white gravel, or darker?

[Salty]

I'm in the process of setting up a 45 g. high tank, I was given white gravel with it and a black backround. My question is, would this look alright for a small jd, and a couple of black n white cons? I'm asking cuz I usually use mixed gravel n driftwood. I've always thought white gravel looked kinda fake, or for maybe an african type set up. I also have a breeding pair of pink convicts with about 20- 3 week old fry, would they look better in it? the male is about 5" n the female is at about 3.5"

 

[rottbo]

to many fish the 45 would be perfect fo just the breeding cons and gravel choice is all personal oppinion

 

[Salty]

How about the jd alone? will it bring out his color? or does it not matter?

 

[Bigg081]

How about the jd alone? will it bring out his color? or does it not matter?

no the black bacground will drown him out. lighter background and darker gravel. lighter gravel shows dirt faster, easier.

 

[Salty]

thats what i was thinkin, thanx, bigg081. I kinda thought the white gravel would show alot of grime and algae. what about just leavin the back plain, the wall behind it is white. But there is also a window directly behind it as well. Its in a basement too. I'm setting it up for my father for a bit, he has a gym and I figured it would relax him a bit, while he's working out. I've caught him staring at my tanks before almost in awe, I know he likes them he just wont admit it.

 

[Bigg081]

the window is a BAD idea....natural light = tons of algea! if you wanna clean it that is fine but for less work keep the tank away from natural light as much as possible.

 

[gomezladdams]

sa and ca cichlids color up better over a dark substrate usually,Ive heard african cichlids show better color over lighter substrate.

 

[Jason_S]

dempseys especially will look better on a darker substrate.

 

[Salty]

Well i've set the 45 up. yes its in front of a window, and I know its bad placement. I've set it up like this, black backround, white gravel and 2 millennium 2000 on either side. I also have 2 lights on top, so they almost cover the entire top. I have'nt put any fish in yet, cuz I want to give it time to filter and clean up, there was a large oscar in it before. I set it up at about noon yesterday, and I noticed that the sunlight only comes in, in a small 3-5" section located in the front left corner of the tank. I don't think I'm gonna put the jd in after all, I think I'm gonna stick to yellows, light blues, and maybe some pink convicts. thanx for the help on the filters and ideas. I still want a jd only tank, I guess it'll just have to wait.

 

[Wheelrider]

I have a 75 with alot of tetras and have in front, white mixed with natural and merging to the back is black/white to black. With good lighting and a dark background--looks great!