Before You Choose Your Substrate WATCH THIS! [Dark vs. Light Substrate, Pros & Cons]
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- čas přidán 6. 09. 2024
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Dark vs. Light Substrate, let's get into the pros & cons of each. Now that I've had a chance to work with both light and dark substrate, literally side-by-side, here is my take on the two options.
Which substrate are you currently using? A light, a dark substrate or maybe a mix? Share your tips, experience, thoughts and suggestions in the comment section below.
Never forget the motto of this channel is ALWAYS BE LEARNING! And we all learn from each other here, so feel free to share your experiences, thoughts and tips in the comment section below.
Substrates featured in this video with Amazon links:
CaribSea Naturals White Sand: in amzn.to/3qFpcMW
CaribSea EcoComplete Aragonite: amzn.to/3iHlhMX
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Tanks for this breakdown of the pros and cons for both. I'm a novice aquarist and have been slowly getting ready to set a few tanks that I have. We all really appreciate your help in the hobby.
I like a black substrate & background cuz it makes the fish pop
I agree.
Sometimes they will darken themselves, that's why I switched to light with dark sand on the side s
agreed
1" of dirt (i used fluval stratum)
Cap it with 2" washed and dried pool filter sand (i used quikrete brand)
I feel like everything just looks and feels so natural
I have a L81 pleco for 21 years. Most of those years on black sand. Such a drab expensive fish. Why did I buy it? Then one day I changed to basically white gravel. What a change in color! The fish basically camouflaged itself. Suddenly it's finally living up to its golden nugget name!
I changed to white, because I got bored of the black sand. And also because in all of the nature videos I've seen, the substrate was ALWAYS light colored.
I find white gravel much more alive and interesting so far. I do have to turn it over every week or two to keep the brown diatom growth off of it.
I went with black for my first sand tanks. They definitely require more frequent small vacuums than gravel to keep them looking nice, but sand looks really nice.
I think a good compromise is a black background with a light coloured sand.
I am considering changing to black. You just helped me make up my mind.
I prefer dark because as you said it is much more forgiving and it makes my fish pop. Also because my biggest fault (future topic) is that I am an over-cleaner so I have to do more frequent but smaller water changes to make up for my tanks being too clean.
i love the look of white sand
Detritus always seems to makes it way under the rocks and decor, even when it looks like nothing will get under it 😆
It’s amazing how that happens. You lift a rock that’s deep in the sand and there’s a load of detritus under it! How?🤷♂️🤷♂️🤷♂️
Caribsea African Cichlid mix is my substrate of choice now. Black and white mix. Love it.
I like the sign behind you "beware of cichlid " where to get one from?
Hi Paul, I have it at my Amazon Affiliate store: www.Amazon.com/shop/benochart
Sand with pink fiji crushed coral was the joint back in the day....
I try to go for a more natural look in my sand and gravel tanks. I actually mixed black and brown on the ecco complete just because it was to monotone to used just one. A lot of my tanks are fluval stratum. Plants, plants, and more plants. 👍
I mixed the black and brown eco complete too. Just helps break it up from being one solid colour like you say. Plenty of greenery in my tank too. 👍
Thanx, great video Ben! Besides colouring of the fish i like contrast between the subsrate and the background, it’s easier to create visual depth in the tank.
Great topic Ben👍🏻 The caribsea African cichlid rift lake mix, it kind of a white/ tan combo, for me it’s a great compromise. Have a great day🙂
I like dark substrate too as white sand is quite glaring when the lights reflects on them..brown river sand ⌛ is still ok though 👍
And white shows every spec of poop. The other colors are far more forgiving and don’t look dirty two days after vacuuming.
Could you do a video on African cichlids that you plan on getting?
I love this first hand knowledge stuff. I can believe this more than someone reading other people's experiences. STAY FUNKY PLAYBOY 😎👍
Ben so nice seeing fish behind you again.
That was a very good video Ben!
Lots of sympathy from Greece 🇬🇷
I love black
I like a combination of Hawaiian Black, Araconite and some Bio rock from Oasis to blend with my Holly Rock. The combination is about 60 to 70% lighter substrate. The Hawaiian Black is incredible bio media too.
Please do get into the differences between substrates! Doesn't have to be one video either. Would definitely be interested in learning your experiences with them.
good video i dont like the black with white looks messy would prefer all black with larger rocks anyway thanks
The color of the substrate depends on the color of the background and how you decorate the tank. Personally I go with a darker background and a black substrate.
I have Carib Sea Sunset Gold substrate. Love the color, and it tends to look natural. Your tanks look good sir. Thank you for sharing. 💙🐟
Love that one too.
