What Is The Best Type Of Rock To Line A French Drain
Q. What is the best type of rock to line a French drain?
A: Your landscape supply store will likely have a few varieties of stone sold as drainage rock, but some of these selections are decorative in nature and more expensive than what youll need for a buried trench. For the best drainage, look for coarse washed rock that is screened, with a stone size of 1/2 to 3/4 inch. Smaller rock with fine particles could clog the holes of the drain pipe. Pea stone works, but the smooth stones settle together and dont move as much water as coarse rock. The more rock and larger the trench, the more water the drain can handle and the longer it will perform correctly.
Imagitarium Aztec Bronze Aquarium Gravel 5 Lbs
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Imagitarium Aztec Bronze Aquatic Substrate creates a vast chaparral of unpretentious browns, sun-drenched tans and speckled whites. The arid landscape motif of this aquarium gravel plays perfectly against lush plants and the iridescent fish of your watery world.
| Imagitarium |
Reviews From Real Customers
We picked this out for my daughters tank because its bright white. I noticed it didnt say the word sand anywhere on the bag, or say what was in the bag , but we bought it anyway. Ive had many fishtanks before and we were going to use this as the top layer in a dirt floor tank.
After washing it for 20 minutes my daughter thought it looked gross because it kept having dust come out of it creating dust bubbles. I then belatedly researched it before putting it in our tank, and realized it is gross! This is an unknown mineral byproduct, It is not sand.
The reason the bag doesnt say sand on it is because sand actually has a definition. We switched to a bag of construction sand we happened to have in the basement, which washed clear in a few minutes and looks great.
The difference between real sand and this stuff is actually surprisingly big. If you read the other reviews of it, its shocking Petco actually sells the stuff. If we had a local aquarium store in our town Id be going to it!.
It is okay. I find it impossible to judge the coarseness of gravel from photos in on-line ads.
Test the pH of the soak sample.
How Do I Install A French Drain
Project Guide: Underground Drainage
Help & Advice> Project guides> Underground Drainage
Installing a French drain involves digging a trench for discrete and effective drainage of surface water and flood plains. French drains can be very small or very big, dependent on the amount of water that needs draining and the size of the area where the flooding or surface water will be. It sounds like a big job, but the list of tools for installing a French drain is short.
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Basics Of French Drains
A french drain takes water from a particular area, such as the ground near a home foundation, to stop it from harming the structure. To do this, you need a sloped ditch or trench with the high point located at the region you have to drain the slope should be between one and two percent from end to end.
The trenchs bottom covers with a layer of gravel, and several inches of coarse sand is placed on top of that. Some french drains cover the sand beneath them with sod to conceal them and maintain their structural durability. Others have a drain pipe in the bottom.
Not Knowing Zoning Regulations
Its important that your French drain doesnt negatively impact anyones land or a public area. Either of these scenarios could lead to legal troubles. Youll want to check with the local building authority for these reasons.
Building codes, community rules or zoning laws might restrict drainage projects in your area. Accordingly, its important to confirm your plans with any local building, zoning or homeowners authorities.
Also, youll want to call the Call Before You Dig hotline at 8-1-1 before you begin the project. The proper authorities will mark your property with paint or a flag so that you dont accidentally dig into an underground utility line.
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Installing A French Drain
Planning for drainage and proper water flow around your home is essential. Home builders should do their part to ensure that water flows away from your homes foundation out into the yard. However, you may notice there are still areas of your yard where water tends to pool.
Allowing the water to remain in these areas can kill your grass, erode the soil and even cause foundation problems. Installing a French drain is one drainage solution that provides a path for pooling water to travel away from your property.
Installing underground drainage pipes is not an easy job and can get costly if you need to hire a landscaping contractor. In this post, weve provided answers to 10 common questions about installing a French drain to help determine the right drainage solution for your property and ensure proper installation of components if you decide to undergo a project like this.
Dig A Trench Wider Than Your Pipe At A Gradient
Choose a location for the trench thats naturally downhill, or create your own slope by digging the trench at a 1% gradient. This will allow gravity to do its part in draining the water away to your chosen destination. Make the trench wide enough to accommodate the pipe with an aggregate surround and a layer of membrane, too.
