Are These The Best For Your Aquarium? Pros And Cons Of All Substrates

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General Cure: bit.ly/2PcjXr1
Paracleanse: bit.ly/2NXlqkm
Maracyn: bit.ly/31n8dVh
Ick Medication: bit.ly/3fkZZoS Today we're discussing the different options of aquarium substrates out there to help you decide which one is best for you.
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Check out our brand new website and shop for all of your aquarium supplies and fun merch!
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Here's the link to Father Fish's video about thick substrates, well it's one of them, he has a bunch on the topic:
kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYKzaoamiLqSl9k
🛒 Links to popular products we use:
Seachem Tidal Filters: bit.ly/3fjkjXF
Sicce Shark ADV Internal Filter: bit.ly/390JuKn
Fritz Guard: bit.ly/3csfNUR
Fritz Complete: bit.ly/3spgtQi
Fritz Dark Water: bit.ly/3sx49gQ
Fritz Betta Guard: bit.ly/3svhExw
Aquarium Salt: bit.ly/3svcIsz
Algae Remover: bit.ly/3sx8nVR
Plant Fertilizer: bit.ly/31lwGKy
General Cure: bit.ly/2PcjXr1
Paracleanse: bit.ly/2NXlqkm
Maracyn: bit.ly/31n8dVh
Ick Medication: bit.ly/3fkZZoS

[@KGTropicals]

*🛒Check out our website and shop LIVE BETTAS and all of your aquarium supplies!* keepfishkeeping.com

[@Matthew_Does_To_Many_Things]

@@BikashKakati009 nope in there streams they say that they can only ship in the United States

[@knoxvitela2277]

Hi guys I have a question! My Dumbo bettas fins are grown and not ripped but the middle tail seems to be folded towards the bottom, Similar to a human folding their pinky and ring finger and having the rest spread out, That a birth defect ? Did he get injured really bad and it broke ? Can it unfold

[@FatherFish]

Thank you very much for the shout out. GRUMPY? ME? LOL Great vid, as always. Happy to help anyone build a natural aquarium.

[@pedrocastel8177]

BR FF!!

[@scottstankevich8866]

You sound grumpy lol. But the knowledge we get from you is inspiring. It makes total sence. I have had tanks on and off for 30 years and finally are getting to the age to call eveyday a Saturday ( aka close to retirement ). I will absolutely be setting up a " nature " tank.

[@FatherFish]

​@@scottstankevich8866 Sometimes I really do feel grumpy. Thank you for your kindness. John and Lisa have provided me an opportunity to reach out to many new fish keepers who I hope will become friends. I do not want to appear grumpy, just an irascible old man! lol

[@mrsprimetimeaquatics5497]

Father Fish? Sweet. A sweet man. ☺️

[@FatherFish]

@@mrsprimetimeaquatics5497 Mrs PT - a very sweey lady. So enjoyed meeting you at Aquashella.

[@GlassBoxHero]

I really appreciate this video and how you called out Father Fish.

[@Brilliance792]

I’d like to highly recommend BDBS (black diamonds blasting sand) to anyone looking for a cheap black sand substrate, it’s about $11 for 50 lbs

[@Atrocious1]

Do you know if they sell it at lowes or any other similar stores?

[@Lookin4LoveInAllTheWrongPlaces]

@@Atrocious1 I buy it at Tractor Supply. But be sure not to get the ultra fine blasting sand. I think the size I got is the 20/40. It works out pretty good and I really like the way it looks in my tanks.

[@Atrocious1]

@@Lookin4LoveInAllTheWrongPlaces thanks man been searching for a black sand that isn't 40 bucks for a 20lbs bag!

[@dannyhyde7019]

I agree. Been using it for years in all my tanks. My 125 Bichir tank is fully planted and grows like mad. You cant beat it for the price

[@tehKap0w]

Just another +1 for BDBS; I also found it at Tractor Supply. it's all I've ever used in my 20 gal and it looks amazing. It's variegated and just a little bit shiny. It does a great job of hiding the mulm.

[@mrsprimetimeaquatics5497]

Lol! Lisa “I do what I want” 😂😂👌🎸

[@Tasha13.]