I just got some of that stuff and man was it hard to clean. Jeez. Rinsing and rinsing and rinsing lol.
Excellent advice. I am waiting for my aquariums to arrive from Japan (just moved from there) and planning 7 aquariums. One with Shell dwelling cichlids, one large tank of 3 fancy goldfish, one community tank of Corys, tetras and maybe an angel fish...will be heavily planted and another tank for plecos and German rams. The electric blue and yellow GR will pop in a dark aquarium.
You need to post those tanks on CZcams. Sounds like an awesome set-up.
I like the white
Would the darker substrate also hold more beneficial bacteria because you don't have to clean the substrate as much?
Interesting point.
Depends on the fish I like black convicts green severums and salvinis with light substrate. Dark substrate for jack Dempseys pink convicts fire mouths and red spotted severums. They pop with dark substrate
Ben both are nice white looks tropical , Dark mixture more like a lake or river bed.
That’s a great observation
@@BenOchart 😎💕
I like dark substrate.
I prefer black substrate. Tank always looks cleaner, fish stand out more.
I also love putting a light at the front or side of the tank with black substrate. It seems to create awesome lighting contrasts.
With lighter sand substrates, I use water flow from filters and wave makers to push the detritus to one back corner of the tank, preferably behind a rock or feature. This makes for easy vacuuming and makes the tank look cleaner.
I guess personal taste also is a big factor
All excellent points, thanks.
Came here, due to my preference for Black substrate for my messy Puffer.
I need to see any uneaten meats to vacuum out, right away after meals. -cheers!
I’ve been watching your videos for a while and have never subscribed until now. Your a likeable guy and very knowledgable. I had a real light weight fine sand in my cichlid tanks but I switched it out for a heavy sand, I got fed up with the sand finding it’s way into my filters getting stirred up into the water column. What are the benefits of a lighter grade sand? And what live plants have you found if any that are less likely to be demolished by South American cichlids?
Thank you for the sub, much appreciated. I have a finer sand in the tank with geophagus because they are constantly sifting and blowing it past their gills, so I wanted something very fine that would be very unlikely to irritate them. However, I agree with you on how fine sand gets in the filters and there's always some that gets sucked up when siphoning, no matter how careful we are. The CaribSea aragonite in my AC tank is a more medium size "sand" and is much easier to work with. It doesn't get sucked up the siphon so easily.
Regarding plants, I currently have some java fern and anubias in with the severum and geo's. So far so good, but the real test will be when they get bigger. That's when my plant experiment failed with ACs. It was fine with the smaller juvies, but once they put on size they destroyed the plants and I had no choice except to either go plantless or with artificial.
@@BenOchart I’ve bought some Java fern yesterday funnily enough so we’ll see how that goes. But thank you for your response Ben, it’s very much appreciated and keep on doing what your doing, it’s good we have a credible fish keeper in the hobby that’s not all about click bate. There are one or two out there
Black Diamond Blasting Sand from Tractor Supply Company makes a great cheap black substrate.
How much layers (height), and combination of substrates, should one select to maximize the time. Before the substrate has to be changed (as it may run out of nutrients). This is for planted tanks
Hey Ben, any word on the 300g from Glasscages? You have to stay on top of those folks because their email system is setup so that you may be talking to someone different every day. It's very strange. You might be better off calling them directly to inquire/place your order. One thing is for sure - Adam C got his 300g from them and it's a fantastic tank.
It's actually a 90 gal (but I would prefer a 300 gal, LOL!) I asked last week for a status and no one has responded??? I'm going to call on Monday.
@@BenOchart Oh, ok, 90 is great too! For some reason, I thought you were eyeing a a big show tank. Call them Ben, trust me, that's better than email with them. Are you planning on any other larger tanks?
I got white sand for my first two tank.. They looked great, until I put fish in.. I just ordered volcanic pebbles for my 3rd.
Thanks for the information!
Im new to fish tank, I'm going for Betta fish two girls. I'm using a drink Despenser for my tank. I need lots of advice on taking care of Betta fish
I used quickcrete concrete mix. All tan mix. Fourteen dollars for 125 gallon set up
HI BEN: I LOVE BOTH SUBSTRATES. GREAT VIDEO. BUT I DECIDED TO GO WITH NO SUBSTRATE. I USE MY EHIEM VACUUM ON THE BOTTOM OF THE TANKS, AND IN LESS THAN A MINUTE, THE WHOLE BOTTOM OF MY TANK IS POOP FREE. I HAVE TO MAKE MY LIKE EASIER....GETTING OLDER.....HA-HA.....
