Which color substrate for show tank?

[P3R3]

I am having trouble deciding what kind of substrate to use for my 50G show tank which contains a EB Jack Dempsey. I want to highlight his colors. I was thinking about getting black substrate but I am afraid he will darken his color.

Thanks!

 

[Vitaliy]

I would go with either black or natural sand on the darker side.

 

[P3R3]

Anyone suggest a rare/stunning fish to add to my 50G? I was looking at a Syn Petricola, Royal Farowella, Medusa Pleco, or Queen Arb pleco. What would be a good bottom dweller for my tank?

 

[Ash]

Well if you add a dweller keep in mind its colors also when you add in the substrate. I had peacock cichlid show tank with a black background and sand substrate and the colors came off nicely. Anywho I think Id agree with Vitaliy on natural darker sand or black bottom.

 

[Gr8KarmaSF]

black!

 

[thebestincali2000]

definetly black.i have a tiger loach and he does fine with my dads JD.

 

[knightmare1968]

Black... I have Tahtian moon sand in my 55 gallon and it looks great

 

[gomezladdams]

For a dempsey I would go with black sand.

 

[dr_sudz]

Black is the ultimate color for showing off your fish. It can only help but stand out against the black background and bottom.

 

[DRONE017E]

deffinately sand, if gravel they will dig it up, sand is ahrder for them to move.