Who Gives A Fish Forums

I used to be all about tanks 20 years ago, and back then it was all about under gravel filters and standard aquarium gravel. Fast forward to today, and it seems like everyone's switched to sand. When I got back into the hobby, I experimented with both under gravel filter plates and without - my next tank's gonna be sand, but right now I'm really loving river rock, about 1 inch in diameter. I've got a few reasons for that, and I'm actually wishing I'd done river rock in more of my tanks. I've still got two 30 gallon long tanks to set up, and those will definitely be river rock, along with any new ones I get. I like that I can use different colors in different tanks for some variety. Plants that don't do well buried do great when I use a piece of lead-free solder to anchor them, and my Cory's and coolie loaches are thriving in the river rock - they love swimming between the gaps in the larger stones. Has anyone else tried using just river rocks in a tank?

It's quite tricky to pinpoint the most natural approach, as I always assumed a river bed couldn't be purely fine-grain sand, yet I've come across footage that proves otherwise. However, many river beds, especially in Central America, resemble what you've described with river rocks.

In larger tanks, it's still challenging to replicate the diverse habitats our fish inhabit. A typical 1.2m long tank, up to 60cm deep, can't compare to the vast environments these fish are adapted to, where they might transition between sand, large rocks, pebbles, and dense leaf litter.

Personally, I prefer a mainly sand substrate with larger rocks and, if possible, a gradual transition. I find sand easier to maintain and gentler on the fish, while the graded substrates create a more natural aesthetic for me as an observer.

There's still a place for gravel, in my opinion. It's not like under gravel filter plates have become completely obsolete either. Sand has its own set of advantages and is perfect for certain environments and fish, but gravel can be just as suitable for others. I personally have a soft spot for both. For instance, an aquarium full of Zebra Danios with gravel can closely resemble a trout stream, with all its rugged beauty. Sand just wouldn't be able to replicate that same effect.

It really depends on the specific biotope you're trying to replicate. I've got some fish that would thrive in a substrate that's essentially quicksand, but that's not exactly practical for a home aquarium. I've found a brown pool filter sand/gravel that works well for my Corydoras, and I often mix it with playground sand - it's a combination that's proven effective for me, and worth the extra trip to the pool supply store.

I've had some tanks that have been running for 15 years, and the substrate in them is still the same - a testament to the fact that, with proper maintenance, gravel and sand can be just as good as any other substrate. I've also had tanks that I've let dry out and then restarted with the same substrate, and it's worked out just fine.

As for river rock, I'm not a fan of using it as a primary substrate - it can be a decay trap, and I've found that it's better to scatter it on top of sand or use rounded beach pebbles to create hiding places for fry. I also like to use larger rocks to create a sense of randomness and visual interest. Ultimately, what works for one person might not work for another - one person's gravel could be another's sand, and it's all about finding what works best for your specific setup.

willie32 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 05, 2022 8:49 am It's quite tricky to pinpoint the most natural approach, as I always assumed a river bed couldn't be purely fine-grain sand, yet I've come across footage that proves otherwise. However, many river beds, especially in Central America, resemble what you've described with river rocks.

In larger tanks, it's still challenging to replicate the diverse habitats our fish inhabit. A typical 1.2m long tank, up to 60cm deep, can't compare to the vast environments these fish are adapted to, where they might transition between sand, large rocks, pebbles, and dense leaf litter.

Personally, I prefer a mainly sand substrate with larger rocks and, if possible, a gradual transition. I find sand easier to maintain and gentler on the fish, while the graded substrates create a more natural aesthetic for me as an observer.

I've been grappling with the world of substrates since joining this forum, especially after bringing home my cories. It's a challenge to replicate the natural environment in a glass box, but I believe it's worth the effort. I've been experimenting with a tank that's half sand, half gravel, and I've come to realize that each has its benefits and drawbacks.

