Substrate opinion.

[Hendre]

This is a planting substrate, be warned it will create an ammonia spike for tank cycling. Otherwise looks good and I would consider some planting if I were you

IMO using some décor such as wood, rocks and plants w/ a black background would inspire the best look

 

[Hao]

This is a planting substrate, be warned it will create an ammonia spike for tank cycling. Otherwise looks good and I would consider some planting if I were you

IMO using some décor such as wood, rocks and plants w/ a black background would inspire the best look

Would I still get that problem if I were to rinse it thoroughly? I would do plants but it's a lot of work. I'll just stick to fake plants.
Well my tank looked like this last year. I plan on going back to a similar look once my fish grow a little bigger.

 

[Hendre]

you will, it leaches for a while. after about 2-3 weeks it cycles smaller tanks I think

looks good

 

[Hao]

you will, it leaches for a while. after about 2-3 weeks it cycles smaller tanks I think

looks good

Looks like I'll stay away from it then. LOL

 

[Aquatank]

dude just a suggestion
why dont you try the golden mix
75 % sand or gravel mixed with 25 % river soil or potting soil
makes the tank look like a biotope and more natural

 

[Hao]

dude just a suggestion
why dont you try the golden mix
75 % sand or gravel mixed with 25 % river soil or potting soil
makes the tank look like a biotope and more natural

I still would like a reddish color substrate to keep the bichirs color/contrast.

 

[Aquatank]

so try a red soil with higher clay content as it also helps in maintaining the water perimeters

 

[jaws7777]

I dont like lots of wood... when they get bigger its just something they will smash into
Hao just bored with the red ? Zilch used some pretty cool substrate maybe he cn help

Zilch

 

[Polyaddict86]

Stay with sand, less cleaning and no need to vacuum

 

[Hao]

I dont like lots of wood... when they get bigger its just something they will smash into
Hao just bored with the red ? Zilch used some pretty cool substrate maybe he cn help

Zilch

I'm okay with red garnet. Just thought the other substrate looked cool. and Zlich's substrate reminds me of my old substrate before garnet.