New to Polypterus - Substrate Advice!

[ShanerBock888]

I recently just got my first poly and soon I will be getting a couple more. For now they'll be in a 35 gal with a brownish gravel, but soon they'll be moved to a 180 and I'm trying to decide on a substrate color for the new tank. I've seen that white dulls them out, Black darkens them up but reduces contrast, and Red is the best for keeping blacks black and light colors bright while maintaining contrast. Unfortunately, I really really don't like red. So my question is, what does everyone think is another good option for keeping their colors sharp? So far I really like the way my Senegalus' colors have adjusted in the gravel I have her on now, but I don't have much to compare it to. What would be great is if people could post pics of the same poly with different substrate for comparison, but any advice is appreciated!

 

[tlindsey]

don't

I recently just got my first poly and soon I will be getting a couple more. For now they'll be in a 35 gal with a brownish gravel, but soon they'll be moved to a 180 and I'm trying to decide on a substrate color for the new tank. I've seen that white dulls them out, Black darkens them up but reduces contrast, and Red is the best for keeping blacks black and light colors bright while maintaining contrast. Unfortunately, I really really don't like red. So my question is, what does everyone think is another good option for keeping their colors sharp? So far I really like the way my Senegalus' colors have adjusted in the gravel I have her on now, but I don't have much to compare it to. What would be great is if people could post pics of the same poly with different substrate for comparison, but any advice is appreciated!

J jaws7777
DMD123
Dr.B
Polyaddict86
kno4te
Vancouver_98683
ExoticGREEN

 

[DMD123]

Welcome to the addictive world of polys!

I use Carib Sea Peace River sand and am happy with the overall look of my polys. I guess my endli and koliba lap. would show better on the red but my weeksii, teugelsi show just fine.

 

[ShanerBock888]

Welcome to the addictive world of polys!

I use Carib Sea Peace River sand and am happy with the overall look of my polys. I guess my endli and koliba lap. would show better on the red but my weeksii, teugelsi show just fine.

haha they really are addictive!

yeah I really like the look of that sand, thanks for the recommendation

 

[kno4te]

If ur happy with the look of it now on ur current gravel....then ur set. But yes garnett/red toward that color tame is the best to bring out bichirs colors.

 

[DMD123]

This is my endli on the CaribSea Peace River

Endli and weeksii

Koliba

Teugelsi

Overall I think the endli and koliba would benefit from red but I don't think the weeksii and teugelsi it would matter one bit.

 

[ShanerBock888]

If ur happy with the look of it now on ur current gravel....then ur set. But yes garnett/red toward that color tame is the best to bring out bichirs colors.

Haha yeah I kinda agree, but since these are my first poly's I can't help but wonder if I'd be MORE happy with another color. I'd always wonder "what if" lol

DMD123 yeah they look great on that, definitely going to seriously consider that one

 

[kno4te]

I understand. The other people on the forum have some great polys to show you.

Mine are fades out on plain white gravel.

 

[Vancouver_98683]

Welcome to the addictive world of polys!

I use Carib Sea Peace River sand is
and am happy with the overall look of my polys. I guess my endli and koliba lap. would show better on the red but my weeksii, teugelsi show just fine.

+1 on Caribesea natural products is a good natural choice would be 2nd/3rd selection after red. Believe this color medly is aesthetically the best natural look for the tank. I mixed my red gravel into my caribesea Floramax (plant type clay mix.same colors as the sand).

 

[ShanerBock888]

nice, that looks great