Demasoni - which substrate?

[Dego510]

I currently have a 55 gallon with 16 demasoni, 6 labs, and 3 Acei. My background is black, my rocks are slate, and my substrate is currently black gravel.

My question is what substrate will bring out the beautiful colors of these fish, primarily the demasoni? Out of the following two options, should I keep the black gravel or should I replace it with pool filter sand?

Please advise based on your experiences or tanks that you may have seen.

 

[JoeBel]

My Dems look nice against my white sand, I would think a lighter color substrate would bring out their colors best. Especially think 50% of their bodies are black. I say go with a natural or white stand and the contrast of darker rocks.

Your light will also play into what makes their colors look best. I think a 50/50 bulb will bring out the best in most AC's. I've also got Labs & Acei's in my tank, here's a pic of it:

 

[ADS]

i would use pool filter sand which i what i use at home an it works great

 

[Dego510]

I may go buy pool sand, however, would going with black sand be better? Will the colors pop more with black sand or tan sand?

 

[NotoriousSway]

+3 for pool filter sand!

Personally I would go with white/tan sand to make the colors pop and it would look better with black background and black slate, I think if you used black sand it might be to much black.