Substrate is the material you put on the bottom of your aquarium. There are many offerings available today catering to general use as well as very specialized applications. Choices range from epoxy covered quartz to natural materials collected from all over the world in every color, size and shape one can imagine. Here are a few guidelines to assist you in making the best choice for your particular aquatic creation.
Why do we even use substrate?
First and foremost, people pick their substrate because of how it looks. Even though we know this is not the best reasoning for our fish, it is the truth. Fortunately the suppliers of substrate materials know this and have worked hard to provide beneficial products in a multitude of colors, sizes and shapes.
You do have the option of foregoing substrate all together. Many breeders go with bare bottoms for efficiency and it is recommended for quarantine or hospital tanks. Bare bottoms can be unsightly since there is nothing to hide the detritus that inevitably builds up.
Substrate provides a