new substrate for my 75-gallon planted tank

[Mango]

I've got a 75 gallon planted tank and I'm looking to switch up the substrate. Currently, I've got large gravel in there, but I want something more suitable for my plants and future Bristlenose plecos. Dirt's not my thing, and sand's too messy for me. No co2 in the plans either. What substrates would you recommend for a plant-friendly, pleco-friendly setup?

[greensea_1]

I've had a good experience with sand, it's not been overly messy for me. My plants seem to thrive in it, so I think it's definitely worth considering. If you're still not sold on sand, a smaller gravel size might be a good alternative.

[aquascaper]

Eco-complete is another option for planted tanks. It's on the pricier side, but worth considering.

[Mango]

I'm currently running with two Gouramis, a couple danios, and two rainbows, plus my lone pleco. I plan to beef up the shoals, but I want to tackle the substrate first. I've heard mixed reviews about Eco-complete - supposedly it's a bit harsh on the pleco's belly and a pain to plant in due to its light, loose nature. Has anyone found a good aquarium-specific sand that comes in darker hues?

[bigtop]

I've got the basic black sand from Petco - it's pretty standard stuff. I picked it up for about a buck a pound and ended up using 60 pounds in my 80-gallon tank. I've only got water sprite planted in it so far, but it's working out well.

[Mango]

Your setup looks amazing, bigtop. I think I'm leaning towards sand now. You mentioned you got the sand from Petco, but I only have PetSmart nearby and they don't carry it. I'll have to look into ordering online instead.

Moving on to my next question: when switching to a new substrate, especially to sand, is it best to remove the fish from the tank?

[bigtop]

I've always taken the cautious route when switching substrates, placing my fish in a bucket for their safety. I've done this overnight, just in case. It's always better to be safe than sorry, especially when making changes that might stress them out.

[Mango]

I'm leaning towards moving them all out while I switch substrates, it seems like the safest option. Since I don't have a Petco nearby, I'm looking for a good alternative. You mentioned using Petco sand, but was that your top choice or just the most convenient option? There are so many brands out there, ranging from really affordable to very expensive. I'm looking for a high-quality, clean sand that will work well for my plants and pleco.

[bigtop]

I went with the Imagitarium brand since it was easily available and seemed like a good option at the time. It does clump a bit initially, but it's relatively fine and very soft on my fish.

In the past, I've used Stony River, but the grain size is a bit too large for my liking. That being said, it does allow plants to root fairly easily. I had a large water sprite thriving in it for a while, and now I have a sword plant doing well. Plus, it hasn't caused any damage to my corycats' barbels, which is a big plus.

I've also heard of people using black blasting sand, but I don't have any personal experience with it.