What's everyones favorite substrate?

[JessJesting]

I've seen so many different types of bottoms for lotl tanks! From bare bottom to tile to sand. So what's everyone's favorite??

I need ideas for my tank! It's bare bottom at the moment waiting for my baby axie to get a little bigger. But I need ideas! I have a leucistic and I want to show off his color!





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[Kaini]

So far I've only had bare bottom in my axie tank, but I'm upgrading him to sand next week! I have sand in my other tanks and I love it. It looks so lovely - and it's easy to clean in my opinion.

 

[scorpio110684]

I like the way sand looks in my tank because it reminds me of the beach. In my opinion its easy to maintain too.

 

[JessJesting]

Ooo what kinda sand are you getting? That's what I'm leaning towards but I want something different then just the regular ole tan color. I have sand in a lot of my fish tanks.

Have you had any problems with the axies 'gripping' the bare bottom tank?

Keep me updated on the transfer. I'm rather excited to see it!


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[auntiejude]

I have an acrylic sheet with sand siliconed down onto it. Looks like sand, but axies can't bury their poop, worms can't burrow, can't get anaerobic gas bubbles etc.

I tried large rocks, but poop and food and algae accumulated underneath.

I keep my babies in bare-bottom tanks.

 

[JessJesting]

Wow that's interesting auntiejade! I'd love to see pictures!


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[Kaini]

Ooo what kinda sand are you getting? That's what I'm leaning towards but I want something different then just the regular ole tan color. I have sand in a lot of my fish tanks.

Have you had any problems with the axies 'gripping' the bare bottom tank?

Keep me updated on the transfer. I'm rather excited to see it!

I don't like the look of the tan sand, personally - I bought a super fine grain white sand. Caribsea super naturals.

I don't think Zion has ever really had a problem with gripping the bare bottom tank? I mean he's still a baby so he does more swimming than walking, so I guess it wouldn't bother him much. He does kinda slide around on the bottom, lol.

 

[auntiejude]

Wow that's interesting auntiejade! I'd love to see pictures!

Here:

 

[JessJesting]

I like the look of that auntiejude! It's very unique. May have to consider stealing your idea! ;-)

I've been looking into the super naturals. Particularly the tahitian moon sand but I've heard horror stories. On the site it says its .5-1 mm grain though.. So I am conflicted... I don't want anything to harm my little lotl!


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[Kaini]

I've been looking into the super naturals. Particularly the tahitian moon sand but I've heard horror stories. On the site it says its .5-1 mm grain though.. So I am conflicted... I don't want anything to harm my little lotl!

I considered that taihitian sand too but I decided in the end to heed the horror stories and not risk it.
Plus it's expensive. bleh.

The and I'm talking about is the super fine grain white sand they sell. Like I said I use it in my other tanks so I know it's nice and suitable.

 

[JessJesting]

Yeah the stories are enough to keep me away. Someone suggested to me black blasting sand in the ultra fine grade. She said she's used it in all her lotl tanks with no problems. But once again I worry about its roughness...


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[Ted]

this isn't for Axolotl's ,I don't think ,but it's my current favorite 'substrate' because I just finished putting it in a tank..it's a set up for a large aquatic frog,and it's silk leaves. Dark autumn silk leaves.i washed them really good and just put them in. They slowly sink right to the bottom.they are super soft and look incredible.i got this brilliant idea from Frank Indiviglio,who was making a display tank for a zoo..thanks Frank..everything I've ever read from you I found amazing....

 

[Chinadog]

I've been thinking about dead autumn leaves as a substrate, I'll look out for some silk ones and see how they look.

 

[JessJesting]

Sounds cool! Post some pics! And what kinda frog do you have?


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[Ted]

All I can say is my frog is from south America..is that ok? Check e-bay for leaves, around $13 per 100, free shipping.you'll need more than you think ,so order extra.they float around the bottom so naturally.i will never wash them or take them out again,thinking a bacteria colony will set up,tons of surface area.

 

[JessJesting]

Lol yeah that's ok. I was just curious. I have an empty 29 I want to fill with something fun. =)


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[Ted]

What I got going,if that's what your thinking..I have just this to say...you will have a blast!

 

[mackinthebox]

right now my favorite is algae lol

Ive got a bare bottom tank that recently had n algae outbreak
Most of the floor is now covered in green algae
Woodstock really seems to like it, he is able to use it for better footing and it has an added benefit of helping filter the water
I have to get in there and trim it back sometimes but woodstock helps with this too, he seems to like snacking on the longer bits LOL
I like the way it looks, with the spot lights i have and how dark the tank is it kinda looks like his own personal grotto hehehe
you can kinda see it here:

and here is a pic of his tank before it was completely cleaned and moved to another stand
lots more algae than it has now!

 

[JessJesting]

Wow that is kinda cool! Lol I just don't think I could 'control' the algae like that.


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[Ted]

Yeah,that is really sweet.probably the ultimate substrate when you can get a nice carpet of algae growing across the bottom....I've had similar tanks in the past ,but not as under control like yours.