Cool-looking alternative substrate for bare bottoms

[HarleyK]

Howdy,

I saw this "sandpaper" in a store tank and first thought it was regular small gravel substrate. Until I noticed a wrinkle. This has the real deal look, combined with the simplicity of a substrate-free tank.

 

[ShanerBock888]

Pretty good idea. do you know a brand name or something? would be interested to see more but did a quick google search with no luck

 

[kno4te]

That's a great idea or product.

 

[fishfanatic80]

People normally do tile or keep it barebottom for easier clean up, I feel like this would take away from that as debris will still get stuck in between the rocks. I also feel like that would be too rough on the fish. I know especially with Africans they'll scratch from time to time on the substrate and this would probably hurt them. I'm sure no bottom dweller would appreciate that as a substrate as well

 

[Sanman]

Wonder how it would look under tank

 

[Fishy-Botany]

Looks like it will fall apart soon, most sand paper I've worked with falls apart when wet for too long.
Plus this would suck for any fish that brushes against it.
Maybe it would still look good if taped to the bottom of the tank on the outside?

 

[Frank Castle]

People normally do tile or keep it barebottom for easier clean up, I feel like this would take away from that as debris will still get stuck in between the rocks. I also feel like that would be too rough on the fish. I know especially with Africans they'll scratch from time to time on the substrate and this would probably hurt them. I'm sure no bottom dweller would appreciate that as a substrate as well

can't help but agree with this whole-heartedly.......I started a bare-bottom tank a few months ago just to try it and see how effective it is, and I have never had such an easy time cleaning. Considering various substrates to give it more body and character but sacrificing that easy-cleaning for anything just seems not worth it.

I think aside from debris and detritus getting stuck to it, if you have fish that like to dig, they will just resent you for playing a trick on them LOL Might be ok for certain species, but probably limited to Tetras, Danios, Mollys, and other dithers mainly, IMO.

Looks cool though, shame it wasn't designed a little more......."thought-out"

 

[Ihsnshaik]

I like bare bottom tanks but that looks nice! Walmart uses some vinyl as well like that. I need to see the poop so that would blend too much lol

 

[Hendre]

I would like to have a black bottom and back w/ little gravel baskets for plants

 

[HarleyK]

I would like to have a black bottom and back w/ little gravel baskets for plants

I achieved that on my 75 gal by using large black trash bags, attached on the outside with tape.
Instead of baskets or pots, I simply tied java fern on wood and large rocks.