Substrate

[Floyds mum]

Would large rocks arranged to provide hiding places be ok as a substrate instead of gravel or sand?

 

[waterdrop]

There's nothing that says you have to have substrate other than esthetics. Bare glass tank bottoms, somewhat more than sand, tend to display every bit of debris to the observer though. Large display rocks are great and very popular. Its good to subject them to the vinegar test (see if it fizzes) to make sure you don't have a type that will slowly dissolve and raise the pH. Its also important to be careful about placement and stability as fish can get crushed by falling rocks just like any other animal. If you are thinking of large pebbles as a substrate then you get into the issues of it being much harder to clean and with it showing and trapping the debris, especially if it has any depth at the front. It can also trap small fish sometimes. When breeding fish of course it can be a safe haven for fry.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Floyds mum]

There's nothing that says you have to have substrate other than esthetics. Bare glass tank bottoms, somewhat more than sand, tend to display every bit of debris to the observer though. Large display rocks are great and very popular. Its good to subject them to the vinegar test (see if it fizzes) to make sure you don't have a type that will slowly dissolve and raise the pH. Its also important to be careful about placement and stability as fish can get crushed by falling rocks just like any other animal. If you are thinking of large pebbles as a substrate then you get into the issues of it being much harder to clean and with it showing and trapping the debris, especially if it has any depth at the front. It can also trap small fish sometimes. When breeding fish of course it can be a safe haven for fry.

~~waterdrop~~

Mmm yeah thanx, ive seen some large rocks in my lfs and was just wondering if it would be ok thanx for the info though

 

[Bobtastic]

I've seen someone on here use glass marbel as a substrate. Not my particular taste but it did make a very interesting look.

I'd be more concerned with falling rocks cracking the glass, more that squishing the fishies!