Substrate color...

[kyperman]

Does it matter what color you use for your substrate or gravel? I use white now just cause it looks nice I think, but I heard that fish actually prefer a dark color, it is more soothing or something? I like natural looks, so maybe black gravel... :huh:

 

[rrkss]

Substrates are more for you than your fish. I have seen fish live perfectly happy in a barebottom tank. Yes some fish will prefer sand to course gravel but pick whatever satisfies you. Your fish will live regardless if the gravel is pink or natural brown.

 

[Xielos]

For bottom feeders I think it makes a big difference, darker fish like plecos like darker colors to feel more comfortable. Think about what color the bottom of your fishes' natural habitat is like, and go from there.

 

[kyperman]

I do have a Pl*eco and two corys....I dunno, it seems like it might be a lot of work to change it right now...I also don't want to mess up what I have going right now. My fish have been doing very well as a whole, If I change gravel will I mess up the bio-cycle a bit..?

 

[TipStylez]

light colors are fine. But it dose affect the color of your fish...like make them more pale and causes them to be more shy...not all fish like bright lights. Would you be in a room with bright colors and lights and try to relax?

 

[Xielos]

I do have a Pl*eco and two corys....I dunno, it seems like it might be a lot of work to change it right now...I also don't want to mess up what I have going right now. My fish have been doing very well as a whole, If I change gravel will I mess up the bio-cycle a bit..?

Your gravel should be fine, no need to change it. Its just that some fish like darker colors.

 

[tre8160]

light colors are fine. But it dose affect the color of your fish...like make them more pale and causes them to be more shy...not all fish like bright lights. Would you be in a room with bright colors and lights and try to relax?

Yep I agree, I have a pair of Gold Rams that were extremely pale and shy in my tank when I was using silica sand for my substrate, Only got to see their real colors if you could catch them just as the lights turned on i the tank. IME most freshwater fish look best in a tank with darker substrate. Didn't bother the resident cory's a bit though.

 

[geekrockgirl85]

fish do prefer a darker colored substrate... but that aside, you should still consider that white gravel will show all kinds of poop and algae, etc., much more so than a natural stone color.

 

[Raskolnikov]

My fish display just as vividly over light substrates as dark ones. I've always found diet and water quality to be the driving force behind appearance.

 

[Spykce]

I think light colors get "dirty" to quick. I just changed my sand to black gravel in my bichir tank yesterday and this morning they look more vivid in color already. Ultimately up to you. White would be fine. My girlfriend uses hot pink and her fish are the most colorful thing I have ever seen.