I get it Danny🤣🤣🤣
Would you prefer covering all the three sides of your tank with black colour or just back of the tank?
I really like looking in the side and getting that long view of the tank. So I would not black out the side panels.
@@BenOchart thanks Ben. Hope you will add more cichlids on your tanks....
Coming next week. Stay tuned😀
My white sand particles have become discolored. It's not dirt detritus. The individual particles itself have got stained.
Coul be due to a past diatom bloom. But it's still not back to perfect white. How do we clean the sand apart from a basic gravel vac?
Ben why can't you use sand from a supply yard for substrate. Wouldn't natural sand be healthier? I have been reaching this some say no others say they have done it with no problem. I have seen a lot of people use a 55 gallon barrel full of sand as part of their sump ? What's your opinion.
I’ve the pros and cons and trust CaribSea. With African Cichlids and Geophagus there is a lot of sifting and things like blasting sand can be abrasive. I’ve also heard plays and can create blue-green algae issues due to silicates in the sand. It might all be untrue urban legends, but I got a good deal and went with the CariSea products.
Very informative good job 👍
I love both of black and white sand and I also like brown sand
Hey man, sorry if I missed you mention it, but what substrate is that darker one?... I love the dark with a little bit of lighter colors and white mixed in!looks awesome
I think that’s Imaginarium Black from PetCo with some crushed coral mixed in to add minerals to the water.
@@BenOchart awesome.. Thanks for the reply man
I have dolphin cichlid. dark or white substrate which one will be good for the fish?
What about having both dark and light sand with a partition? Planning plant heavily in the dark substrate, hardly any plants on the light sand side. This a 29G tank, hoping to have an apisto pair, tetras, cory's and otto catfish.. Want to have lighter sand because I imagine apistos may look cool there .. But if it's gonna dull down their color, I may just do dark sand throughout
what kind stone are those? Those are beautiful with orange pattern !
I’m not sure what they are. I picked them up at a local fish store.
What about the different types of sand? Are some coarse and not safe for Mikrogeophagus? I know black and from hardware has a coarse grain but what about black sands from pet stores?
It's good to see you are setting up those nice tanks again. Forgot the name of the plant in african cichlids tank. Any chance can share the store link and plant name again?
It’s an artificial plant from Elite Cichlids
How do you feel about mixing sand and gravel? Recently I have taken your advice about bring my two Goldfish to the pet store, happy to report they have made it into an indoor pond. Have made many changes since, one of which is white sand and brown gravel in the 29
Hi, what is the name of these red Stones please?
I’m not sure. I bought at my local fish store here in Nashville
About one year ago, I decided to give my aquarium a different type of substrate, I mainly keep fish that are between three to five inches. I decided to try imitation grass, so I bought an off cut to try, first in my pond to see how the fish reacted because it is made from plastic, I knew that it would be safe. I found that the only problem that I had was that it has a tendency to slowly float, so I siliconed some flat slate on the underside (fish safe silicone) I put it into my aquarium ans the fish have seemed to be quite happy with it, rocks and perished wood also help to hold it down. I used the 35mm long blades of grass but I think that a shorter blade may be better. I only have fake plants but good quality ones and the bases of them were a bit too light in colour they normally are pushed into the gravel, so I covered the bases with Black silicone and then pressed green gravel onto the silicone, you can see that they are different from the grass but they look fine, like rocks sticking out from the brass. The whole thing is so easy to clean because all of the detritus sits on the grass and is easily syphoned. I have made a second grass base and I have changed it so that a really clean one is put in every so often, the dirty one is hosed down to reuse. I really like it, I just wish that I could find a grass that sinks. My fish seem to be fine and they feed from the grass just the same as they used to feed from gravel.
Post a picture
@@ronsmith2817 I don`t know how to post a picture on CZcams.
Great idea!
Which fish species is that in the black gravel tank?
African Cichlids and the bright one in there is a dragon blood that I ended up giving away because he was just too aggressive.
@@BenOchart aah oké what a beautiful one though haha. He looked so cute. But apparently he isn't xD
Recommendation (pros/cons) for substrate for neon tetras?
I’m certainly not a neon expert. They don’t sift the substrate so I imagine a small to medium gravel would be fine.
Would you get a dark or light substrate for mbuna cichlids? Since they don’t really produce a lot of solid waste I was thinking crushed coral for the ph balance and look but I like the look of black sand also
Black aragonite or a mix of both would work
I'm getting a 225 gallon tank next week that is 6 feet wide and 2 feet deep.
Based upon your experience, how many pounds should I buy of this sand?
