effects of no substrate

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mrfuzz

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 31, 2008
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Florida
What are the long term effects of not having a substrate in a fresh water tank.


I know that any substrate, sand or gravel helps promote and keep bacterial growth.


Reason I ask is simply because I know someone who decided not to add sand as I told them too ( pool filter sand ) since they are on budget. They just simply added alot of rocks to bottom of tank, along with stacking some slate. All I could do was roll my eyes at this fact.

I'm aware that no substrate is okay for a short term quarantine tank, but for long time use?
 
it does indeed add surface area, but it also makes cleaning much harder. I removed all substrate in my monster tank, so now I can see all the debris I need to vacuum. Just provide more surface area in the filter, and it won't cause any problems. Long term or short term, it makes no difference.
 
I think it looks stupid unless you have enough large rocks to cover the bottom or lots of driftwood. Even with a painted bottom it just looks lame to me when people have bare tanks, not natural at all. Just my .02, aside from aesthetics so long as it's filtered enough I don't see an issue.
 
there is no bad long term effects. it means a little less area for bacteria but then there is a lot less waist so it balances out.
 
in the past ive had experience where the fish would go crazy without substrate.they would look down and keep swimming,gliding across the tank back and forth.
 
Its not so much an eye sore, It does not look too bad at all, but there are some small bare spots. granted right now it looks like a river setup without the driftwood =P

But its going to be a basic 55G community tank, and thats the point im pushing to them. However, I suppose I cant hold their hand on this..
 
I just set up my 55 to be a grow out tank for discus. When I removed the substrate all my fish started beating their heads on the floor. I have a very thin layer of sand now ;)
 
no effects at all. if youre relying your substrate for beneficial bacteria, then you are severly under-filtered. IMO, i like bare bottom tanks better, especially in big tanks. its soooo much easier to keep the water clear and your parameters in check
 
mrfuzz;2027373; said:
They just simply added alot of rocks to bottom of tank, along with stacking some slate. All I could do was roll my eyes at this fact.
Click to expand...

As already mentioned, there's no problem at all with no substrate tanks. Bare-bottom setups are very commonly used for breeding and fry-raising purposes.

I would caution against the setup you're describing, though. Large rocks + large pieces of slate is a maintenance nightmare. Gunk is going to be caught under those big rocks and it will be very difficult to remove without pulling everything out.
 
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