Best color substrate to use?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I use to only have 3M colorquartz "T" grade (black) in my tanks but have since started using smaller sized river rock from Home Depot. It has a great combo of natural dark & light colored rocks. I switched due to the fact that the river rock was under $4 bag, can't beat that ;).

"pic with the river rock"
 
I prefer natural small round riverrock gravel or white/earth colored sand, as my tanks are all setup to be natural looking.
 
Alright, it looks like I might try some lighter colored sand...but how does the substrate color affect the fishes coloring?
 
If you go with light colored sand, paint the back of the tank black. My 55g has regular play sand and before I painted it the fish were paler and colors less noticeable. Once I painted it black the fish darkened up considerably so now their colors stand out, especially against the lighter sand.
 
Aquanero;4433096; said:
I usually mix TMS & PFS and use a black background. I like the way TMS looks but it's so lite that any digging or sudden movement blows the stuff right up into the filter intake. I found mixed is the best way to use it. I have also mixed PFS with natural gravel and that's a good look too. If you go with the TMS I do about 30% black with 70% light.
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do you have any pics Aquanero? would love to see the combo?

I been asking myself the same question about my new tank i will be setting up soon.
i wat to paint the back black but i'm thinking about a dark substrate aswell but worried it might be to dark?? I could go with black background and lighter sand or brown 3d rock back ground and black sand still deciding myself....some pics might help me decide a bit easier.
What colour is pool filter sand?
 
It depends also on how strong your lighting is. If its weak, id suggest using white/light colored sand as it is the main reflecting surface facing perpendicularly to your lighing system, it will help the fish stand out. If you have a powerfull light then go with a black/dark substrate. it will not grow as much algae and will make for a more dramatic look for your fish
 
fg4608;4445341;4445341 said:
Where do you guys get the 3M Color quartz? I've been looking since I'd like to compare it to TMS...
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I am pretty sure that you have to be located near a 3M supplier of some sort, or find the rare shop that has some. Unfortunatly there are not a ton of suppliers around, but you should be able to find there locations by calling or going to there websites. And please, someone correct me if I am wrong about this.
 
I like Schultz's Plant Soil, which is just a lighter baked ceramic "Eco-complete" as near as I can tell; it ups the bio factor and keeps the water clearer, and is that sandstone rust color (colour up here!) that contrasts with your fish colors. And it's 20% of the price of Eco-complete (here we get it at Rona, an American owned builders supply) (British Columbia)
 
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