The terrible reality is this too many Betta owners fail to recognize how crucial substrate is to the well-being of their fish. Most people only look at the color and cost. Or, even worse, you lack a substrate. Do Betta Prefer Sand Or Gravel?
However, you can significantly improve the appearance and health of your aquarium if you do some studying and make wise decisions.
It may be challenging to select the best substrate for Betta when starting with a Betta fish aquarium. More so since different substrates will cause your betta to behave in different ways.
Owners of betta tanks typically choose a substrate comprised of aquarium dirt that is covered with gravel or sand. Aquarium plants are a great addition to your betta tank’s flora and fauna, making them an excellent choice.
If you want to avoid upkeep, gravel is the best choice for betta tanks. Gravel is preferable because it does not allow bad waste to penetrate as deeply and is easier to maintain. Sands are excellent cleaning substrates because they keep better wastes on the surface.
How To Choose The Best Substrate For Betta Fish
Additionally, adding a substrate will help your betta feel more at home in the aquarium. The substrate is the bottom of your tank, on which all the fish live and swim. It might be difficult to choose the right substrate for your betta because it affects the fish’s surroundings. You can consider the factors listed below in order to choose the best substrate for the fish.
Water Chemistry
Bettas are native to significantly softer, more acidic streams.
Although they can adapt to many different types of water environments, they thrive in neutral to slightly acidic water.
This indicates that you should stay away from substrates that significantly raise the mineral concentration of the water (general and carbonate hardness).
Avoid using materials like crushed coral or aragonite sand as substrates. Calcium and carbonate will continually seep from these substrates into the water, increasing the GH (1.023–1.025), KH (1.008–1.015), and pH (7.4–7.8). This will create a healthy environment for betta fish to live in.
Furthermore, I don’t suggest that newbies utilize substrates that reduce pH, such as certain substrates for planted tanks. If you don’t have a firm grasp of the ins and outs of water chemistry, they can cause issues.
Inert Substrate Is Your Friend
But in all sincerity, I strongly advise using inert substrates in a Betta tank.
Gravel is an excellent option since you can get it in many different natural hues and tones, as well as in artificial colors, to fit whatever decor you choose.
Additionally, you can use inert aquarium sand. On the label, look for a statement that the sand won’t affect the chemistry of your water.
Even aquarists utilize play sand or pool filter sand.
Putting Down Roots
Adding real plants to a Betta tank is something I always advise people to do. Bettas enjoy taking little naps on plant eaves and require somewhere to hide.
Furthermore, by absorbing extra nutrients from fish waste, living plants can contribute to the improvement of water quality.
What kind of plants do you intend to utilize, though?
It is better for plants like Java fern and anubias to grow connected to objects like rocks or driftwood. Whatever substrate you use, they don’t care.
The same is true with floating plants; they will never even come into contact with the substrate.
Several stem plants, such as Ludwig or Brazilian pennywort, get their nutrition straight from the water column.
However, a substrate with inert plants will work best for heavy root feeders like Amazon swords. The plant’s body will receive nutrients from its roots, which spread below the surface.
How Much Substrate Do You Need For A Betta Tank
Once more, it varies. It depends on the size of your tank and how much substrate you need.
Typically, you require around an inch of substrate for a fish-only aquarium.
2 inches provides your plants with plenty of room to extend their roots for rooted, live plants.
Popular Substrate Options For Betta Fish
The setup you already have and the general appearance you desire for your tank play a big role in determining the ideal substrate for the betta. The most important thing to think about, however, should be what will make your Betta fish happy.
The most popular options, along with a list of each one’s benefits and drawbacks, are listed below to assist you in making your choice.
Sand As A Substrate
Sand is a strong competitor for your Betta tank’s substrate. Researching and selecting aquarium-specific sand is important since the majority of the drawbacks connected with sand are caused by lower-quality varieties or those that “aren’t fit for purpose.”
The health of your fish may be in danger if you use construction sand, sand you dig up from the beach, or sand you take from a riverbank. Although you could use sand intended for sandboxes or pool filters, it would be wise to spend a little more money on some specifically for the purpose at hand.
