel re-use?

[UUMomof3]

I am taking a break from draining and scrubbing two, 20 gallon fishtanks. I have already explained to the children that I will neither finance nor sanction the acquisition of more pets. I have somewhat nebulous plans to make a terrarium out of one or both tanks.

But I am left with a huge quantity of used gravel. Multicolored, so I don't want to put it in the gardens. Presumably I could use it in potted plants, except I don't have the best of luck with those.

Anything else I could do with this stuff?

[DaisySue]

I used some in with some plain gravel as a mulch-type covering in a small area I put outside planters on. It was kind of cute! Plain gravel is not very pretty so this added a little color!

[deltadawn]

Can you freecycle it?

[Contrary Housewife]

Maybe it would work on one of those cast-it-yourself concrete garden stepping stones. I've seen kits in craft stores. You put the colored stones or glass in the mold and pour the concrete mix over it. Then when you unmold it, the stones are on the top.

[Thevail]

I've used it in an outdoor mosaic table top project. You know, smash up tiles and squish the pieces into the mortar mix. But you always end up with those wierd spaces that the tile pieces are too big for. The pretty colored gravel works beautifully.

[Momto2Boyz]

Granted, winter is almost over, but you could rinse it, dry it and bag it and put it into the trunk of your car. Then use it in place of kitty litter if you get stuck in the snow or mud! I always keep kitty litter in the car, in case I get stuck, but I would bet that fish gravel would work just as well for traction!

[madhen]

I've used gravel (colour doesn't matter) as ballast for tall vases or other objects that tip easily.

If you have enough of it, you can line a wet area outside with it, to help carry the water away.

I really like the idea of a stepping stone!

[mombottoo]

Clean it really well, let it dry, then bag it up and sell it in a yard sale if you plan on having one. Use it in the bottom of pots for drainage or do the above suggestion and donate to the school...many classrooms have fish.

[Thevail]

I checked with a friend who works at Petco..she said whatever you do boil it first because it can have e-coli and salmonella on it.

[MyMelody]

Could you sprinkle it on top of the soil for potted plants?

[UUMomof3]

I checked with a friend who works at Petco..she said whatever you do boil it first because it can have e-coli and salmonella on it.

I don't have the facilities or time to boil 50 pounds of possibly contaminated fishtank gravel. I'm not going to freecycle or donate it and take the risk of being sued if someone gets sick from it. I'll be finding a way to safely dispose of it.

This cements my resolution that there will be no more pets in this family. I'm not going to re-home the ones we have, but we will not be getting any more after this.