I'm fascinated by tiered, mixed substrate biotopes and aquascapes, and I'm eager to learn how to recreate them in my own tanks. I have plans to set up new tanks, each with different substrate considerations for the various species I want to keep. For instance, I'm thinking of creating a large tank for a group of botiid loaches, with strong flow, few plants in the substrate, and a mix of river rocks and stones. I'd also like to incorporate a height difference in the substrate, possibly with grain size changes and a sandy area.

I'm also planning to set up a tank with a planted substrate, featuring a variety of plants and no substrate disturbers. And, of course, I want to create a haven for my cory gang and plecs, with a large fine sand area and a higher area with different grain sizes, where mulm can form and oak and almond leaves can break down. I'm convinced that the micro critters that thrive in this environment are essential for my pygmy cory fry, and I want to learn more about how to create the perfect substrate for them.

I want to explore a range of substrates for different fishes' needs, and I appreciate the wealth of knowledge shared in this community. Speaking of which, I recently came across a post that highlighted the potential risks of anaerobic bacteria in sand-only substrates. As someone who's concerned about the well-being of my fish, I'm grateful for the insight and I'm eager to learn more about this topic. The fact that sand has become increasingly popular in our hobby makes me wonder if we're taking this issue seriously enough.

I've experimented with various substrates in my tanks - from bare bottom to sand, small gravel, and even large river gravel. I've also used large river rocks on top of the substrate for added visual interest. However, I've never tried an all-small river rock setup. One concern I have with this layout is the potential for debris accumulation in certain areas, making cleaning and locating these spots challenging.

Using downward-facing powerheads with gentle flow might help stir up the debris, allowing the filters to capture it before it settles. In my planted tanks, I often use a thin layer of sand, but I attach the plants to rocks, wood, or even plant them in clay pots within the substrate. This approach has worked well for me.

I've had success breeding Bristlenose plecos and B&W Hypancistrus in tanks with different substrates, including bare bottom, sand, and small gravel. The Bristlenose plecos are usually in planted tanks, while the Hypancistrus are in unplanted tanks.

I've got one tank with no under gravel filter plate, just 1-3" river rounds, and I still vacuum the rocks, but not too much since my Coolie loaches live among them. This tank's got a great balance going on - a big population of pond snails and assassin snails that work the gaps between the rocks with the loaches, plus a pretty high fish density, and lots of Java Fern on the bottom. It's been about a year now, and everything's been good.

One thing I'm not a fan of with deeper sand is the risk of bacteria pockets. For my next tank, which will have a sand bottom, I'm planning to keep the sand pretty shallow - only about an inch deep. I'll be using a slightly coarser sand than I did in my last tank, which should still be fine for my Corys and the earth-eating Cichlids that'll be going in there. I'm hoping the thin layer of sand, combined with the sand-sifting fish, will keep the sand moved around enough to prevent any bacteria pockets from forming.

I'm still experimenting with substrates, and I've been trying to track down a brand of black sand that won't be too harsh for my bottom dwellers. Most of what I've found online seems to be quartz-based, which I'm worried might be too abrasive. Has anyone else had luck finding a more gentle black sand option?

wandg wrote: ↑Tue Sep 06, 2022 4:38 am I'm still experimenting with substrates, and I've been trying to track down a brand of black sand that won't be too harsh for my bottom dwellers. Most of what I've found online seems to be quartz-based, which I'm worried might be too abrasive. Has anyone else had luck finding a more gentle black sand option?

I've had great success with Unipac black limpopo sand, and @angelica also swears by it - if you can get your hands on it, I'd definitely recommend giving it a try. My cories and plecos have been doing fantastically well on it, and I know Seangee is super careful about what he uses in his tanks, so that's a big plus in my book.

I've found a substrate that I think will work well for my next tank setup. I'm going with a black sand, and I've opted for the Unipac black limpopo sand. It's the same one @belleora uses, and I trust her judgment since she has a lot of cories and plecos in her tank without any issues.