Bare Bottom or gravel

[jpjn]

If you like the gravel look, perhaps you can just remove SOME of the gravel. If the substrate isn't too deep, the junk won't get trapped beneath it as easily. I do that in my angelfish tanks (20 gallon tanks). Keep just a thin layer of gravel so I can vacuum right down to the bottom and move the gravel around as I'm vacuuming.

However, I like sand better in my larger tanks with larger fish (such as oscars, flowerhorns, etc). Also some fish have their preference and needs. My Eartheater needs sand. My Frontosa and Ghost Knife love the sand.
With Oscars, I don't think they really care. In fact, mine usually prefer resting on the bottom where the sand has been cleared away (BB). And Oscars are such messy eaters. BB might work out better for you.

 

[Headrush]

Yes MOST,but when you have a 48x18"footprint with 4" of substrate,then you have major additional colonies.........

I'm sorta going with jpjn too on this. I have the same footprint 48 x 18 in my 90 and only have 1 1/2"-2" of substrate. I use the gravel vac every water change 1 per week and it cleans it right to the bottom. Maybe you should remove 1/2 of it and try it that way for a couple water changes. My SA/CA cichlids are doing well and I don't find too much getting past the vac either

Good luck

 

[aro-discus]

I like BB compared to gravel because its easier to keep clean but gravel looks better, IMO.

Never tried sand yet but doesn't the sand get sucked out into the yard or down the drain when you're cleaning it?

 

[Aribenlaw]

Where's a good place to pick up sand?

 

[jpjn]

You must develope a technique with vacuuming a sand bottom tank. It doesn't get sucked out once you get the hang of it. The Python will suck up some sand along with the junk, but then you'll see the sand drop right back out as the junk is being sucked through. I got my sand from a local mom and pop aqua-pets store.

One thing I'll warn you about with sand, is, only have a very thin layer! You don't want it deep at all. Just enough to cover the bottom. If it's more then that, it can release poisonous gases into the water because it becomes too tightly packed and clumps. In my 75 gallon I only used one small bag of black sand.

 

[jonahonah]

I would love it for this thread to continue as i think we need more opinions. Im trying to decide if i want substrate for my new 120. Going to have an odoe and possibly an eel or bichir. Though if i can get them i may get cudas
and grow them out. I have lots of driftwood which i was going to tie plants to.
Should i have substrate with such predatory fish? Have tried sand and gravel, found sand a pain to clean. Gravel for such a footprint as 48x24 is going to cost a bit and i have limited funds


What are peoples opinions, particularly those with 120g and over, bare bottom or gravel/sand

 

[krzr3000]

There is nothing hard about vacuuming sand, you do it once and you know how to. Sand is in many cases natural looking, and lots of fish love it. And if you are worried about sand being sucked into your filtration then utilize some prefilters. This isnt rocket science.

You can get pool filter sand for about $5-10 for a 50lb bag.

IMO bare bottom looks awful and unnatural.

 

[jonahonah]

I always seemed to suck stuff up and then when it went down the drain the missus complained about sand in the bath, pain to wash it away.

 

[krzr3000]

I always seemed to suck stuff up and then when it went down the drain the missus complained about sand in the bath, pain to wash it away.

I hear ya, what about siphoning out a window?

 

[jonahonah]

Live in a basement suite so ground level is higher than the tank and that buggers up the physics of syphoning, though basement with concrete floor means big tanks.