substrate in betta tanks do you have it

[red-devil0602]

was just wondering if you all have substrate in your betta tanks.
I know you don't put it in the breeding tanks, but what about normal tanks do you really need it, i have got one betta tank without substrate in and it is so much easier to clean than all the others

 

[clover]

i do in my female tanks but in the male tanks no and i never do in spawn tanks

 

[red-devil0602]

i have it in my girl tank because of the plants etc but i'm thinking of going gravel-less in my male divided?

 

[Naughtygirlrlw]

I hate gravel! I use the flat marbles or polished rocks.

 

[lljdma06]

I hate gravel! I use the flat marbles or polished rocks.

[snapback]905914[/snapback]​

I have gravel in all my tanks, even in my new bowls for Synirr's bettas. Old habits die hard. I always use the same natural colored smallish gravel. When I come back to Miami, however, I wil experiment with sand substrates and mixing gravel with the popular plant substrates.

 

[Elise]

I voted no on accident!

I always went for like 2-3 inches of gravel, but lately I've decided that I don't like it. I went for all flat marbles and I love it! It's very easy to clean and I think it looks for sophistocated than just colored rocks. ALthough, it is more expensive.

But I keep it in the 10 gallon because I have tons of plants in there that I don't want to see the bases of. I wanted to go for sand, but I tried and it's too much work for me!

Anyhow, now I'm moving toward just having little to no substrate and only marbles where I can get it. Or the larger natural pebbles.

 

[Naughtygirlrlw]

I've wanted to try sand but I'm scared!!!

 

[SRC]

No, in my divided boy tank and my 1 gallons. (although I am contemplating putting it in the divided...just too much hassle in the 1 gallons though...as it sometimes scratches the acrylic, and it goes down the drain lol)

Yes, in my divided 2.5 gallon at home.

Yes, in my new divided girl tank (when it's finished).

Yes, in my community tanks.

Unless you have those marbles and river stones in a small tank, where you can dump them out and wash them off..I can't see how you figure they are easier...as the gravel vac won't budge those, and it doesn't seem like you'd be able to get down in between them and under them to the bottom in places.


I like the way gravel looks, not that bright colored stuff though, but it is easier to clean without it. Gravel/sand makes the tank look more natural to the fish....and as with Wuv's one little wild guy...helped him to not be as stressed (since he couldn't see himself reflecting off the tank floor.

I guess it should really all depend on your fish, and what they prefer...not what is easier for us .

 

[OohFeeshy]

Yup. Looks nice, just as easy to clean. I do 100% water changes so I carry the whole tank to the bathroom, tip all the water out then rinse the gravel of a few times. Easy peasy, nice and quick. I'd have to do the same thing with no substrate

 

[wuvmybetta]

...and as with Wuv's one little wild guy...helped him to not be as stressed (since he couldn't see himself reflecting off the tank floor.

I guess it should really all depend on your fish, and what they prefer...not what is easier for us  .

[snapback]906096[/snapback]​

Man, that guy is happy as a clam nowadays He flares and bubblenests like crazy


I prefer bare bottoms but in my cycled tanks I use gravel, even though it makes water changes a drag.

fun fact~ some of the Singapore clubs use water bottles to raise fry in. These are indeed small BUT they use little bitty ceramic rings with carbon glued to the other side of them. They say that using this method they only have to change the water in those little bitty containers every other week. I seriously am going to try this someday. Just soak the ceramic rings in a cycled tank for a week or so and they should be good to go. It's a pretty clever idea.

 

[Booboo puppy]

Yes in the new sorority tank. No in George's, no in Porsche's and no in Mustang's. Barracuda, Challenger, and Mercedes have smooth colored stones. I agree--the tanks are much easier to clean without anything on the bottom.

 

[SRC]

...and as with Wuv's one little wild guy...helped him to not be as stressed (since he couldn't see himself reflecting off the tank floor.

I guess it should really all depend on your fish, and what they prefer...not what is easier for us  .

[snapback]906096[/snapback]​

Man, that guy is happy as a clam nowadays He flares and bubblenests like crazy

[snapback]906201[/snapback]​

That is so great. it's always gratifying when you've made your fish happy. I think I spend most of my money trying to appease my fish lol.

I have some that don't like certain plants and some that prefer other plants. I can't tell you how many times I've changed and bought new plants just to make the fish happiest .

I will tell you this. I have noticed that a betta that has been kept in a gravel/sand botomed tank seems to be more stressed (from my observations only mind you) when put in a bare bottomed tank. It kinda freaks them out.

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I just spent $52 on plants for a new tank (community tank though) based on plants I researched. I picked out plants that look most like the ones that come from the region these fish oroginally came from...and a gravel choice to do the same. Trying to emulate, as best I can, a more natural environment for them..so they feel "more at home" so to speak.

lol Even more natural for my wallet...as it's pretty use to staying.."light".

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On the water bottle note....They have a NICE size water bottle at Dollar General Stores. The brand is Crystal Gyser. And they have a 25.3 fl. oz. sport bottle that has a vented pop top (that way they would still get air but no draft or risk of them hopping out ..and you can get a case for $5)
http/www.crystalgeyserasw.com/index.html (you knew the link was coming..right lol)

 

[boozybears]

Yup! I use a natural gravel.. need something to hold the plants up. Finnigan would be grumpy as anything if I removed his resting leaf

 

[Bettaman]

Theres Nothing like a bare bottom.............

Edit so i voted no

 

[SRC]

lmAo