Best gravel for Orandas

I have been keeping flowerhorns since a few years and I am planning to start an oranda tank now.. Since I do not have much experience in keeping goldfish I would like to know which is the best type of gravel for orandas/ranchus/calicos and other types of goldfish..

Thanks!

[Mitsukake]

the best gravel is = NO GRAVEL..
coz they shit alot...

[leezhengxi]

Hi sis , better not put any for goldfish

Thanks for the information.. Since the tank I plan to put the goldfish in is a show tank I would prefer to put some gravel even if its scattered around and not a thick layer..

If I had to choose, would sand or small stones be a better option?

If I dont put gravel then can I put large rocks, driftwood and other decorative items? I will be cleaning below these decorative items every week..

Thanks!

[leezhengxi]

hmm... if thats the case , i would put rocks , easier for cleaning

[tangmulong4488]

big size gravel so that they will nt accidentally swallow, oso easily to maintain.

[TOFUUUUUU]

I scatter some at the back part of the tank. So in case you're feeding sinking pellet, can minimize some of them getting stuck in between

Thank you for the information everyone.. I really appreciate it

[mediacraze]

If you want to keep Oranda.

Keep the floor clean and do not put rocks/ DW.

Oranda shit more than all other goldfish type. Gravel will trap all the shit and no matter how hard working you are in cleaning will not help and will create problem soon to come.

Oranda are fast swimmer and they have big fan tail. We keep Oranda becos we like to see them swim with the wavering of tail. Rocks/ DW, decorative stuff will scratch and damage their tail. The Oranda will not look good swimming with damage or torn tail right.

Just sharing my thought

Bare bottom is best as it's offer lesser problem and cleaning but it's a matter for individual choice. If you have to use grave then keep it to 2cm depth and size a mixture or fine (aids digestion) and coarse (> 4mm so they are unlightly to be swallowed). The downside is you have to do a lot vacuuming weekly to remove all the crap that are trap in between otherwise anaerobic bacteria will thrive. Also I found that placing one filter intake at each end (long tanks) will help to suck up the poop and minimize this problem. Deco rock are ok for me, so long their surface are smooth. Plants, I will go for anubias, they look good and are very hardy and also are a good nitrate remover. Have fun.
Cheers