Choosing the right substrate for your aquarium can be hard. Substrate provides the natural home to your fish and aesthetic appeal.
The wrong choice of the substrate can cause poor quality of water, change in environment, fluctuation in pH of water and can affect the health of the fish.
While setting up the aquarium, substrate is the first thing you add. Here is the guide to select the best substrate for your aquarium.
What is Substrate?
Substrate is the material used at the base of aquariums. Substrates is the material which covers the bottom of the tank with various materials including, gravel, sand, pebbles, rocks and soil.
Types of Substrates
Here are different types of substrates.
Gravel
Gravel is the most common substrate in the aquarium. There are various types of gravel, including different colors and sizes. It could be as small as a pea or 1-2 mm. Dyed gravel is also available to best complement your aquarium.
For the best quality sealed gravels are available that demonstrate that they do no harm to the balance of the aquarium. Gravel does not affect the pH of water. While selecting the gravel, avoid taking a sharp surface. If your fish dig or rub against the gravel that could be harmful to fish.
Corals, Shells, Minerals and Marble
Crushed corals, crushed marbles, grit shells, coral sand, and oolitic aragonite (a special type of sand) are the most commonly used substrate in the aquarium. The main function of these substrates is calcium carbonate. These substrates are used to increase the pH and the hardness of the water. These are mostly suitable for African fish species like African cichlids. These substrates are also best for saltwater fish and invertebrates.
Sand
Sand, a popular choice for substrates, creates a smooth base in the tank and is especially beneficial for species like Corydoras catfish. Sand is best as it adds nutrients to the water. Some people add clay into the sand to give it a more natural look of nature. Sand can be stuck into the filters, so make sure not to add filters close to the aquarium floor. Sand also plays a part in the growth of live plants in the tank.
Peat
Peat is the common plant matter used in the soft water. Peat has the natural ability to soft the water. It is best to provide moisture plants needed. Due to its soft texture the peat is highly suitable for demersal species like Corydoras catfish. It helps in the reproductive cycle of fish. Peat is beneficial in the prevention of algae in the aquarium.
Leaves
Leaves are the best substrate for aquariums as they effectively mimic natural environments. Leaves maintain the pH and environment of the water. They can be planted solely or with a mixture of other substrates. Leaves create the best stress free natural environment for the fish. While choosing the leaves for your aquarium make sure that they are suitable for your tank. Leaves can be poisonous in nature and can harm aquatic life.
Pebble
Pebbles are commonly used in substrates. The size of pebbles may vary from 6mm to 64mm. These can be made of glass, rocks, or even plastic that shine in the dark. They can be made from various materials, If that material does not harm the water quality. Use of pebbles creates space on the floor which can cause the pile of uneaten food. This substrate should be used with other substrates.
Soil
Soil mixed with water can create muddy water. In an aquarium the normal soil is not used. The soil for the aquarium is especially designed not to mix with water. Soil is the best substrate if you want to grow live plants into your tank as it provides the best nutrients a plant needs.
Specialized Substrates for Planted Tanks
Soil is the best substrate for the planted tanks. Aquarium soil, such as UNS Controsoil or Aquario NEO Soil, is typically clay-based and best in providing nutrients that a plant needs. Soil has the properties to alter the water chemistry. It can reduce the pH of water below 7 that makes the water soft.
Plants who feed through their roots will be thrilled to be placed in aquarium soil. For the better growth of the plant place the 4 cm of soil on the floor. According to fish species soil can be added with other substrates.
Benefits of Using the Substrate
An empty tank cannot be called home to fish. Substitutes are important for having better environments and nutrients. The beneficial bacteria also live in substrates that are essential to keep balance in the water. Here are some pros of using substrate:
- The use of gravel and sand provides a natural look and habitat to the aquarium.
- The Substrate also plays a role in the filtration of water. Substrates provide home to beneficial bacteria as they keep the water clean.
- Sand provides the best home to the species who love to dig.
- Substrate plays an essential part in the growth of live plants as it provides the solid base and nutrients that plants need.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Substrate
While choosing the substrate for the aquarium there are important considerations you need to keep in mind. If you want to grow plants in the water the soil substrate is the best option. If you have a freshwater fish choose a substrate which is easy to clean. For burrowing fish the sand is more suitable. These fish who live in salty water prefer the substrate which maintains the pH in the water.
Color of the Substrates
The color of the substrates does not affect the health of the fish. The water quality and the environment of the aquarium matter the most. Natural color substrates are more suitable as you can focus on your fish more clearly. You can select the substrate color on the base of your fish color. Bright color fish can pop more with natural Substrate.
Calculating the Size
The general size of layering is 3 inches. This is the best portion for the roots of the plants. It is up to an individual how much Substrate they want to use. The more Substrate you use there is less room left for the other decorations in the aquarium like plants and rocks.
You can use an aquarium substrate calculator. Add the dimensions and desired depth of the Substrate, which will calculate how much Substrate you need.
Installing the Substrates as Layers
While installing the layering, here are points you should keep in mind:
- Use a grain size of 2mm. The size of 1-3 mm is fine as well. Do not use sand, which is too fine as it can not hold the roots of the plants.
- Pebble is not suitable for small plants. Their roots can not be rooted completely.
- Avoid using substrates that are carbonate-based. If you are not sure about the properties of a substrate, put it to the test to check.
- Substrates are hard to install in short-rooted plants. Choose the plants and substrate that go well with each other.
- Choose the sand that goes well with your style of aquascaping. A black water tank can look good with earthy-looking substrates. A Dutch-style space may look good with black sand as it has pants in different colors.
- If you have a black or brown rock, the white or gray sand will look good.
Maintenance of Substrate
Maintaining the health of your Substrate is very important. The uneaten food, fish waste can be stored between the substrate. Deep cleaning of the Substrate can be hard and exhausting. You can add weekly hovering when you change the water in the tank.
Troubleshooting Common Substrate Issues
Here are some common issues that can be avoided:
- Do not overfeed your fish; it can lead to the growth of algae in the tank and cause other bacterial problems in the aquarium.
- Frequent water change is another problem. Change the water in the tank when needed. Frequent water changes the k effect on the pH of the water.
- Too many uses of Substrate and plants can cause overloading. It can put your fish under stress. Further, that can be a reason for a sick fish.
- Over cleaning of the Substrate can remove the beneficial bacteria which lives in the Substrate. That can cause the problem in the filtration.
Conclusion
The use of Substrate in the aquarium will not only increase the aesthetic of the tank but also provide a natural habitat for the fish. There are so many options for Substrate, and you can choose for your planted aquarium in different color and sizes.
While choosing the Substrate, make sure that it goes best with the species of fish you have. Choose the Substrate that will help grow the plants.
The maintenance of Substrate is very essential as it contributes to the environment of the aquarium. Try to clean the Substrate on regular times.