• We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo

Sand vs. Bare Bottom

X

xx WingZero xx

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
I have some questions about substrate. I am sick of gravel it is terrible. So I want to know what the pros and cons are of bare bottom and sand, and which would be preferable for my situation.

I have a 240 acrylic with Oscars, an Arowana, and a jaguar cichlid. Also a tiger shovel.

I am leaning towards bare bottom, I have outlets in the bottom of he tank so I am hoping that the fish waste would be sucked up and equal less siphoning (I'd rather clean the filters everyday than use the python once a week). Though I don't want to deprive my fish of a semi-natural setting, also I don't want my catfish to injure their bellies.

Thanks for the input!
 
BB is much easier to maintain, the look can be enhanced by having black background and bottom and a nice piece of driftwood to give a minimalist or Zen feel ;)
 
Some of my fish swim into the bottom, due to the reflection. Thats some stress but not as much as the stress from a damn gravel vac every week or the stress of bad water quality from dirt in the gravel.
 
I personally prefer the look of a substrate rather than BB... especially since in the long run it does help hold a bit more Beneficial Bacteria... but it all comes down to what you want to do personally... i just prefer a more natural looking tank > a tank just full of nice fish and nothing else...
 
xx WingZero xx;3851846; said:
would the lack of substrate put any stress on the fish?
Click to expand...


none that i have seen. i have had my fish in everything from fully planted to bare bottom, and have not noticed any change in behavior.
also, assuming you have a proper filter on your tank, you dont have to worry about beneficial bacteria in the substrate. the amount of bacteria on the surfaces of the tank/decor/substrate is nearly immesurable in comparison to that which is in your canister/ sump/ AC HOB.

adding DW, rocks, and potted plants (or plants attached to the DW and rocks) can add a lot to your tank visually, while maintaining the benefits of the bare bottom.
 
i think nothing beats the look of sand. its not as easy to clean as bare, but still easy to clean and looks way better IMO
 
marauders30;3851874; said:
i think nothing beats the look of sand. its not as easy to clean as bare, but still easy to clean and looks way better IMO
Click to expand...

No question it looks better but is that worth it for the extra work of cleaning? it depends on how lazy you are. Im king of lazy, I just drain water from my fx5 outlet and add water after draining 75%. It takes almost no effort
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top