What substrate should I use in my aquarium?

What substrate should I use in my aquarium?

Gravel is the better choice for most freshwater aquariums. One of the major benefits of gravel is that it allows water to flow through it, preventing the buildup of amoebas and bacteria in the substrate. If allowed to build up for too long, these can sicken your fish and lead to an accumulation of aquarium mold.

Do I need a substrate in my aquarium?

Substrate is part of creating a pleasant habitat for your fish. Plus, it helps to reduce reflections within the tank that can stress fish. Substrate can also be used to improve the chemistry of the water. For instance, if your fish require hard water, a coral substrate can help you achieve the correct balance.

Can I put sand in my freshwater aquarium?

You will want to use sand that is designed to be used in a freshwater aquarium. Most sand is silica-based, and that silica can contribute to brown algae. Aquarium sand that is silica-based will have a coating that prevents this. When shopping for aquarium sand for your freshwater tank, you need to consider grain size.

How thick should aquarium substrate be?

between 3 and 8 mm
Substrate material should be between 3 and 8 mm thick. Large granules will block root growth and smaller ones can actually crush the roots. It is recommended when starting the tank that you add the substrate in phases.

Do aquarium plants grow better in sand or gravel?

A few of the burrowing species prefer sand, but most do fine on gravel if they have rocks and things to hide under. Gravel is also the ideal choice for growing aquatic plants since it allows roots to take in nutrients from the water flowing through the substrate.

How do I choose a substrate?

For instance, if you want to create a planted tank, you want a substrate that supports the roots of your plants, like soil. Likewise, if you have bottom-dwelling fish, you want a smooth, rounded substrate – a sharp substrate can injure your fish.

Can I use normal soil for aquarium?

The answer depends on which kind of soil you decide to use. Chances are, if you use soil taken directly from your garden and placed in the tank, you can kill your fish. This soil is non-organic and therefore harmful to fish. On the other hand, organic soil is acceptable to use and is not as expensive either.

How often should I change aquarium substrate?

In cichlid tanks which require a high PH and hardness, argonite or crushed coral substrate is often used to increase PH. In tanks like these, with these substrates, it may need to be changed every few months to every couple years, depending on the desired PH of the species in the tank.

How many inches of substrate do I need for my aquarium?

How much substrate do you need? The general recommendation is at least 3 inches. Not only will this amount be pleasing to look at, but it is also deep enough to allow plants to root without floating away. While there is no upper limit to how much substrate you should use, there are some things to keep in.

Which is easier to clean sand or gravel?

Gravel is easier to clean with suction because it is not so easily sucked in as sand. There are several tools that work fine for gravel but cannot be applied to sand.

Do Plecos like sand or gravel?

The ideal substrate for plecos is fine gravel or soft sand because it will allow the pleco to filter through the substrate to find food. The tank should be densely planted, especially with broad-leafed species like Java Fern and Anubias, to ensure that the pleco can feed on algae growing on the surface of the leaves.