The size of your aquarium and the sort of sand you use are two drawbacks you could encounter while utilizing sand. However, in general, high-quality aquarium sand is a nice substrate for a betta tank and is something you should think about.
Pros
- When compared to other varieties, it is a comparatively clean substrate due to the tighter sand particles. It is simple to vacuum by holding your siphon about an inch above the surface because debris typically sits on top of the sand rather than blending into it.
- The small, uniform size of grains makes them very appealing to the eye.
- If your Betta decides to look for food in the substrate, there are no sharp edges to damage his fins or gills.
- In the case that your Betta decides to scavenge in the substrate, aquarium sand doesn’t have any rough edges that might cut its fins or gills.
Cons
- When cleaning your aquarium, you should take special care to avoid kicking up too much sand from the bottom and sucking it out during a water change since sand tends to swirl and mix with the water. You’ll need to replace what is lost very frequently if you do that.
- In compacted sand, anaerobic pockets with harmful bacteria can form, producing gaseous hydrogen sulfide, which is toxic. To avoid this, stir your sand frequently. For the sake of your Betta’s well-being, replace your sand as soon as you notice it turning black.
- Some plants may struggle to spread their roots because sand tends to compress. You’ll need to anchor plants down with pebbles or another decor because sand is typically too light to hold new plants in place.
Suggested Sand Substrate
Gravel As A Substrate
When using gravel as a substrate, the most crucial thing to keep in mind is to keep any sharp edges away since they might grab and rip a betta fish’s delicate fins. Pea gravel, which is often pea-sized and has a smooth, rounded shape, is the ideal sort of gravel to select. You might perhaps accomplish most styles with this design because it comes in a range of colors and sizes.
Pros
- It is less likely for small pockets of anaerobic bacteria to produce harmful hydrogen sulfide because little gravel doesn’t clump securely together and allows water to pass through.
- Gravel vacuums are inexpensive and simple to use, so maintaining cleanliness is pretty simple, even though there are crevices in the gravel where food can fall through and decay.
- Gravel won’t cause issues since it won’t be sucked into filters because it’s often too heavy for your fish to stir up.
- Similar to sand, gravel is available in a wide range of hues that you can combine to create a unique aesthetic.
Cons
- Plants can grow a little bit better on gravel since it is less compact than sand. But on the other hand, if they are not secured correctly, you can discover that they float away.
- Sand works better than gravel to give your aquarium a more organic appearance.
- If the gravel is too fine, your fish might ingest it thinking it is food. This could cause serious medical issues.
- If you give live food, it may hide far more easily in pea gravel than in sand.
Suggested Gravel Substrates
Bare Bottom
While certain species do require a substrate, it is less crucial for betta fish because they aren’t genuine feeders. So long as they have enough greenery to bury themselves in and rest on, they’ll be OK.
Pros
- Your tank is considerably easier to clean, thanks to it. To remove fish and food waste, simply vacuum it up; there is no need to sift through sand or gravel.
- Completely eliminates the possibility that your betta will injure itself by ingesting sand or gravel (which is a very, very small risk anyway.)
- Water occupies as much area as possible in the tank. Because diluted trash is healthier for fish, the more water there is, the more there is to contaminate.
Cons
- Insufficient surface area for the growth of helpful microorganisms
- There is nothing for a betta to eat, although this is not a major concern because they are usually top dwellers.
- There is nothing for plants to root or attach into.
- Fish may become stressed by reflections and more so by transparent supports. To avoid visibility issues, place the tank on an opaque surface.
- In my opinion (yours may disagree! ), a bare bottom simply appears odd and less alluring than a sand or gravel bottom.
Is Gravel Good For Fish Tanks?
Certainly, a candidate is a gravel. It’s a great option as long as it’s smooth, pea-sized or slightly larger, and quite compact. Pea gravel is probably your best option if you’re unsure of the kind of gravel to purchase.
Can You Put Sand In A Betta Fish Tank?
