If I could have a constant supply of fresh new water running thru my tanks at the right temp then yes I would add substrate but the reality is we have to recycle our water with the use of filters. I have fish that are 12yrs old and never had any substrate in their tanks.
Bare bottom tanks
- Thread starter dragonfish
- Start date
Bare bottoms are more efficient for keeping the water clean IMO
In my 90 gallon I have
ATF 4-5 inches
BIG rhino Pleco
4-5 inch butis butis
I do water changes every 3 days at about 35-40% I tested my water a week ago and both ammonia and nitrate came back negative on a tank that has been running for 3 years.
I think you would be hard pressed to bring nitrates to Almost 0 with a tank with gravel hiding all kinds of junk.
In my 90 gallon I have
ATF 4-5 inches
BIG rhino Pleco
4-5 inch butis butis
I do water changes every 3 days at about 35-40% I tested my water a week ago and both ammonia and nitrate came back negative on a tank that has been running for 3 years.
I think you would be hard pressed to bring nitrates to Almost 0 with a tank with gravel hiding all kinds of junk.
I can bring my tank nitrates down to zero with substrate, but it does go back up quicker then it would for you barebottom keepers. I like the look of a tank with substrate best and wouldn't keep a tank bare, but, I do like the way bare bottoms look and looking at barebottoms in photo is pleasent to the eye. But in person from different angels barebottom loses it apeal to me.
It personal preference and I like seeing my cichlids moving gravel.
It personal preference and I like seeing my cichlids moving gravel.
I was not a big fan of bare bottoms at first. I now have my discus in a BB and think it looks great. Of my 6 main tanks 2 are planted w/driftwood 1 is heavily aquascaped with large rock, 2 have just basic gravel and one is bare bottom. I don't think it's right or wrong just a matter of preference.
All my tanks have substrate.
I think it depends on what kind of fish you are keeping. Geo's like sifting through sand or fine gravel, which I have in their tank.
My midas hybrid, other CA/SA cichlids enjoy digging. I have granite pea gravel in my midas hybrid's tank. Yes its a pain in the A to clean but its worth the extra work so he can have something to move around and occupy his time.
If I kept aro's or something that didn't dig, I would consider having a bare bottom.
Burt
I think it depends on what kind of fish you are keeping. Geo's like sifting through sand or fine gravel, which I have in their tank.
My midas hybrid, other CA/SA cichlids enjoy digging. I have granite pea gravel in my midas hybrid's tank. Yes its a pain in the A to clean but its worth the extra work so he can have something to move around and occupy his time.
If I kept aro's or something that didn't dig, I would consider having a bare bottom.
Burt
i can keep discus alive in a substrate tank, but I can make them thrive and spawn in bare bottom. i don't need to decide which is best, the fish tell me.
each has it's place, I have both.
now, about that wack and ugly pink/purple gravel i see some of you using... oh wait, sorry.
windsurfer...
each has it's place, I have both.
now, about that wack and ugly pink/purple gravel i see some of you using... oh wait, sorry.
windsurfer...
Not to sound too indifferent but I like both bare bottom and with some sand or gravel. Right now I have one with gravel and one with natural sand and I like the way it looks, and I think my fish like it to. Hopefully in the near future I will have a tank big enough for a big arow, and plan on going with bare bottom. I don't think the arow would mind not having any gravel, and I love the way all those bare bottom arow tanks you guys have look. So sleek.
Burtess;773528; said:All my tanks have substrate.
I think it depends on what kind of fish you are keeping. Geo's like sifting through sand or fine gravel, which I have in their tank.
My midas hybrid, other CA/SA cichlids enjoy digging. I have granite pea gravel in my midas hybrid's tank. Yes its a pain in the A to clean but its worth the extra work so he can have something to move around and occupy his time.
If I kept aro's or something that didn't dig, I would consider having a bare bottom.
Burt
AGREED, i have Geos and a Ray in Sand...
I have baby Dats Barebottom
And i have Breeding convicts and some other S/S cichlids with sand to have fun in....
All depends on what fish, and preference...
Changing?...toehead11183;772497; said:
I can't remember off hand the last time I changed out mechanical media, my mech medias, i.e. sponges & blue bonded padding last for a very long time with just rinsings... I don't change it until it is literally ready to fall apart.
Remember, most mech medias double as good bio-media too, shame to toss BB
It is purely a matter of preference, bare or substrate, pro/con.
If you want the look of substrate but the benefits of bare bottom, why not do both? That guy's nuts you say! No, not at all. Get yourself some clear acrylic casting resin from a craft shop. Clean out the bottom of your tank. Then pour a thin coat of acrylic on the bottom. Add your substrate, then pour another layer of acrylic heavy enough to embed the substrate in solid acrylic. Let cure. You now have the best of both. People have been doing this in reef tanks for several years now. I don't really understand why the freshwater crowd hasn't followed. Am I the only one?
