OK most of my tanks are bare bottom.... only because when i started Discus I was told that it was a good way to keep the Nitrates down because gunk gets caught in the gravel. With CA cichlids is this really a big deal??? because I would really like to decorate my Jag tank a bit and would love to see it with some aquascaping. Does havin a thin layer of substrate make any difference what so ever??? like a little gravel vac while water change is not that big of a deal.
Bare Bottom vs Substrate
- Thread starter Chago09
- Start date
Use a large grain pool filter sand for substrate. It's attractive, easy to clean and my cichlids seem to really dig it! (Pun intended)
i have some mixed thoughts on substrate. my fish love it obviously and it does remove the reflections you get from the tank bottom that seem to scare them for one as well as water down their colors.
that being said you need to make sure you keep substrate clean. simply changing the water isn't enough. you need to siphon it to get out the gunk that gets stuck there. it's a bit of a chore when it comes to maintenance. so it's somewhat a double edged sword.
that being said you need to make sure you keep substrate clean. simply changing the water isn't enough. you need to siphon it to get out the gunk that gets stuck there. it's a bit of a chore when it comes to maintenance. so it's somewhat a double edged sword.
imo bare bottom tanks dont show off fish that well, particually sa and ca cichlids. Nitrates will not be a huge issue with these fish just do the gravel siphons along with fairly large w/c and you will be fine. By the way another reason people dont use substrate with discus is because it can harbor disease.
I have eternal mixed feelings on bb vs. substrate also. A few of my tanks are compromised by only using an inch or so gravel instead of 3-4 in. Gravel vacuuming with the intent of breaking the ammonia cycle is not nearly as difficult with just a thin layer.
Something about a BB tank reminds of a 6x12 foot bare concrete cell or a zoo enclosure from 20 years ago. IMO The aquatic environmrnt should be as intresting to the fish as it is to the viewer.
The 'Fish farm' look might well be better for keeping large numbers of fish with less maintaince but it's not a very impressive display.
The 'Fish farm' look might well be better for keeping large numbers of fish with less maintaince but it's not a very impressive display.
i seen someone paint the bottom of the tank black(outside bottom) and it looked like there was a substrate in it....im thinking about doing it myself...but then i'd have to empty the tank.....but then i also heard that no gravel is a bad thing as it acts like a biofilter...is this right??? what would be better for the water....substrate...or no substare???? im glad this thread came up...i always wondered this