Substrates

Substrate is the material you place at the bottom of your aquarium. It makes your tank look more natural, helps bring out the colors of your fish, and can even provide nutrients for plant growth. If you’re aiming for a lush planted tank, choose a nutrient-rich substrate, and you can always top it with a layer of sand or finer gravel to enhance the look. Sloping it slightly towards the back also creates a greater sense of depth in your aquascape. There are lots of types to pick from—sand, gravel or specialized planted-tank soils. The choice depends on both your plants and your fish. Bottom-dwellers like corydoras or loaches do best with soft sand, while gravel works well in general community tanks. As a rough guide, aim for 2–3 inches of substrate so plants with deeper roots have space to anchor and grow.