Aquarium substrate serves many purposes, from helping to control the chemistry of water to creating a place to beneficial bacteria. It can also enhance the color of fish and improve the aesthetics of a aquarium.
The type of fish and the flow in your aquarium will determine the kind of substrate you choose to use.
Tank Substrate Options
There are numerous options when it comes to tank substratum. Gravels or pebbles are the most popular substrates. They come in many sizes and colours. Some are even made of glow in the dark plastic. Most often, these are combined with other materials, such as crushed shell, clay and ADA’s Aqua Soil to create unique and eye-catching aquascapes.
Lava rock and lava pebble are other popular gravels that can be used in aquariums to give them an eruptive appearance. The resemblance of crushed shells with natural stones has made it popular among hobbyists. The water’s pH and KH levels are also boosted by it. Clay is a great environment to grow bacteria, and it is a great cation exchange capacity (CEC).
Seachem Flourite Black is a fine black-textured product with a lower amount of Iron than regular Flourite allowing it to be used in tanks that contain barbels and other fish that require a low level of Iron. It’s just like regular Flourite which makes it ideal for aquariums with planted plants. Another excellent option for those who do not have a rich nutrient substrate is API’s Root Tabs which are classic pill shaped products that contain potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorous as well as trace elements.
The best Substrate for Planted Tanks
Soil is a fantastic option for tank planting. It provides a nutrient-rich surface for roots to develop into. This can help plants to be held in place within the tank. It’s usually available in a variety of sizes and colors to suit many different aquarium layouts.
A few plant enthusiasts use a mixture of soil and pebbles. This gives the aquarium an attractive and unique appearance. Soil generally has higher CEC than sand. CEC is like a SMALL bank account for plants. It is used to stores nutrients until plants is ready to utilize them. The cost of soil can be high, but it is generally worth the extra cost.
Most popular soils include Fluval Stratum and Seachem Flourite. Some of these products are sterilized which may limit the number of beneficial organisms in the soil. Additionally the baked clay the substrates are made of loses some of the CEC. This makes them less suitable for an aquarium that is planted where an aquarist is frequently feeding the tank.
Freshwater Tank Gravel vs. Sand
The choice of sand or gravel for freshwater planted tanks depends on the species of species of fish and plants to be kept. Gravel can be used for all freshwater fish and plant species. It does not alter the water’s chemistry so it’s easy to cleanse. It also helps to promote beneficial microorganisms and bacteria that help to break down waste and aid in biological filtration.
However, larger gravel grains can block filters and are difficult to clean, which is why frequent 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 for driftwood and bogwood which release toxic substances in the decomposition process.
It’s also possible to make artificial aquarium gravel, made of industrial resin and silica. It’s sealed to maintain its colour. It appears like natural gravel and requires very only a little washing. It is also available in a variety of colors and shapes. It doesn’t encourage the growth of good bacteria and it may not be aeration-friendly like sand. Also, it has a limited capacity to store nutrients for plant roots which is why you need to supplement it with liquid fertilizers.
Pick from a wide selection of marine tank substrates
There are a variety of options for the aquarium’s marine substrate. Unlike planted tank gravel, which is often chosen purely to enhance the appearance of your aquarium, the substrate material you choose can impact water quality and habitat as well as the health of your marine creatures.
Crushed coral (CC) is a well-loved aquarium substrate. Made up of small, broken skeletons and shells, CS is not only visually appealing, but also serves a number of important functions. It can help buffer the levels of calcium and alkalinity, and also serves as a growth environment to beneficial bacteria.
Another choice that is popular is the aragonite sand. It is made from crystalline forms that have been ground up of calcium carbonate aragonite can be similar to CC in that it helps to buffer alkalinity and pH levels, while offering a great environment for beneficial colony growth as well as coralline algae growth. It also comes with the benefit of being somewhat heavier than sand, and, consequently, less likely to be moved around by water flow in your tank for reefs. This makes aragonite a good option for deep-bed tanks and aquariums that house creatures that live in sand, like sifting gobies and wrasse species.
Selecting a Substrate to use for Terrariums
The ideal substrate to use for your aquarium is completely up to you. It can be anything from a bright pink gravel that fits themes like castles or a themes of mermaids in children’s aquariums as well as a brown natural gravel that goes well with driftwood, rock and live plants. Generally speaking, a dark color is preferable for a tank with fish since it helps light-colored set bo cuc be ca thuy sinh stand out while a bright substrate can easily smudge the darker colors of fish.
By adding an admixture of vermiculite or perlite in a terrarium soil mix improves drainage, aeration, and permeability. The admixture keeps the soil loose, and reduces soil compacting that could hinder root growth. In addition, these lightweight materials can bind to the terrarium’s contaminants and then remove these from the water.
Suitable terrarium substrates also allow for burrowing behavior as well as egg deposition and hiding places. For instance, the classic’ cypress mulch is a popular option for terrariums housing bearded dragons, leopard geckos and fat-tailed geckos as it is able to hold moisture and does not shatter. Other terrarium substrates that are suitable include the stone desert, plantation dirt and forest moss.