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French Drain Install Additional Information
French drains cannot be connected directly to any other type of landscape drainage system. In fact, there must be at least 5 feet of solid piping separating it from another landscape drainage system such as a Catch Basin or a Sump Pump Drainage System. Putting one any closer contradicts the French drainâs purpose. Furthermore, a French drain cannot be connected to another landscape drainage system on the higher side of the slope because a French drain cannot have more water flow into it from another system. Having another system higher on the slope of the trench will cause the French drain to overflow or even clog. In conclusion, this specific design can only target specific problem areas.
Not Lining The Trench
Its also important to line your French drain with fabric. You want to use a continuous swath if possible.
If not, you can overlap pieces of fabric by at least 12. However, its important to secure both ends of the fabric with staples driven into the ground. As you lay the fabric, fold the excess on both sides and trim it away later.
Also, its important to overlap the fabric in the desired direction of flow. In other words, the fabric on the high side of the trench must overlap the fabric on the low side.
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What Is The Best Stone To Use For Drainage
There are many different types of stone that can be used for drainage, but not all of them are created equal. Some stones are better at draining water than others, so it is important to select the right one for the job.
One of the best stones to use for drainage is gravel. Gravel is a small, round stone that is perfect for drainage. It is easy to install and can be used in a variety of applications. Another great option is crushed stone. Crushed stone is made up of smaller stones that have been crushed into smaller pieces. This type of stone is also great for drainage and can be used in a variety of applications.
If you are looking for a more decorative option, you may want to consider using a stone such as river stone or field stone. River stone is a type of stone that is typically round and has a smooth surface. It is often used in landscaping projects because of its natural beauty. Field stone is a type of stone that is typically square or rectangular in shape. It is often used in construction projects because it is strong and durable.
Why Should You Avoid Small Gravel When Installing A French Drain
French drains often use small gravel to create a layer that allows water to flow freely through the system. As discussed above, the smaller gravel used in the french drain can prevent large particles such as rocks, tree branches, and other debris from entering the drain.
However, if the gravel is too small, it can get clogged with organic matter such as leaves or twigs. This can block the drain and prevent water from flowing freely.
A french drain clogged with leaves or other organic matter will fail to protect your home from excessive moisture. The excess water might end up causing mold and further damage your walls, floors, and other parts of the house.
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Aqua Culture Aquarium Gravel Caribbean 25 Lb
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Gravel is an important part of every aquarium, and Aqua Culture Caribbean Aquarium Gravel will keep your aquarium healthy when you add it to the bottom. It not only beautifies your underwater world but provides a surface for the growth of beneficial bacteria which help to convert fish waste.
Combining gravel with plants and decorations, which provide cover and hiding places, will create a healthy and natural environment for your aquatic creatures. The mixed blue color of this fish aquarium gravel will complement the other colors in your aquarium tank, including your colorful fish or other marine animals.
For most aquariums, this amounts to 1. 5 to 2 pounds per gallon of capacity. Keep your aquarium beautiful and healthy with Aqua Culture Caribbean Aquarium Gravel.
| Assembled Product Dimensions | 20.00 x 10.00 x 4.00 Inches |
Reviews From Real Customers
Let me just say that Ive owned fish tanks 30+ years so this isnt my first rodeo. Bought this for our community tank we upgraded to because thats all we could find. I rinsed extremely well in small batches for hours.
There was small particles that I was getting out, so I kept rinsing until I didnt see anymore. I expected cloudy water for a day or so, but this never went away. In fact, it got worse daily. Thought maybe once the bacteria took hold everything would be fine.
End result, all my fish have died. Although this white gravel looked great in my tank, I dont believe its safe for fish.
Misdirecting The Pipe Holes
Some homeowners mistakenly point the holes in the pipe sideways. However, theres a logic to this error.
They want the water to filter as far away from their house as possible. Accordingly, theyll point the holes away from their home. However, thats not how water works.
Instead, the holes of the pipe should face down. You want to keep the water level in the French drain as low as possible. The only way to achieve this effect is by pointing the pipe drain holes down.
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Estes Special Gravel Black 5 Lb
- Will not affect PH
- Safe for use in freshwater aquariums
- Non-Toxic coating
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Estes Special Spectrastone Gravel is a premium non-toxic gravel designed specifically for desktop tanks, including betta habitats and other smaller marine and reef tanks. This aesthetically pleasing substrate helps embed plants and other decorations while also tying your aquariums interior together.
