Aquarium substrate has numerous 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 the color of fish as well as enhance the aesthetic of a tank.

The kind of substrate you choose really is dependent on the kind of fish you’re looking to keep and the kind of flow you want to have in your tank.

Tank Substrate Options

In terms of tank substrates, there’s a lot of choices available. Pebbles, or gravels, are the most common substrates. They are available in a variety of sizes and colors. Some are made from glow in the dark plastic. Most often, these are combined with other materials like clay, crushed shell, and ADA’s Aqua Soil to create distinctive and captivating aquascapes.

Other gravels that are popular include lava rock and cobble which can be used to create a volcanic look in the aquarium. The similarity of crushed shells with natural stones has made it a favorite for aquarists who are interested in collecting. It can also raise the KH and pH levels of the water. Clay has a very high cation exchange capacity (CEC) and is ideal to support bacterial colonies as well as creating a suitable environment for plants to establish themselves.

Seachem Flourite Black is a slick black textured product that has a lower amount of Iron than normal Flourite which allows it to be utilized in tanks that contain barbels and other fish that require a minimal amount of Iron. It’s got the same amount of nutrients as regular Flourite which makes it ideal for tank that is planted. API’s Root Tabs are another great alternative for those who don’t have a substrate abundant in nutrients. They are in the traditional pill shape and contain trace elements, potassium, phosphorous and nitrogen.

The most effective Substitute for Planted Tanks

For planted tanks soil is a great alternative. It’s a good source of nutrients to allow the roots to develop. This helps plants be anchored in the tank. It is available in many colors and sizes which will fit a wide range of aquarium layouts.

Some plant enthusiasts use an assortment of gravel and soil. This gives the aquarium a distinctive appearance and is also visually appealing. CEC is usually higher in soil than sand. CEC is like a very SMALL bank account for your plants that conserves nutrients until the plant can utilize them. It can be costly to purchase soil, but is usually worth the additional cost.

Some popular soils include Fluval Stratum, Seachem Flourite Black, and CaribSea Eco-Complete. The drawback to many 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 useful in a tank that is planted, where an aquarist is frequently fertilizing the tank.

Freshwater Tank Gravel vs. Sand

The choice between sand or gravel for tanks with freshwater plants is contingent on the kind of species of fish and plants to be kept. Gravel is suitable for most freshwater animals and does not alter the water’s chemistry and is therefore easy to clean. It also promotes beneficial microorganisms and beneficial bacteria that help to break down waste, thereby aiding biological filtering.

However, the larger gravel grains are hard to vacuum and can clog the filters. Therefore, frequent cleaning is needed. The gaps between gravel particles may allow dirt to build up, which could quickly turn to rot. This is particularly a problem with driftwood and bogwood which releases cyanide during the process of decay.

Alternately, you can choose to make artificial aquarium gravel from silica or industrial resin and sealed to keep its colour. It resembles natural gravel, and requires minimal rinsing. It’s also available in a variety of colours and shapes. However, it does not encourage the development of healthy bacteria and may not be as good for air aeration as sand. It is also necessary to use liquid fertilizers to fill in the limited capacity of soils to store nutrients.

Pick from a wide selection of marine tank substrates

When it comes to the substrate for your marine aquarium, there are a wide selection of choices. The substrate you choose 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). It is made up of small, crushed shells and skeletons, CS is not only visually appealing, but also serves a number of key purposes. It is for instance, it assists to buffer alkalinity and calcium levels while also providing a medium for beneficial bacteria colonies to develop.

Another choice that is popular is the aragonite Sand. Made from ground-up crystalline forms of calcium carbonate, it is similar to CC in that it assists to buffer pH and alkalinity levels as well as being a perfect habitat for beneficial bacteria colony growth as well as coralline algae growth. The added benefit is that it’s slightly heavier than sand, making it less likely to get carried away by water flow. Argonite is a great option for deep bed aquariums or tanks that house sand-dwelling creatures like sifting gobies, or wrasse species.

Terrarium Substrate: Which to Select?

The ideal substrate for your aquarium is entirely dependent on you. It could be anything from a bright pink gravel that matches themes like castles or a themes of mermaids in children’s aquariums or a natural brown gravel that works well with driftwood, rocks and live plants. Dark colors for a tank is preferable because it makes light-colored fish stand out. Colors that are bright can smudge dark colors of the fish.

The addition of an admixture such as vermiculite or perlite in the soil mix of a terrarium increases drainage, aeration and set bo cuc be ca canh permeability. The admixture keeps the soil loose, and reduces soil compacting that can inhibit root growth. These materials are lightweight and also bind to the terrarium’s contaminants and remove them from water.

The terrarium’s substrate must also be able accommodate burrowing, the laying of eggs, and hiding places. For example, good ol”cypress mulch” is a popular option for terrariums housing leopard geckos, bearded dragons and fat-tailed geckos because it is able to hold moisture and does not break into pieces. Stone desert, plantation dirt and forest moss can also be used as substrates for terrariums.