What Substrate Would You Use?

[SchottayB]

With the 3D Background "Juwel Stone Granite" going in to a Juwel Trigon 190.

I'm thinking fine black gravel, the fish / plants would stand out a lot more? (I'm hoping )

 

[Tizer]

I would go sand, even if it was black, im a gravel hater.

 

[Randomitity]

Probably a mix of sand and gravel/stones

 

[minnnt]

Black moon sand is one of my favourite substrates at the minute. Definately going in my next tank.

 

[SchottayB]

Either sand or gravel, but black it is lol.

Will a 25kg bag be enough to fill the tank (190L juwel trigon 190) it's like fine gravel.

Cheers!

 

[minnnt]

Hmmm... i'm unsure mate to be honest. It may be enough, but then again it may not. Depends on the depth you decide to go. Can you get a smaller bag also just to make sure?

 

[James9114]

i did a 110litre not so long ago and used about 12kgs of sand had loads left from 20kgs and so i'd say 25kgs is more than enough.

 

[SchottayB]

They do sell smaller size bags of it, but I was hoping the 25kg bag would be more than enough. Just going the usual depth with it.

Hmmm, sand or gravel darn this hobby!!

 

[minnnt]

I have both and sand is my preference at the moment, but i find it can be a bit messy when moving stuff about. But far better for cory's etc.

 

[SchottayB]

Well I've used both sand and gravel, but never together. I used sand in my little shrimp tank, but feel it would be better and easyer for me to use gravel in my big tank.

I was thinking about getting a group of these "corys" maybe 6 or so... they better off with sand? Or doesn't it matter?

Cheers

 

[minnnt]

I have kept them on the more rounded finer gravel fine, but if it is too 'sharp' then it can harm their barbels which can lead to disease and infections. I think they sift through the very top layer of the substrate whilst scrounging.

 

[SchottayB]

The gravel I would be using would be fine gravel, I'm not a fan of the big chunky stuff at all.

 

[minnnt]

Possibly be ok them. Mine were, but i have moved them onto sand now. Although they have onyl been in there a day they don't seem any different.

 

[SchottayB]

I'll see how they get on, if they wasn't doing well I'd re-home them.

I don't fancy gutting the tank friday to put the background and new gravel in, to find out I need to gut the tank again to change it to sand

I could just go down the safe route, and go with sand to start with. But I like the look of gravel with how my old tank looked

 

[twodoctors]

I happen to have both. Fine gravel 25kg (big bag) is enough for my 215L with a bit to spare, depending on how deep you want it. Corys are fine with those.

I think they prefer play sand though as my corys are now on them. They actually hoover up the sand and expel them through their gills. They can't do that with fine gravel. I can't tell you which is natural behaviour for them. Neither substrate does any damage to their barbels.

Is the granite background similar to my small tank? I have play sand in that one and I think it will look better in lighter substrate. I have black sand in the big tank because I bought the big lump of granite when I first bought the tank. I used to use black coarse gravel, then switch to fine gravel. I didn't think it will look good with light sand which is why I plunge for the black fine gravel.

Adrian