eel friendly substrate

[stuwil]

what does everyone use and find the best?
i just took out my gravel thinking of riversand

 

[Krawnik]

Paint the outside bottom of your tank (I used paint that looks like gravel) and go bare bottom!

 

[jprp]

sand always

 

[MonsterMinis]

non-silica based sand, fine pool filter gravel, smooth gravel. pretty much avoid anything you think might scratch 'em up. Mine is barebottom, but thats more for ease of cleaning then astetics. It has grown on me though.

 

[prskiller]

Lapis Lustre #12 sand

 

[assortedsorts]

Pool filter sand.
My peacock eels love to bury themselves and play in the sand.

 

[klauklau]

I have 5 yellow tail eels in a tank with smooth river gravel and they bury themselves in it but prefer to burrow through the suspended java moss taking up good portion of the tank. My fire eel is in a tank with smooth river gravel as well, and will burrow in with no problem. It also like to rest in a "cave" much of the time.

 

[Cichlaholics Anonymous]

Paint the outside bottom of your tank (I used paint that looks like gravel) and go bare bottom!

the eels will be stressed without sand to dig in, even more without any substrate at all

 

[Fishwish]

I have yet to own an eel that will burrow in my tank even though they were up to their eyes at the LFS. I moved my TT from a gravel-bottom 55 to sand-bottom 110 thinking he may just enjoy the "feel" of sand. He still prefers his hidey holes and has yet to burrow. I keep heavily planted tanks with wood and rocks, so he's perfectly at ease. Perhaps the burrowing is a "last resort" hiding place in a mosty barren tank.
I say you my as well just use what you like...

 

[Krawnik]

the eels will be stressed without sand to dig in, even more without any substrate at all

I've got plenty of hiding places for them, just no substrate. They don't appear stressed in any way, actually seem to like their home.

Works for me. Happy fish + lower maintenance = bonus!