I would stay away from using coral sand and only use aquarium sand if you choose to use sand in your betta’s tank. Furthermore, many people believe that they can use any sand or play sand. I would also steer clear of this. It frequently happens that certain of the components in the sand, especially play sand, might bring on a bloom of brown algae or support other microorganisms.
What Are Other Substrate Options For Betta?
You can use other substrates rather than just gravel or sand. It will make your aquarium unique and beautiful in its own way.
Marbles
There are so many various colors and designs of decorative aquarium marbles available. They provide countless chances to decorate your tank differently, which makes them quite popular with casual caretakers of betta fish. Marbles work well for tiny tanks and bowls (under 2 gallons) since a 100% water turnover makes it simple to clean them.
They aren’t ideal for bigger tanks, though, as food and trash get stuck between the marbles, and gravel vacuums are useless due to the marbles’ size, which prevents them from working.
Pros
- Attractive to the eye.
Cons
- Larger tanks are unsuitable because vacuums cannot effectively remove trapped particles from such tanks due to their size.
- Plant staking is not particularly effective.
- You’ll need to carry out regular, substantial water changes.
- Look unnatural; avoid it.
Rivers Stones
Simply put, river stones are rocks and pebbles that have been gathered from rivers. In addition to being available in a broad range of sizes and shapes, they may give a tank a natural appearance. To avoid tearing your fish’s delicate fins while using them in a betta aquarium, make sure they are not ragged and sharp.
If you buy river stones from a reputable fish store, they won’t be poisonous or change the PH levels in your tank. Nevertheless, not all stones are appropriate for a fish tank.
Stone Aggregrate
If you want a natural look and don’t want sand or gravel, this is your best option. It’s made up of sand, stones, and pebbles sourced from the great outdoors.
Pros
- Give a natural appearance.
- There are many different sizes and shapes to choose from.
- it is capable of supporting plants.
- Simple to clean and remove.
Cons
- Be mindful of any sharp or rough edges.
- Usually more costly than gravel or sand.
- Unfinished food may become lost in it.
Is Gravel Or Sand Better For An Aquarium?
The two most common substrates are gravel and sand, although there are more that you’ll learn about gradually. Which one will be most advantageous for your fish, then? In my opinion, the advantages of gravel greatly surpass those of sand. I utilize gravel. Additionally, it looks much nicer on top of all of that. Sand, on the other hand, won’t harm your fish if that’s what you like to use.
Conclusion
Sand and gravel are your two best options for the substrate of your aquarium. Gravel is advantageous because it attaches plants more readily and encourages the growth of beneficial microorganisms. Sand is also advantageous since it requires less maintenance and poses less risk of harming your fish.
You might also experiment with stone or no substrate. Avoid using stone and coral sand, as well as any substrate you’ve discovered in the wild. In addition to improving the tank’s appearance, aquarium substrate will help your betta feel more at home. By this point, it should be obvious how crucial a high-quality substrate is for your bettas and plants. However, it can be difficult and time-consuming to choose a suitable product.
FAQ
What Substrate Should I Use For My Betta Fish?
Owners of betta tanks typically choose a substrate comprised of aquarium dirt that is covered with gravel or sand. To enrich flora and fauna of your tank, it is excellent if your betta tank also contains aquarium plants.
Is The Color Of The Substrate Important?
Yes. When the substrate in their tank is vividly colored, bettas frequently become agitated. In their native environment, betta fish also occupy neutral and earthy-colored surfaces. In light of this, it is reasonable for them to favor neutral over bright substrates.
Do Betta Tank Need Substrate?
Of course, they are required. Betta fish enjoy aquariums with plants, but if you don’t have substrate, your plants won’t have anywhere else to anchor.
Without substrate, beneficial bacteria may find it difficult to grow, which will strain your filtration system more and perhaps lead to inferior water quality.
Building a betta tank requires a substrate because doing without can further harm the fish.
Is Sand Or Gravel Best For My Betta?
Both can be excellent options for betta tanks, but if you choose sand, be sure to swirl it gently every two weeks to avoid dead areas that could lead to hydrogen sulfide buildup.