Hi there everybody! ToDay I had to pull my male bettas from their large tanks, do to the gravel, at least thats the only answer that fits the circumstance. So after howerver long it takes to heal up thier fins (or as long as i can stand their sad, sad looks) , i wonder if a bare bottom or gravel substrate would be best. I know that all gravel is not created equal. So I ask those of u that would like to give thier ideals on this subject a voice, to please do so! and thanks....
I don't understand (sorry).. why did you have to take your fish out?
I have gravel in my tanks but ideally I would do eco complete or sand. I've never had a single problem with the gravel.
The problem with having a bare bottom is it makes it harder to hold a cycle.. most of your bacteria from the cycle lives in the substrate (as well as the filter, decorations, and walls of the tank).
If we're talking about a cycled tank I personally prefer gravel, never tried sand(though I've been thinking about it for a while...)so I can't comment there. Bare bottom is easier to keep clean however, but gravel makes it look a little better. Its really just personal preference there.
However, if we're talking about an uncycled tank(one where your doing frequent 100% WCs), then you'd probably be better off going with those larger marbles, the river rocks, or just bare bottom. Its REALLY a pain to clean gravel every time to do a WC, not to mention at least a few pieces slip out and go down the drain each time(at least thats what happens to me, maybe I'm just special....). Again though, its all personal preference really. Each substrate(or lack of....)has its pluses and minuses, in the end it comes down to what you think looks nice.
Though, I must admit I am a little confused as well O.o; There really is no way for gravel to harm a bettas fins.....
It's all personal preference. Bare bottomed tanks are easier to clean, and I don't mind the look of them. But if you want to cycle your tank, it's better to have gravel at the bottom.
If we're talking about a cycled tank I personally prefer gravel, never tried sand(though I've been thinking about it for a while...)so I can't comment there. Bare bottom is easier to keep clean however, but gravel makes it look a little better. Its really just personal preference there.
However, if we're talking about an uncycled tank(one where your doing frequent 100% WCs), then you'd probably be better off going with those larger marbles, the river rocks, or just bare bottom. Its REALLY a pain to clean gravel every time to do a WC, not to mention at least a few pieces slip out and go down the drain each time(at least thats what happens to me, maybe I'm just special....). Again though, its all personal preference really. Each substrate(or lack of....)has its pluses and minuses, in the end it comes down to what you think looks nice.
Though, I must admit I am a little confused as well O.o; There really is no way for gravel to harm a bettas fins.....
Try using one of these
you can get them from the dollar store so they're definitely cheap and no gravel gets through. I rinse a little at a time then set it on a paper towel and rinse some more until all of its clean.
you can get them from the dollar store so they're definitely cheap and no gravel gets through. I rinse a little at a time then set it on a paper towel and rinse some more until all of its clean.
Yeah....those don't really help me much. I'm too clumsy, I loose pieces anyway xDD Takes to long to get the gravel clean anyway, no matter how I do it...I just personally think its easier and more time-efficient to have marbles or bare bottom in an uncycled tank...then again, this also boils down to personal preference xD Haha.
I use gems in mine. I used gravel for awhile but it was too hard to clean and the finer pieces went right through my strainer. I'm still picking up pieces from my bathroom floor.
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BARE BOTTOM or GRAVEL ??
Haha.
