Substrate Ideas?

[scoloujo]

I currently have a pale gravel in my tank and want to replace it! any suggestions would be gratefully received I'm thinking of doing the polished pebbles? I have quite messy fish, platies, guppies, swordtails, danios, borneo suckers and an oto, so although I love sand it might be too much hard work!

 

[gavva]

I currently have a pale gravel in my tank and want to replace it! any suggestions would be gratefully received I'm thinking of doing the polished pebbles? I have quite messy fish, platies, guppies, swordtails, danios, borneo suckers and an oto, so although I love sand it might be too much hard work!

i would go for sand mate its a lot easier to clean and you can see a lot better if there is any build up

 

[minxfishy]

Very fine black gravel, like sand but doesnt show the muck as much.

 

[Corleone]

It takes some practice to clean sand without sucking it up. Put some in a bucket with water over it and practice cleaning it first. The trick is to wave the siphon above the sand to stir up the fish poop without stirring up the sand.

If you're up for sand, get black sand. Very neutral color, and makes even dull colored fish pop out well. If you're not up for sand but still want a change, black gravel can do the same thing. Black substrate with a black background is a good starting point for a stunning planted tank.

 

[Truck]

IMO black substrates are very popular and are the best for showing up fish's colours. as said above a beautiful but dull coloured fish will look stunning infront of the black substrate

 

[scoloujo]

I'ddefinately go for black sand as I've just put a black background up and think it looks great. Now how do I go about swapping the gravel/sand do I have to empty all fish and water? do I have to store the water to empty back in? Sorry for adding more questions! and another one where is the cheapest/best place to get black sand? I have a 3ft tank so need a fair bit.

 

[Lord Fishheart]

I'ddefinately go for black sand as I've just put a black background up and think it looks great. Now how do I go about swapping the gravel/sand do I have to empty all fish and water? do I have to store the water to empty back in? Sorry for adding more questions! and another one where is the cheapest/best place to get black sand? I have a 3ft tank so need a fair bit.

Ive gone for this

http/www.seapets.co.uk/product-details/stkcode/954950.html

for my Discus Amazon Biotope

 

[Rooster]

IMO black substrates are very popular and are the best for showing up fish's colours. as said above a beautiful but dull coloured fish will look stunning infront of the black substrate

Where do you find this outside the LFS please ?

 

[Corleone]

IMO black substrates are very popular and are the best for showing up fish's colours. as said above a beautiful but dull coloured fish will look stunning infront of the black substrate

Where do you find this outside the LFS please ?

Try garden centers and greenhouses. Places like Home Depot (not sure the UK equivalent) can be a good start.