substrate

I had a betta that passed away a few weeks ago (fairwell, dear Lenny), and my wife and I are ready to get a new betta. We hadn’t changed the set up of the tank, but we were wondering if we needed to replace the substrate and plants for risk of the bacteria still in the tank. I’m not sure if the...

I want to put an Anubius onto a piece of driftwood, but I am not sure if I need nutrient-rich substrate for that or if I should just use regular aquarium gravel. I am very new to plants and this will be my first planted tank.

Can't seem to really find anything good. I saw crushed black lava rock but don't think its the right thing to use as a soil cap. I just want something dark/black, not sand though if possible. I'm leaning more towards gravel but can't find a good one anywhere. Im not sure if flourite dark would...

I just upgraded to a 10 gallon but I don’t have enough substrate for the tank from the old one. i’ve been using rocks/pebbles for years but wanted to know if anyone had a cheaper or better alternative? I don’t do live plants (all silk don’t worry) (I am in college so it’s just easier coming to...

I need a few suggestions, and I hope I’m posting this in the right place. I do have two flourishing Betta male fish in smaller (less than 3 gallons). I’m getting a new tank for Christmas- a 10 gallon. I’ve been researching easier plants to start with that don’t require too much lighting - some...

Hi! I have decided to upgrade my betta's tank from a 3.5 gallon to a 5 gallon. From the research I've done I decided that sand would be a good idea for this tank? Do any sand users have recommendations and advice? Will live plants live better or worse in these conditions? Any good/bad...

Hi guys, This may sound like a ridiculous concern, but I was planting a few small Sagittaria subulata sprigs in my betta's tank, and while doing so, some of the underneath substrate (a small white gravel - larger than a grain of sand, but some are about the size of a betta pellet) floated to...

Hi guys! I got a new betta over the weekend, and currently he is living in a 1 gal jar, while I set up his new home. I have another betta and he is in a 5 gal with gravel, but I don't reaaaally love the look of it. I was thinking of getting sand but I was told it gets dirty and it shows. Can...

Once I move my betta into a new tank, I plan on using his old 5.5 gal tank as a hospital tank, I want to switch out the gravel with aquarium sand but was just wondering if it would affect the good bacteria and if I would have to wait a month to add any patients(if any become sick/injured)

Looking for more ideas for my tank. I have marbles, but I love glass and new color theme ideas for see-through substrate. Also love Roman Gravel brand based on google images, but really need to see more out there! Even if you have a few marbles on your gravel you may share :) I love how this...

Hey there, In a few weeks I'll be setting up a new 29-gallon. I'll be using Eco-Complete Aquarium Substrate which apparently includes some water containing "purifying bacteria" that help jump start the nitrogen cycle. I also wanted to use some established filter media to help the cycle along...

I have a mix of red and purple substrate and they are not the same brand. I have been noticing that when I vacuum my tank there are little red flakes which I used to think were pieces of fish waste, but I realized after there were more and bigger flakes, and the red substrate started losing...

I have had a Betta fish for about a year and half and I'm still confused as to the best and easiest way to maintain his tank. We started with a small 1 gallon tank, no filter and a small heater. We upgraded to a 3.5 gallon tank after a year with a whisper filter and heater that regulates the...

I am *hopefully* picking up substrate and setting up the permanent home for my newest boy, and need help deciding on a substrate color. I could go with black, but many of my tanks have black already. I feel that natural gravel would wash him out. Any ideas?

Hi, I would like to change my 2 10g tanks over to fully planted tanks. Right now, I have a mix of live and fake plants, some which should be planted in substrate (but aren't yet :-? ) and some which are attached to decor (java fern) and some floaters. What I would like to do is remove the...

Hi! I'm new here, but have had Bettas in the past. I'm awaiting a new Betta from a Thailand breeder: I'm preparing his tank setup while I wait for his arrival. Since it's been a while since I had my last Betta (which I had to give up when I moved), I did some research to make sure I do...

Hi all, I'm new to the group. (Waving) I currently have a 3 gallon tetra half moon tank with a sponge filter and heater and have purchased a 6.6 gallon hexagon tank. Since his tank is fairly established can I just move him to the new tank using part of the old water and the rest new...

Hello all! I bought some Tahitian Moon Sand since it was recommended by a few users, and I'm curious if I can use my gravel vacuum the same way for sand. Another question: should I use only sand, or should I have sand with a layer of gravel on top? I'm thinking of adding African Dwarf Frogs to...

So I'm about to set up a divided 10 gallon, and I think I want to use sand for the substrate. I've got gravel in one tank and rocks in the other, and I don't care for either of them very much. I want something that will look nice, be easy to plant things in if I want to, and will be easy to...

Hello :) I am fairly new at this, and I need your advice! I'm getting the 5 gallon Fluval Spec later this month for my male crowntail, Finley. I have a few questions regarding substrate, plants, and heating. I currently have Finley in an unheated 1.5 gallon filtered tank with gravel and a...