Black sand or gravel?

[daylily]

A few days ago, i tried getting some dwarf Cory cats for my Betta tank, which is a 5 gallon Fluval Spec V. I thought there were so many plants, my betta would not be able to get to them. WRONG. He attacked immediately, and kept it up. So, he is now in a temporary 2 gallon, with a bowl heater till I can go get another 5 gallon for him next week, and get it cycled.

I knew that it was 50/50 on tank mates, and had the temporary tank ready in case I needed it.

When I set up the new Spec V, I was thinking of black sand or small gravel, instead of the natural color pebbles I have now. I have heard that it makes the Betta colors stand out more.

I would like to know, from others who have tried black substrate, if the poo and dead plant stuff shows up "like a sore thumb" on the black? If so, I might want to go with the natural again.

Is there any substrate that works best for betas in planted tanks?

Thanks so much.
Juli

[Virto]

Light colored detritus will show easily on the surface of the sand, BUT it's also very easily removed using a turkey baster.

Black sand can make for a very striking tank - I'm a big fan. Really, you need to worry more about the plants than the fish, in this case, since you aren't considering anything with sharp points or edges, which cut betta fins.

[daylily]

nope, no sharp things in the tank! Natural plants, a piece of driftwood that has branches he likes to swim through... it was in the other tank.

Would you recommend black sand or black rounded small gravel?

Funny you mention turkey baster. I had seen that tip a week or so ago - and I was looking for one today at Wal-mart, but did not find one. I'll have to try another store next time I go to town.

[ChoclateBetta]

I love Black sand.

[sandybottom]

i like black,but i use play sand. it doesn't show the dirt like white or black do. the black does bring out their colors beautifully

[ChoclateBetta]

Plants seem okay with sand too.

[n3wport]

I wanted to use sand so bad, but the bubbles kept it floating, and my betta tried to eat it twice, so I dumped it and got gravel instead, but I've seen on here alot of tanks with black sand, and it looks amazing! my boyfriend's saltwater tank's sand never really looks dirty considering the amount of fish he has in there

[daylily]

N3wport,

bubbles? From?

[n3wport]

Originally Posted by daylily

N3wport,

bubbles? From?

Oh, just bubbles from a new tank setup, my betta ate a few pieces of sand so I just switched it to gravel because Im a worry wart!

[daylily]

Oh, ok!

I plan to do fish less cycle, so would bubbles have time to go away?