Aquarium substrate serves many purposes, from helping to control the water’s chemistry, to serving as a home to beneficial bacteria. It can also improve fish color and add to the appearance of tanks.
The type of fish and the flow of water you have in your tank will determine the type of substrate you will use.
Tank Substrate Options
There are many alternatives when it comes down to substratum for tanks. The largest type of substrate used is gravels or pebbles which come in a myriad of sizes and shades. Some are made from glowing in the dark plastic. Most often, these are used in conjunction with other materials such as clay, crushed shell, and ADA’s Aqua Soil to create unique and eye-catching aquascapes.
Lava rock and lava pebble are also popular gravels to use in aquariums to give an eruptive look. Crushed shell also has found some favor with hobbyists owing to its resemblance to a natural stone beach. The water’s pH and KH are also raised due to it. Clay is a fantastic environment to grow the growth of bacterial colonies. It has a very high capacity for cation exchange (CEC).
Seachem Flourite black is a product that has an extremely fine texture and lower iron concentration than regular Flourite. It can be used for tanks containing barbels or other fish which require a lower Iron level. It is the same as regular Flourite which makes it ideal for aquariums with planted plants. API’s Root Tabs are another great alternative for those who don’t have a substrate high in nutrients. They come in the traditional pill shape and are a source of trace elements like potassium, phosphorous and nitrogen.
The Most Effective Substrate for Tanks with Planted Tanks
Soil is an excellent option for planted tanks. It’s a great source of nutrients that allow the roots to develop. This can help plants to be held in place within the tank. It comes in a variety of sizes and colors which will fit a wide range of aquarium layouts.
Certain plant lovers make use of a mix of gravel and soil. This gives the aquarium a distinctive design and can be visually pleasing set bo cuc be ca thuy sinh. Soil typically has an increased CEC than sand. CEC is a SMALL bank account for your plants that stores nutrients until plants can use the nutrients. The cost of soil can be high, however it’s usually worth the cost.
A few popular soils include Fluval Stratum, Seachem Flourite Black, and CaribSea Eco-Complete. One disadvantage to some of these soils is that they’re usually sterilized which can deplete the soil of beneficial microbes. Furthermore, the baked clay that these substrates are made from has lost some of its CEC. This makes them less suitable for aquariums that have plants where the aquarist fertilizes the substrate regularly.
Freshwater Tank Gravel vs. Sand
The selection of gravel or sand for freshwater tanks is based on the type of species of fish and plants to be kept. Gravel is suitable for the majority of freshwater fish and plants. It doesn’t alter the water’s chemistry so it’s easy to clean. It also promotes beneficial microorganisms and bacteria which help break up waste, which aids in biological filtration.
However, the larger gravel grains are difficult to remove and may block the filters. Therefore, frequent cleaning is necessary. The gaps between the gravel particles could allow dirt to build up, which could quickly turn to rot. This is particularly a problem with driftwood and bogwood, which can release cyanide in the process of decomposition.
Alternately, you can choose to make artificial aquarium gravel out of silica or industrial resin and then sealed to preserve its colour. It’s very similar to natural gravel, requires little rinsing before use and comes in a wide range of colours and shapes. But, it doesn’t aid in the growth of healthy bacteria, and is not as suitable for air aeration as sand. Also, it has a limited capacity to store the nutrients needed by plant roots, so you will need to supplement it with liquid fertilizers.
Marine Tank Substrate Choices
When you think of marine aquarium substrates there is a broad selection of choices. Unlike planted tank gravel, which is usually chosen purely to enhance the appearance of your aquarium The substrate that you select could affect water quality and habitat as well as the health of the marine animals.
One of the most popular aquarium substrates is crushed coral (CC). Comprised of small, crushed skeletons and shells, CS is not only visually appealing, but it also has a variety of key functions. It can help buffer the levels of alkalinity and calcium, while also providing a growing habitat for beneficial bacteria.
Another popular choice is aragonite Sand. Made from ground-up crystalline forms of calcium carbonate aragonite is like CC in the sense that it serves to buffer pH and alkalinity levels while being a perfect habitat for beneficial bacteria colony growth and coralline algae development. Its other benefit is that it’s a bit heavier than sand and therefore less likely to get lost in the flow of water. Aragonite is an excellent choice for aquariums and deep-bed tanks that have sand-based creatures like sifting wrasses, or gobies.
Selecting a Substrate to use for Terrariums
The right the right substrate for your aquarium is entirely dependent on you. It can range from a neon pink gravel that fits a castle theme or mermaid theme in children’s aquariums as well as a brown natural gravel that goes well with driftwood, rocks and live plants. In general, darker colors are the best for a fish tank since it helps light-colored fish shine, while a bright substrate can easily wash out the darker colors of fish.
The addition of admixtures like vermiculite or perlite in terrarium soil mixes increases drainage, airflow and permeability. It also helps keep the soil loose and reduces soil compaction, which hinders the growth of roots. These materials are lightweight and also bind to terrariums that contain contaminants and remove them from water.
The terrarium’s substrate should also be able to accommodate burrowing, the laying of eggs and hiding areas. For instance, the classic”cypress” mulch is a popular option for terrariums that house bearded dragons, leopard geckos and fat-tailed geckos because it holds moisture and won’t shatter. Plantation dirt, stone desert, and forest moss are all suitable substrates for the terrarium.