How important is gravel

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
T

TCZeli

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Jun 27, 2007
1,388
3
68
NJ
I HATE GRAVEL!

It's a pain to clean and I see more and more ppl have bare bottoms. I do not want any gravel in my new tank when I get it. But I have a couple questions. I know gravel is home to beneficial bacteria to grow, so am I better off just keeping it? Wont the bacteria grow on the drifwood and large rocks I have in my tank?
Also I am aware that some fish require some type of gravel, does this apply to Bichirs? I do not mean if they perfer it I mean NEED it. Will I run into any problems with bichirs in a tank with no gravel?
What are your thoughts on this?
 
Whether or not you NEED it is going to get all sorts of opinions I think.
I say it's a combo. of your preference and what makes your particular fish comfortable.
 
I dont use it but occasionally need to throw in a handful if the fish species needs to shift some gravel around to spawn.

For the fish species which need plants to spawn - I keep plants in a small low ceramic pot. Easy to pull out for cleaning or move from tank to tank.

I love a nicely planted tank even though I dont have the patience or time or skill to keep one for long.
 
Thanks for your thoughts on whether or not gravel is good for certain fish but I am more interested in the beneficial bacteria question. Is it possible to have enough beneficial bacteria with out gravel? I really dont care for it anymore, but dont want my tank to suffer because of it.
 
Usually personal preference. I like the look of gravel so I'm willing to do a bit more work. As long as you have sufficient biological filtration generally it's not a problem
 
anyone else have some info. Just want to get as much input as I can because I am hoping to get rid of my gravel but dont want to be writing my next thread in the "lessons learned" forum. LOL
 
My wife and I always use crushed coral and we have found that our water stability is WAY better with it. Niether of us care for the look of a bare bottom tank and I seriously doubt that any fish you're likely to run into find bare glass comforting or natural. Your question however was if it was NECESSARY... I think that a substraite helps in many ways but it's not really needed...
 
having gravel is you choice. there will be plenty of space in your filter for beneficial bacteria to grow. and if your worried about that get a larger filter
 
If you don't want any substrate, get a wet/dry or add on a few more filters. That should do the trick.
 
if your filter media volume is enough, it should be fine
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom