the problem with specific substrates...

[Magnum Man]

so, I typically prefer a mixed browns, natural looking substrate... but I have a few more unique substrates... I have one tank, that I like the look of, that has jet black sand... except when something else gets on the sand... I have 2 pieces of ceramic media that fell out of a planter, and they stand out like a sore thump, against the black sand... I also have a tank, that has white sand, and several pieces of what looks like carbon, are on it... both of these tanks would be a pain to tweezer out the offending pieces... and as much as I like both, I'm temped to stay with the natural mixed tones, of which both of these would blend into, and not stick out so much...

 

[gwand]

Most of my tanks have jet black sand for the substrate. I find it makes the color of the fish really pop.

 

[jaylach]

I'm one that has always liked the brown/beige mix of polished river pebbles. Of course there more hues of the colors than just brown/beige. I just think it looks natural and the pebbles are good for my UG filtration.

 

[BanjoFish]

The substrate I have is the Fluval Stratum as despite keeping my options open I was aiming for pygmy corys and cherry shrimp.

 

[Archerfish]

Most of my tanks have jet black sand for the substrate. I find it makes the color of the fish really pop.

Yes, black really does the job. I had for 18 months, (until I moved) a tank with 300 neon tetras with black substrate and a black background. It was absolutely spectacular.

 

[Back in the fold]

You know what would be cool ? It would take some patience to set it up but it would be majorly cool . Black and natural sand with the lighter colored sand making a design . They have a name for that but I can’t think of it . I would make a Starfleet insignia in the middle foreground .

 

[jaylach]

You know what would be cool ? It would take some patience to set it up but it would be majorly cool . Black and natural sand with the lighter colored sand making a design . They have a name for that but I can’t think of it . I would make a Starfleet insignia in the middle foreground .

Personally I don't think it would last long as the different sand colors whould just end up blending together.

 

[fishorama]

I've spent many years try to pick out stray royal blue gravel bits. A rookie mistake from our 1st tanks.

I prefer tan/brown or black substrate but have whitish/ pale tan pool sand in 2 tanks. If I ever feel rich enough, I'd go with Carib Sea Peace River. Very small & rounded gravel in many brown colors. So pretty to me!