Omg that puffer fish was amazing 🤩

[@PpVaLLeTTa]

Learned a lot from you guys this eventually became a member this week and still trying to catch up

[@zeriyx]

the river rock gravel by the petco brand is my favorite. it's so smooth and uniform. it's not the absolute most attractive, but i love that my fish can be clumsy on it and it's never a risk that they'll get injured or torn. it also requires very little washing prior to using it. they have a few different kinds, but some of the varieties have a lot of jagged pieces.

[@Desmond000007]

Father Fish really is the Grandmaster of deep substrate and foodweb aquariums.

[@patrickmurphy9921]

Wonderfully thorough video! Learned a lot and thank you so much for the FF shout out. I appreciate seeing channels work with eachother! :)

[@toadtamer]

Great video, and great info! I do want to add a side note about play sand; it's super high in silicates. When people say rinse well, they mean rinse it SUPER WELL. Also, regular potting soil has perlite in it and that wants to float REALLY BAD. Make sure you get AQUATIC potting soil, it sinks better.

[@cplatner60]

Hi John. Really enjoy your videos, keep up the amazing content!

[@herpdiversity9152]

So few large channels take this good a look at this topic. Thank you. I definitely love the deep sand be method

[@Brad.Hobbies]

Great video KG, I would love to see father fish come on and talk substrates with you and Lisa.

[@luster5497]

Extra battery beneficial analogy; -it's always a plus to have extra, you can't lose anything. -deep gravel is good for plants roots. Cons- stir the deep gravel and you will crash the tank with ammonia spike.

[@kimmiyshi]

got my paycheck on friday! you know what that means? finally becoming a member. keep up the amazing work, i've been watching you guys since i was 16 years old :) (currently 19).

[@Lumpydog]

Nice work on the topic. Thanks for sharing. Cheers

[@JohnDoe-qr2cp]

Thank you for mentioning Father Fish's channel. Such a great channel it took me a few hours to come back to this video! Keep it coming :)

[@verohb79]

My son and I love your videos. You two are awesome. We don’t need to see any other fish channels!

[@patriciapowers3751]

I really appreciate your emphasis on ‘research’. So very important.

[@bonesawarm6987]

Ur videos are back to there very best just like they were way back in 2013 when you were showing us all the cichlids etc..loving it keep it up dude

[@mattkinsella9856]

There's a lot to be said for basic gravel and sand. A lot of new fish keepers get tons of special planting substrate then fill it with root tabs and add extra fertilizer to the water and it seems to me that's A LOT of ferts for basic plants that aren't that established yet. In other hobbies there's the saying "all the gear and no idea". There's a lot to be said for starting at the begining and make progress slowly.

[@anthonyrodriguez5993]

Thanks for all the help im new to fish keeping and im glad theres so much good information out there like your videos and aquarium co-ops keep up all the amazing work your doing

[@dyngbld]

Pea gravel from lowes. Three bags for a 45gal tank. Took a few minutes to clean. Looks great. I think it was $4 or so a bag.

[@caewalker9276]

🤣 We're all going to Aquarium Co-op and telling them what you said free fish! 🤪🤣🤣🤣👍

[@mikefike4863]

I like doing a combination of both. I use sand but if I want color I will add a little gravel or buy a little bag of the expensive sand to add on top! I now have just started doing Father fish mud sand method! Love your videos! I am thinking of starting a youtube channel myself since I have really became engulfed in the hobby!

[@melissatrent2500]

When I got my 10 gallon tank last summer, my husband picked "unicorn gravel" for me, lol. So my tank has blue and purple (purple is my favorite color) mixed gravel in it with some white stones that he picked as well for contrast. I like it a lot. I am saving up for a 20 gallon though, will be moving my fish to that one, and will be using more natural color gravel in that. My 10 gallon will then be for a betta.

[@jordanfishtanks8146]

Thank you so much for giving father fish a shoutout, he is the best!

[@lp22aquatics]

Great video...sand guy here, but really interesting learning more about other substrates. Also liked watching the puffer puff up!

[@sergeiz.5815]

Awesome excellent info. Thanks 👍😊 I will stay with gravel being a beginner

[@techno-phobe3000]

Unicorn puke! 😂😂😂 lmfao!!! (Would be a great name for a race horse!)