How deep of a substrate do you want to have?
Any issues with sand getting into canister filters?
Not if you’re careful vacuuming and keep the intakes several inches off the bottom
I know this is an older video but a quick question please sir.. I'm upgrading my tanks Whats the best way to transfer my fish and substrate and filter media over to the new tank? Thank you sir!!!
I just went through this.
The most vital point, next to not over stressing your fish, is to keep the beneficial bacteria alive.
I used a large measuring cup and moved the substrate over before the new tank had water (if you add it by dropping it in a full tank you’ll have cloudy water for a month). I then placed a plate on the substrate and added half the water from the old tank making sure it hits the plate so not to stir things up.
This reduced the water level on the old tank by 50% and less water makes it easier to catch the fish. I then added water conditioner (for the full volume of the new tank) and filled with temp matched water. I transferred over the filters, heaters, decor and got them all running, then I brought over a the fish. The bacteria in the substrate (and filters and decor) will give you an instantly cycled tank.
The biggest mistake people make (apart from dropping the sand in a full tank and making the tank cloudy for a month) is adding untreated water which kills off good bacteria and can bring about an ammonia spike. If you follow the steps described above it has the same impact on the fish as a big water change.
I condition the water for a few days in a row after a big move like this, testing the water daily for a week or so to make sure things are stable (I like those Aquarium Co-op test strips for projects like this, accurate and cost effective).
@@BenOchart thank you so much!!!!🙏👍
I'm gonna be switching to sand this weekend. Would the sand damage my cannister filter if it somehow finds its way inside it? My fear is the sand wearing out the impeller
If that’s a concern set up your filter intake higher and create a small island of rocks immediately under it. That will help. You still might get sand in there but I’ve never had it wear out the motor or impeller.
I use aragonite and I have darker rocks so it is a good contrast. The fish look nice and colored up. I really like the look of the light and dark mix; but I think it would make everything too dark. It looks nice in your setup though!
Those this apply to mbunas as well?
Thanks for the good information Ben. I saw your Electric Blue Jack Dempsey in the tank. I know you had said in the past that you had a problem keeping one in the past. I have lost two of them in the last year. Wondering if you are having better luck with this one and if you found out any good tips on how to help raise the Electric Blue Jack Dempsey's better.
Unfortunately Blue Dempseys ar known for it, the Electric blue acara is a great alternative that tends to survive much longer. I like the looks of the Dempseys better but Acaras are a great close looking alternative.. Maybe you could try that!?
@@DirtNassty Thanks, I actually did get the Electric Blue Acara and he is doing great. In fact he is the life of the tank, always rushing around keeping things lively.
@@HOUSESANDCONDOSoCOM lol that's awesome man... Its so fun watching active fish show off their personalities like that. What all do you keep him with?
@@DirtNassty I have him in with a Golden Severum, a fire mouth cichlid and a plecostomus.
@@HOUSESANDCONDOSoCOM sounds like a perfect mix of colors! Does he get along well with your severum?
Have you experimented with deep sand capped soil substrate?
I tried soil with a sand cap in my early fish keeping days and had to abandon it. I broke the cap twice and made a massive mess of my water column. Took a long time to clean up and I couldn’t be bothered to go at it again. Just Caribsea African Cichlid mix for me now.
@@NesRetroGames Sorry to hear about your difficulty with sand capped dirt. We have designed a system that seems bulletproof. Lots of people finding it very successful, especially for maintaining tanks long term, near zero maintenance, and great plant production.
Perhaps try it again. Would be happy to help.
Hello Father Fish! No, I’ve never done that but I was considering fluorite covered in sand, 3-4” total substrate
@@BenOchart Hello Ben! 2" of sand over 1+" of flourite or soil will provide am anaerobic layer that will break down waste. Mulm will precipitate into the sand removing detritus from the water and eliminating the need for vacuuming.
Try it. You will like it.
what brand is that white sand?
Hi thanks for a great video. I need some help. We have 2 aquariums. One with black gravel 6 months cycled . The other is a natural gravel 1 week cycled. The new tank the water looks so foggy. Is it because itS reflecting off the light Color gravel.. or is it foggy because it’s a new tank that’s only been cycled for 1 week so far I really hope this makes sense
It is common for new tanks to get a bacteria/algae bloom. It's a good sign and means that the tank is able to sustain life. It will clear up eventually on its own. If you get impatient you can add some Seachem Purigen or Boyd Chemipure to the filter and it will absorb all the dust that is floating around.
