Choosing the Right Aquarium Substrate: Tips for Freshwater and Marine Tanks
Aquarium substrate has many uses It can be used for everything from controlling the chemistry of water to providing beneficial bacteria with an area to grow. It can also improve fish color and add to the overall appearance of the tank.
The type of substrate you select depends on what kind of fish you’re planning to keep and also the type of flow that you’ll have in your tank.
Tank Substrate Options
There are many options when it comes to tank substratum. The largest kind of substrate that is used are pebbles or gravels that are available in a myriad of sizes and colours. Some of them are made of glow-in-the-dark plastic. Most often, these are combined with other materials such as clay, crushed shell, and the ADA’s Aqua Soil to create distinctive and captivating aquascapes.
Other gravels that are popular include lava rock and lava cobble that can be used to create a look of volcanic in the aquarium. Crushed shell also has found some appreciation from hobbyists due to its similarity in appearance to a natural stone beach. It also has been known to increase the pH and KH levels in the water. Clay is an excellent environment to grow bacterial colonies, and it is a great cation exchange capacity (CEC).
Seachem Flourite black is a substance that has a fine texture and a lower iron content than normal Flourite. It is used for tanks containing barbels or other fish which require a low Iron concentration. It’s just like regular Flourite and is therefore suitable for planted aquariums. Another great option for those who do not have a rich nutrient substrate is API’s Root Tabs which are classic pills that are made up of potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorous along with trace elements.
The most effective Substitute for Planted Tanks
Soil is a great option for planted tanks. It is a rich source of nutrients to allow the roots to grow. It can also aid in anchoring plants down in the tank. It is available in a variety of sizes and colors which will fit a wide range of aquarium layouts.
Certain plant lovers make use of an assortment of gravel and soil. This gives the aquarium a striking and distinctive appearance. CEC is generally higher in soil than sand. CEC is like a SMALL bank account for plants. It is used to conserves nutrients until the plant is able to use the nutrients. It can be costly to purchase soil, but it is generally worth the cost.
The most popular soils are Fluval Stratum and Seachem Flourite. Certain of these are sterilized, which could limit the number of beneficial organisms in the soil. In addition, the baked clay that the substrates are made of loses some of its CEC. This makes them less suitable for a planted aquarium where an aquarist is frequently feeding the tank.
Freshwater Tank Gravel vs. Sand
The selection of gravel or sand for tanks with freshwater plants is contingent on the species of species of fish and plants to be kept. Gravel can be used for most freshwater fish and plants. It does not alter the water’s chemistry so it’s easy to clean. It also encourages beneficial bacteria and microorganisms that help to break down waste and aid in biological filtration.
However, the larger gravel grains are difficult to clean and could block the filters. Thus, regular cleaning is necessary. The gaps between gravel particles could allow dirt to accumulate, and this can quickly turn to rot. This is a particular problem with driftwood or bogwood which can release toxic substances in the decomposition process.
Alternately, you can choose to use artificial aquarium gravel made from silica or industrial resin and sealed to keep its colour. It resembles natural gravel and requires minimal rinsing. It is also available in a variety of designs and colours. It doesn’t encourage the growth of good bacteria and is not as an aeration-friendly material as sand. Additionally, you will need to use liquid fertilizers in order to help fill the low capacity of the soil to store nutrients.
Pick from a wide selection of marine tank substrates
There are a variety of options for the aquarium’s marine substrate. The substrate you select will directly impact on the quality of your water, habitat, and well-being for the marine species you have.
A popular marine aquarium substrate is crushed coral (CC). CS is made from crushed skeletons or shells that are cut into small pieces, performs a number of functions. It is able to aid in buffering the levels of calcium and alkalinity, and also serves as a growth habitat to beneficial bacteria.
Sand made from aragonite also a very popular choice. It is made from crystalline forms that have been ground up of calcium carbonate, aragonite can be like CC in that it helps to buffer alkalinity and pH levels, while being a perfect medium for beneficial bacteria colony growth and the development of coralline algae. The added benefit is that it is slightly heavier than sand, making it less likely to be blown about by water flow. Aragonite is a good option for deep-bed aquariums and tanks with sand-based creatures like sifting wrasses or gobies.
The choice of a Substrate for Terrariums
Selecting the appropriate substrate is a individual choice, with options ranging from neon pink gravel that can be used to complement themes like a castle or mermaid for aquariums with children to natural brown gravel that is a perfect match for driftwood, rocks, and live plants. Dark colors for a set bo cuc be ca thuy sinh tank is recommended because it helps light colored fish stand out. Colors that are bright can smudge dark colors of the fish.
Adding an admixture like perlite or vermiculite to the soil mix of a terrarium increases drainage, aeration and permeability. It also helps to keep the soil loose and lessens soil compaction that inhibits root growth. Additionally, these light materials bind to terrarium contaminants and help remove these from the water.
The substrate of a terrarium must also be able to allow for burrowing, the lay of eggs, as well as hiding areas. Cypress mulch, as an example is very popular in terrariums housing bearded geckos, leopard geckos, as well as fat-tailed lizards due to its capacity to hold moisture and does not splinter. Other suitable terrarium substrates include plantation soil, stone desert and forest moss.