[@redcopper5393]

Thanks to your videos, I gain more information about this wonderful hobby

[@rhiannonslfaitken]

I have bright pink gravel and I have plant substrate and brown gravel. I like the variety 😄

[@jimmyreese4740]

Awesome video keep it up guys!!!

[@grayaquatics852]

I use caribsea naturals sand. Started using it years ago and it is my go to. Never had a problem with it other than a bit dirty cleaning it at first.

[@tazmama3288]

I just got that sand. Some of it is looking a little black already. Have you noticed this? Do you know the cause?

[@pedrocastel8177]

Thx for mentioning father fish!! I love him!! Great issue, BR from Bolivia!

[@peterbuxa1675]

Glad you gave credit to father fish. I may not follow his technique but I think it is a valid approach.

[@dusk1947]

I think this was a fantastic overview and I liked the way you framed the conversation. You nailed the basics and aesthetic considerations in choosing substrate. I hope you do a few follow up, but I understand if you don’t. When you start digging into substrate chemistry, nutrient management, and microbial diversity; it gets very complicated, very quickly. But ‘digging deeper’ into the topic does serve hobbyists well.

[@josephgadway8950]

A power head on the bottom of my 50 g and 60g bare tanks have a hose to a container on top. Usually zero fish poop on the bottom. Yes, there is a container on top of my aquarium used to filter .

[@irvingcobian]

I agree I started with bright neon orange gravel because it's all they had at the pet store. I just switched to white sand because it looks so much nicer and compliments my dark gray stones better

[@rulizedeklerk3708]

Thank you so so much for the video. Loved the yellow Labs. And learned a lot

[@maggiehirst6710]

Love to see that you guys have goldfish too! 😄

[@pelhamsaquatics]

😂🤣😂 great video and we love the humor🙂👍🏻

[@gmoneyop2736]

I don’t typical go on KZbin when I’m bored but since I recently got back into the fish hobby and I found this channel I’m always on KZbin watching your videos.. lol

[@lilpwnige]

Honestly my favorite substrate is a combination of the seachem flourite substrates. Combining Flourite Dark, Black and Red gravel with Onyx Sand, its not cheap, but its very easy to clean and gives you the aesthetic properties of both. In general the whole Seachem sand line is fantastic, the granules seem coarser then most other sands, almost like its a very fine gravel, but it looks like sand, behaves like sand in the ways that matters and there's no shot of it making it past a prefilter sponge.

[@ACUARIOSNATURALES]

Super Like y excelente video te felicito te mando muchos saludos y abrazo desde Argentina para ti y todos tus suscriptores y me suscribo a tu canal

[@NEnigma777]

I love the unicorn puke colored gravel because it matches my unicorn pink decorated home 🤣

[@damiangrouse4564]

Wife: “I do want I want” Husband: ok so will I… Wife: go ahead, try…🧟‍♀️

[@Atrocious1]

Off topic but I rescued a 7 yo tiger Oscar yesterday! Couldn't help but think about John during the process. He came in a 65gal tank. He is in there with a JD and some type of smaller catfish. I was thinking this was a little small for him/her. What would you say? I've never kept any Oscar's before, I'm getting mixed reviews and opinions on the net. His condition is way better now then it was I just want to provide the best possible life for the fish 🐟 @KGTropicals

[@raulalvarez7862]

On google says that 55g is enough, but 75g or larger is highly recommended for the fish

[@Atrocious1]

@@raulalvarez7862 yeah I probably read the same standard search result as far as the 55gal. I have been seeing a lot of 125 requirements as well. The largest tank I have is a 75 gal. So ultimately I think I will be moving him into that for the time being. This will require me to do a lot of moving around. I have 6 tanks. So hopefully I can get everyone in a good healthy place effectively. Thanks man!

[@raulalvarez7862]

@@Atrocious1 I think he will be completely fine in that tank! Good luck

[@stephaniemartin7999]

I would love to see your 360 in it’s entirety. Please do a video showcasing it in the near future

[@jamesgreen9372]

Thanks for mentioning Father Fish. He is a great resource. I have learned a good deal from listening to him. Great video, Jim

[@PaulZyCZ]

7:00 - I recommend doing vinegar test if you go for random cheap sand to check it's pH and water hardness neutral.

[@QuadzQuad]

Hahahahahhaah I was already heading to my LFS hahahaha

[@keepamerica2astrong280]

Hey John, great vid as usual...

