Who Gives A Fish Forums

I'm setting up a freshwater aquarium with plants and I'm curious about the best substrate or gravel for the bottom of the tank. What's going to work best for optimal plant, fish, and overall aquarium well-being?

Most people I've spoken to swear by play sand for their aquariums. In the UK, Argos is a popular choice, while those in the US often opt for Lowes. It's a great option because it's inert and safe for your fish and plants. Just be sure to rinse it first to get rid of the dust. It's also extremely affordable, which is a nice bonus. I'd advise against using white sand, though - most fish seem to prefer darker colours, and it really brings out their natural hues.

Kathryn, welcome to TFF.

When choosing a substrate for your aquarium, it's primarily the fish that we need to consider, as aquatic plants will thrive in almost any substrate. I've found that inert sand, like play sand, is the best option. It's completely safe for all fish, especially those that feed on or live in the substrate, and it looks very natural. The fact that it's inexpensive is an added bonus, and plants root exceptionally well in it, which isn't surprising given that natural water courses supporting substrate-rooted plants typically consist of sand, mud, or a combination of both.

If you do decide to use gravel, the grain size is crucial. Larger grains can hinder the growth of substrate-rooted plants, and they also don't provide as good a bacteria bed as finer grained gravel or sand. This can lead to the accumulation of organics, which can be detrimental to your aquarium's ecosystem.

In terms of color, a dark sand is definitely the way to go. I use a dark grey mix play sand, which works beautifully, and I've also heard that a buff tone mix is available in some areas and is a good alternative. White sand, on the other hand, should be avoided at all costs, as it's completely unnatural and can have a negative impact on your fish.

I've had good experiences with Eco Complete and Fluval Shrimp Substrate in my planted tank with fish. Both seem to be working well. Although I haven't tried sand personally, I've seen many shrimp keepers use it with success. From my own experience with various substrates and gravels over the years, I can say that finding the right one can make a big difference.

Eco Complete's been mentioned, so I'll chime in – it's not ideal for substrate-level fish like cories and loaches. I've also got some reservations about its plant nutrition, based on the tests I've seen. I used to run Flourite, which is essentially the same thing, in a 70-gallon tank a few years back. After two years, I ended up switching it out due to fish issues and no noticeable boost in plant growth. These products make a lot of promises, but they're pricey and rarely deliver. I wasted $180 on that Flourite, compared to the $14 I spent on play sand – and you know what? The plants are still thriving, and the cories are loving it.

Using an active substrate like ADA aquasoil or Controsoil can be suitable for fish that can handle lower pH and KH levels. However, it demands a commitment to properly "age" the tank before introducing fish. When I set up a tank with aquasoil, I believe it's the best substrate for promoting healthy plant growth, I always wait six weeks before adding fish to ensure no ammonia spike that could harm them. I've been doing this for years with sensitive fish and haven't experienced any issues.

As for Eco Complete, I agree it's not the best choice for corydoras species and other bottom-dwelling fish. I primarily use it for its cation exchange capacity (CEC) value, not as a direct nutrient source for plants. The cost of using it in aquaria is subjective and depends on the application. In some cases, I find the benefits justify the expense.

angelica wrote: ↑Wed May 22, 2024 8:24 am Most people I've spoken to swear by play sand for their aquariums. In the UK, Argos is a popular choice, while those in the US often opt for Lowes. It's a great option because it's inert and safe for your fish and plants. Just be sure to rinse it first to get rid of the dust. It's also extremely affordable, which is a nice bonus. I'd advise against using white sand, though - most fish seem to prefer darker colours, and it really brings out their natural hues.

I've spent three decades keeping fish and I've never come across the notion that fish care about substrate color.

My wild discus and eartheaters seem perfectly content on their white - now slightly tan - sand. I suppose I should inform them that their surroundings are all wrong for them.

@orchid, you're preaching to the choir. I've been following this approach by happy accident and it's become my go-to method ever since.

@orchid, I couldn't agree more. Holding off on adding fish for as long as possible has been a game-changer for me. I stumbled upon this approach by accident, and it's been my go-to method ever since.

When it comes to using active substrates like aquasoil, it's crucial to exercise caution. While it's true that some fish can thrive in lower pH and KH environments, you must wait for the leaching process to stop before introducing them.

I've found that shrimp, in particular, are extremely sensitive to changes in their environment. In my experience, they're more sensitive than fish. I have four shrimp aquariums, and three of them use aquasoil. The one that doesn't is specifically designed for wild neocaridina and caridina babaulti, which prefer a neutral to slightly alkaline pH.

As a rule, I wait at least two months before adding shrimp to a new tank. It's essential to be patient and responsible when it comes to the well-being of your livestock. While I may not worry about the color of my substrate, I do take the time to do my due diligence and ensure that my tank is safe and healthy for my animals.

I've been using Seachem Florite for a while now, and I have to say, it's been a mixed bag. The original black terrac was okay, but the "dark" color they came out with later was a total disappointment - it's this ugly, unnatural-looking beige/brown gravel. I'm planning to switch back to black as soon as I can, it's just a much better color for showcasing my fish.

I also tried Seachem's black sand, but I'm not entirely sold on it. I put it in half of one of my aquariums, and my fish don't seem to be using it any more than they were the terrac gravel. When I rinsed it, I lost a ton of it - it just seemed to disintegrate into powder. So, I'm thinking of switching to black play sand next. How well does it rinse? Is there a lot of sludge that gets washed away, or are the sand particles big enough to stay in the strainer?

I've had some trouble getting my plants to root properly in the terrac, but I'm hoping the sand will be an improvement. I've been getting more and more plecos, loaches, and corys, and I know they'll appreciate the sand. I've seen my Dojo loaches trying to dig holes in the ugly brown gravel, but they're not having much luck. I don't want my fish getting injured.

One thing I've noticed with sand is that it's a real pain to clean. It just gets sucked up so easily, and I end up losing more and more substrate every time I clean the tank. There must be a way to clean the sand without losing so much of it, but I haven't figured it out yet. Hopefully, the play sand will be better in this regard - maybe the grains are bigger or something.