Another sand question...sorry

[Muske]

Does the color of substrate really effect the color of the fish.
IE. Dark or black sub. will make Leleupi seem "dirty" or washed out.
I've got a pair of J. marlieri. The female is in the main tank w/ light colored tan gravel. However her cave is lacerock and she spends most of her time in or around the rocks. The white color on her body doesn't seem to pop as much as it could. Looks like the white is darker in an attempt to camo. herself. The male had to get moved into the sump to grow a little more. His white is great. No substrate in the sump. It is clear plexi on white melamine base inside the cabinet. Also to fry in he sump are showing better white.
All of that being said.... I need to know for my 110 if to do black sand (which I prefer), or use a lighter color since I will have at least one leleupi and some more julies in the new tank.

 

[Ash]

My fish pop out more with a light substrate and set-up and black background. However my paratilapia pops out with a light and medium colors and not dark colors. If they pop out more on a light color, then thats probably what your going to want to go with. If they pop-out more on a dark background then go with that. To me it sounds like you want to go with a lighter color then black, if your fish are poping out more and seem more colorful with the white on the bottom. If they pop out more with the white on the bottom then maybe you want to try a light color. What you could do is try and get 2 - 5 gallons or 10gallons and put one color contrast in one and the other color contrast in the other and see what you like.

 

[Muske]

gracias....I know I like the dark look, I'm just worried that the fish may seem a little drab, possibally even to the point of unhealthy.

 

[Ash]

I know what you mean I was thinking about doing black because I liked it and never tried it before, but with my fronts it made them look blehh, of course I made the mistake that time of just throwing it in my 150 and having to take it all back out x__x

 

[ziggy2]

I like a more natural look. So I go with a lighter color tan.

 

[TheFanatic]

I like a more natural look. So I go with a lighter color tan.

I have done this look for about 20 years. Shook it up in my 110 Peacock tank. Went with white and black sand. I like it a lot.

 

[DISCIPLE]

i use black subtrates and it definitely helps bring out the vibrant colorations of my fish. however it may depend upon the species as well water quality too.

 

[groovitudedude]

I have substrate that's black and purple.