Best substrate for Betta tanks

[wolfsong]

I've been using sand in my Betta tanks for years, but I'm curious if there's a better option. What's everyone else using? I've got a 10-gallon with a sponge filter, 78°F, and live plants. My fish seems happy, but I wanna make sure I'm not missing out on something better.

[pineaple]

Sand's fine, but if you're into planted tanks, aquasoil's the way to go. It's packed with nutrients for the plants, and it doesn't mess with the water chemistry too much. I've got a 15-gallon with aquasoil, CO2 injection, and a canister filter. My bettas are thriving, and the plants are growing like crazy.

[toothman]

I just use gravel, man. Easy to clean, and it's cheap. My tank's a 5-gallon with a hang-on-back filter, no plants, just some driftwood. Fish seems chill, but maybe I should switch it up?

[pureride]

Gravel's cool if you're not into plants, but it's a pain to vacuum. I switched to sand last year, and it's way easier to keep clean. Plus, my betta loves digging in it. 10-gallon, no CO2, just some anubias and java fern.

[DarkFable9]

I've tried both sand and aquasoil, and honestly, it depends on your setup. If you're going low-tech, sand is fine. But if you're serious about plants, aquasoil's worth the investment. My 20-gallon has a mix of both, and the plants are doing great.

[wolfsong]

Thanks for the input, everyone. I think I'll stick with sand for now, but I might experiment with aquasoil in a smaller tank to see how it goes.

[southbreeze]

I've been using fluorite for my planted tanks. It's a bit pricey, but it's got all the nutrients plants need, and it doesn't break down like some other substrates. My bettas seem to like it, and the plants are thriving.

[finleybay]

Fluorite's solid, but it's dusty as heck when you first put it in. Gotta rinse it like crazy. I've got a 10-gallon with fluorite, a sponge filter, and some low-light plants. Works like a charm once it settles.

[onyxite]

Anyone tried using dirt under sand? I've heard it's a great combo for plants, but I'm worried about it messing with the water. My tank's a 12-gallon with a canister filter, and I'm trying to go full walstad.

[goldfinch]

Dirt's sketchy if you don't cap it right. I tried it once, and it turned my tank into a mud pit. Stick with sand or aquasoil unless you're ready for the hassle. My 10-gallon's got sand, and it's been smooth sailing.