All Estes products are clear coated, using 100% environmentally friendly high gloss resin. This state of the art process makes their gravel virtually dust free, and provides the best possible appearance and ease of use in your aquarium.
Contains 5 lb of approximately 0. 5 cm diameter Black colored gravel.
What Is A French Drain
A French drain is a drain system that prevents water pooling, allowing water to flow into the lower parts of your yard and then onto the street or other areas outside your property. Its primary design concept is relatively simple you add a slightly sloped trenching area in your yard to keep the water away. This sloped trench will be installed in the areas of your yard that tend to pool water when it rains.
The trench will be sloped downwards away from your home and then lead to the street, where public drain systems can manage the excess water. This trench should be filled with the appropriate type of gravel that is well-suited for draining. Because of this critical detail, homeowners tend to ask which is the best gravel for a French drain.
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Seachem Flourite Dark 7 Kg / 154 Lbs
- Gravel modifiers such as laterite are not necessary.
- Flourite is not chemically coated or treated and will not alter the pH of the water.
- Flourite is good for the life of the aquarium and need not be replaced.
- Aluminum 2,166.
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Premium natural gravel for the planted aquarium Good for the life of the aquarium What is Flourite Dark? Flourite Dark is a specially fracted stable porous clay gravel for the natural planted aquarium.
Its appearance is best suited to planted aquaria, but may be used in any freshwater aquarium environment. Flourite Dark is most effective when used alone as an integral substrate bed, but it may be mixed with other gravels.
Gravel modifiers such as laterite are not necessary. Flourite Dark is not chemically coated or treated and will not alter the pH of the water. Flourite Dark is good for the life of the aquarium and need not be replaced.
To determine the number of bags required for your aquarium, please note that each bag occupies a volume of approximately 5,500 cm3 . To determine your desired volume multiply tank width by length by desired depth.
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 16 x 8.5 x 2.5 inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 17 x 11.75 x 1.75 inches |
| Target Audience Keyword | Fish |
Reviews From Real Customers
Exceptional Performance. Great Quality. Looks Good in my 75 gallon tank. Clown Loaches colors are great contrast. The Kuhli family is having fun burrowing in and out.
What Is A French Drain How Does A French Drain Work
A French drain is an underground drainage system comprised of a trench filled with a permeable*volume of materials, like gravel or river rock, with a perforated pipe at the bottom of the trench, like in the illustration below:
We usually install French drains at lower elevations where runoff water or groundwater is collected. Runoff water is the water that runs over, let’s say, your lawn when it rains or you have excessive water flowing from your hose or faucet. When runoff water reaches the French drain, the water seeps down through the gravel and into the pipe through its holes. The pipe then facilitates the water flow rate down the drain to a catch basin or an outlet like the main stormwater sewage line.
On the other hand, when water seeps into the soil, it settles at a level we call the groundwater level. When the groundwater level gets too high to reach the bottom portion of the French drain and enters it, draining out through the same outlet. That’s how a French drain works.
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What Is A French Drain And How Do You Install One
French drains are a type of drain that are used to remove excess water from the ground in your section or garden.
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Theyre very useful when you want to make sure that the ground doesnt become water logged and stop you from being able to plant anything.
This is especially useful if you live in an area where there are heavy downpours or periods of torrential rain.
French drains are one of the easiest ways to get rid of water in your yard. Theyre cheap, easy to install, and dont require a lot of maintenance.
If you want to learn how to make a french drain in your garden, then keep reading.
Types Of Gravel For French Drains
There are multiple types of gravel you can use for a french drain, but all of them work the same way:
- Crushed Stone Crushed stone is typically made from granite or limestone. Its a common choice for french drains because its easy to find and relatively inexpensive.
Crushed stone is heavy and expensive to transport, so there may be better options if you are trying to save money.
- Stone Dust Stone dust is made from crushed pieces of stone, but it tends to be less expensive than crushed stone. Its also lighter and easier to transport.
- Pea Gravel Pea gravel, or decorative gravel, is a small pebble often used on driveways and walkways.
Youll find little gravel, so its typically not a good choice for French drains. It tends to clog up the gravel and prevent water from flowing through the trench.
- Rocks While rocks wont be effective for a french drain, they can be helpful for other gardening projects. Rocks can be a cheap way to fill your french drain. They may not be as effective as different types of gravel, but they work just as well.
The type of gravel you choose depends on your needs and what you have available in your surrounding area.
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