@@BenOchart your amazing. Thanks so much for advice 👌👌
I like to know the best substrate for my wolf dovii cichlid,I mostly see people using sand or just rocks no subtrate at all . Will gravel cause them to break there teeth when they dig or will it not effect teeth 🦷? Thanks
I have not kept that kind of fish. I do know that they constantly move the substrate and decor. I suggest watching a few of the most popular dovii CZcams videos you can find and check out what kind of substrate is in the tanks.
@@BenOchart Oka thanks for the reply I had another question on ur power head video is the 2450 gps the power head ur using ? Because I got a 180 and wanted to know if that will work and what ur using for ur 150 tank in ur video? Thanks
I need help ASAP huge red algae breakout in my leopard puffer tank last 48hrs what should I do to kill it but not kill my leopard puffer?!? Recommendations???????
Have you tested for phosphates? Water changes and if no luck there are some products that will reduce phosphates. Do you add any new decor or substrate that might be releasing phosphates?
@@BenOchart no new decor but existing rock and plastic plant look bad-I’ll remove do a water change and see if it works. Appreciate the advice and won’t hold against you if puffer dies 😜 any chemical additions you can recommend? It’s a awkward 35 long tank with hang on back filter which I plan on disassembling and totally cleaning it big time
I use Sakrete multipurpose sand. It’s on the darker side and looks really natural, it’s also loaded with silt and looks really dirty at first.
I don’t know if it affects the Ph but I like the look and it is cheap. It is also sold as “tube sand” that you use to add weight to your truck for winter.
Apart from waste spotting & fish coloration, you mentioned nothing else. 10 mins to make these two points.
There’s a lot more. Watch it again. If you still don’t see more I’ll get you a full refund🤣
Ben you know the fruity pebbles gravel is the best
🤣🤣🤣
Nice info
nice video, new subscriber
Hi Ben...I have two sunsun 304b’s one on a 30g and the other on a 55g...would a good topic be when and how long to use the UV light in them...maybe cover how damage could or does happen to the trays with over use..or does that happen if you have no air in the system and don’t have the UV light on 24/7....I run once a week for 24 hours and then turn off...is this too long....I also just got sunsun 3000 for a 90g the UV as you know can be on timer I’m thinking 2 hours a day can’t be bad....pls advise...ps..I have a green terror in that 55g...he is beautiful and has a really good temper...he will be going in the 90 after I get it cycled...anyways let me know on that UV topic...thx Justin
I would only run the one on the 704-b on weekends.
@@BenOchart 10-4....me too..did you run for 24 hours on the weekend or 12 ...did you ever melt the trays or have problems like others out there on you tube....I haven’t had that and hopefully don’t
Is eco complete ok for african cichlids?
There’s a version that is specifically for African cichlids
Light fish over dark substrate.
Dark fish over light substrate.
That's always worked well for me to get fish to show thier best colors.
Light substrate washes out the fish, I'm preparing to swap it out with dark grey
Doesn’t one of your tanks have 1/2 & 1/2 or is that Corral?
My two largest tanks have aragonite, crushed coral and sand. I’m gonna add more black sand to the 300. I think the African cichlids looked better with a darker substrate.
@@BenOchart
Is this the medium grade from tractor supply and do you have problems with it getting into your impellers?
Oh you have a sump, but I thought I seen a FX on this tank.
👍👍👍
I want to know about the aragonite substrate
It's great stuff and CaribSea is a good source for it. Available at most LFSs, on line and at my Amazon store: www.amazon.com/shop/benochart
@@BenOchart ok I appreciate it I’ll be looking on Amazon for it
No cannister filters? I see marinelands.
Marine lands and XpertMatics. I’ll put my Fluval on the higher tank I’m getting.
Not gonna miss 70% water change once or twice a week
Just switched to black from white substrate and my fishes colors are more vibrant.
What color is your background?
@@BenOchart it's an underocean scenary with a mix of black rocks which covers bottom 40 percent of the tank and from there onwards sky blue color to the top, actually it is difficult to explain how the background looks 😂but it does look good than a full black background which I have in a 40G breeder.
How about NO substrate ..
It's personal preference but I think white is not as natural looking as the darker substrate
Great suggestions! Please check out my Mbuna Tank and let me know what I can do to improve... Thanks!
Hi,
Out of the 9:28 mins, the first two mins were just talking...talking... talking...why can't you come to the topic straight away...
I’m sending you a full refund 😉🤣
Lighter substrate grow algae faster
It certainly shows it more! It's one reason I'm considering using the white gravel 55 gallon to grow out some cichlids. That white substrate will force me to keep the tank spotless because it shows every spec.
We get a refund, lol