[@Kai0nTheMoon]

Another option for those who want to keep a bare bottom in larger tanks, is to have planter pots or trays filled with gravel, sand or dirt within the tank. I grow plants in my bare bottom tank out of pots the way I would on a patio. It allows bacteria to grow, while also making it easy to clean up poops and excess food from the bare bottom. And should you want to remove the substrate, all you have to do is slowly lift out the pots or trays without having to pick out every last bit of sand from the corner of the tank itself.

[@patriciapowers3751]

Shout out to Father Fish! I love my deep dirted substrate.

[@scottstankevich8866]

Wow! I didn't realize how much the black gravel cost for the Lab tank. But I can see why. That tank pops. Also nice to see the fancy goldfish.

[@therineo7839]

IDJUT!, can't believe you didn't clip in "Dumd & dummer" I already did hahahahahah

[@aoaquatics4005]

I have a mixed substrate in my 125 OVERSIDED nano tank. Sand and planted tank substrate mixed. The plants haven’t taken off but are living and not dying. Planning to update as time goes on

[@jessebelle6596]

Great video! Learned a lot, thanks! :)

[@Lookin4LoveInAllTheWrongPlaces]

He called the $h!t..... pooop!! Bahahahaha!. ~Billy Madison~

[@lonelywolf3209]

For aesthetics and overall natural appearance i will go with sand but i swear there is no substitute for gravels when it comes to maintenance and super cheap substrate.

[@JoyZofSoRRoW]

I've adopted the dirt and sand cap system that Father Fish and others. I've noticed that Not only do I have better and livelier plants because of it but the overall health and well being of my fish is more optimum. Tested along next to gravel and sand only tanks for two years now. I have decided to switch all my tanks, even my picos, to this method. Also thanks to Father Fish's Discord, I have found a cheap black sand substitute. $12 for 50 lbs!

[@frankiefingerz8047]

U r right i started w gravel then moved to sand but i moved back to gravel i hate gravel vacking but i hate sand gettin in my filter more

[@antho_rises2452]

Hey quick question! So if I get a beta fish or betas and cherry shrimp in my tank, is there a way to prevent the beta/as from eating the shrimp?

[@FishSuppliesPlus]

Love the channel keep it up!!!

[@MountainFisher]

I found that sponge type lava rock like clean pumice will grow anaerobic bacteria deep inside the rock in a tank with a good flow. I had some in a tank for decorations and it had no nitrate after a year. Being a biologist I figured out the inside of the rock/sponge had little to no O2, but the surface of the rock had aerobic bacteria that ate the ammonia/nitrite and CO2 that was driven into the rock and fed the anaerobic bacteria that ate the nitrate byproduct. What little nitrate that was left was eaten by the Java Fern I kept as a divide in the tank. I said clean lava rock, wash it with plain water and get any dust out of it and make sure it doesn't have a strong sulfur smell, a light smell is fine, but a rock with sulfur crystals would put out too much sulfur and smell.

[@michaelcranston5660]

Unicorn puke. So accurate and so funny.

[@ProgressiveDiscussions]

I prefer the bare bottom aquarium because it allows for no hiding places for waste to spike the ammonia. Not to mention the extra water that you can put into the aquarium.

[@trishnadora5680]

Ahhhh first hope u see this u advices rly help meee!!! 😆😆😆

[@DLMyth2]

Shout out to Father Fish!😊

[@chrisr4482]

For my Oscar, I definitely went bare bottom with driftwood, terra cotta, and slabs of a busted up pool table (rounded down) for those exact reasons. Surface area on decorations, but easy to clean and forces you to keep up with water changes. Convicts get gravel, with no method to shaping as they do it themselves. 😁

[@cancel-davis4171]

Hi Jon, I Love Oscars.. I do trust your advice. I have a long 75g. I have 2 baby Oscars.3in.? I want to get Plecos.. So my *Question is What/Which Pleco(s) & caves are best Also I thinking Sand for Substrate*

[@x_moosh_x2969]

I'm currently on my first tank and I chose sand even though people told me not too. I love the look of sand and yes it may be a little harder then gravel to clean but it looks nice. However, I chose white sand as I would like kuhli loaches in the future. I currently have 3 balloon mollies and holy cow they can poop! My sand will never be white again haha. It's okay as it add the the "natural" look in my opinion.

