Question about gravel

[p1ngu]

Hi, i was wondering is it OK to have a tank without gravel? bare bottom? just the glass? I have seen many people with it.

 

[FishFreaks]

i do not know a positive anwser, but i think that it would be best to have the substrate for the bacteria colonies?

 

[leafs]

I guess it depends what kind of fish you have. If you have bottom feeders, it might not be a good idea. they like to dig around in gravel or sand. One positive thing is that it's a lot easier to clean a bare bottom tank. It just doesn't look very appealing. You should still be able to have bacterial colonies on the glass and in the filter.

 

[Bloo]

Wouldn't that be a bit like living in one room with no furniture ?

 

[FalconStorm]

Depending on what fish you get, it might stress them out. Schooling fish like neons and other tetras like to have some cover and a dark substrate. I suppose it's possible, but your fish might not be very happy.

 

[mlee0332]

well its okay. No problem would be caused (except bottom dwellers), but its unapealing and you won't be able to put very many decoratyions (unless they were heavy and could weight themselves down.

While we are on substrate topic...

I have a 29g that I have gravel in, but I want to get a cory or 2. I would like to put sand, but the only sand around is marine sand. It dont say it is for tropical fish, but is it? if not, what kind of sand do you sand lovers use?

EDIT: does it get stirred up easy and make the water cloudy?

 

[Bloo]

I got my sand from the lfs. It was already prewashed and therefore relatively more expensive than play sand you have to wash for ages. My sand (I think) looks lovely and even if I was to stir wildly through it, it would settle and clear within seconds.

 

[mlee0332]

was it called Marine Sand? or what was it called?

Is it easy to put arti. plants in it?

 

[Bloo]

Sorry I really can't remember. I can go and check on the weekend and let you know though. It took 2 bags and cost £10 (£5 per bag) to fill a 20 gallon tank. That's the only one I have with sand and contemplating changing the others over too, but that's a project for another day.....

Ah and I only have live plants in there (growing like weeds) but am very sure plastic plants would be absolutely fine.