[@tonyhind6992]

I love my dirt fish tank. Been doing it for 10 years.

[@cichlid_kings]

Hit the nail on the head. Off to pick up my free fish for the subscription 🤣🤣🤣

[@herpdiversity9152]

Subbing because finally a big channel is supporting dep sand bed as at least a viable option.

[@jdelgado1403]

I love canister filters they are the best thing I've ever used but I do have a question about that pufferfish I'd love it what kind of puffer fish is it?

[@BonnieGBell-ul5eh]

I'm one of the learn by watching .. can you do a video showing how to clean the sand substrate?

[@cudasfishkeeping5435]

I actually used garden soil for my planted aquarium. But you should definitely let it cycle way long lol.

[@Octobhia]

I never knew that there are somanythings in growing fish I just taught there could live anywhere I put them,but now I learnt a lot for KGTropicals

[@BenrealMcCrimon]

Is there a fish net that allows sand to pass through it but not the fish poop? I'm going to look in to that and see if there is a patent on one, if not I'm going to make one.

[@kkdeveauxgue2784]

John...🤣 You can be insane at times,but at least...Your honest,I have a 20 gallon a 40 gallon and now a 60 gallon and I want this 60g to be spectacular...so I'm gonna HOB it and substrate it and use the light they gave me and go from there..your a funny guy,Substrate 🤔🤔 Keep it 💯 John lol🤣🤣

[@ashleycomeaux1975]

Ms. Puff at 11:50 😆

[@elijahdontrelljones]

Love your vids keep it up.

[@W1ffSh0t]

I’m new to fish keeping and looking into stocking my tank soon, my question is if I get all my fish from the same pet store and the same time is it better to quarantine them all at once in my main tank or do I need a second tank and spend 4 months moving them from the quarantine tank to the main tank individually?

[@Caleddon]

Father fish rang his sandbell thousand times during this video

[@ShannonD-on1uv]

Hi

[@fcplayz4347]

what was the fish at 1:50? I just want to see if i could support one.

[@josephgadway8950]

I have had bare bottom tanks ever since my goldfish had a stone stuck in his mouth, which I had to remove with tweezers. Bare bottom tanks for about 12 years now. Do what you want-GOOOO LISA!

[@Nigelaquaticsfish]

Have you used sea chem black sand fluorite?

[@ml.9417]

I really need recommendations for which brand to buy for gravel

[@purplebunny7728]

Unicorn poop is a beautiful description. I had a bare bottom tank for a while. With good lighting & small fish the reflections are amazing. Small fish = smaller poop. Just saying. Thank you for sharing.

[@stephaniemartin7999]

Kept fish years ago - got away from it when we moved to Ohio, from Florida, lol. All 5 of my kids have multiple tanks so it did rub off on them. Anyway, recently started back into it and wow it certainly has changed a lot. But my favorite moment was setting up a sand sub and my one son laughing at me cause (“ your doing that wrong.”) he saw the play sand bag. Jokes on him and his $60. Sand sub mine looks and works just as well for 1/6 the cost, whis laughing now😂

[@j.t.cooper2963]

For me the choice is a natural, earth colored river gravel because I still use under gravel filters. I've been using them for 36 years and I'm not going to change now. I just prefer them and old habits die hard and I'm an old die hard, but not a grumpy one. 😁

[@TheRocketpony22]

What is the orange with black and bluish markings cichlid in the center of the b roll starting at 6:26?

[@Jaywil07]

Ummmm you are the best clean shiny and smooth

[@rootsnwhiskers8351]

🤣

[@weasleygurl26]

My main fish tank has gravel temporarily. We are preparing to move and I don't want to add sand to my tanks until we get situated. My 10 gallon quarantine tank is bare bottom.

[@joeyfish5]

I found barebottoms just super easy to clean and I feel that with me and my skill level, the gravel I've added to my tank has made my tank alot worse looking then when I just kept my barebottom.

[@joeyfish5]

I just don't know what I want to do. should I go back to barebottom or stick with gravel? I mean I have a Val plant that looks like it's hanging on but i wouldn't say thriving...

[@donbristow8499]

Question I live by the Colorado river and it sand bottom can I use that as a substrate?