Dark vs Light substrate?

**vratenza** · 31st Jan 2006, 11:50

Hi! I am in the process of setting up my planted tank..... intending to put black oyama backing.

I am just wondering whether a darker gravel or light gravel will make the scaping look more outstanding?

Seen some scaping done with pure white fine sand and some done in dark/black gravel..... some in the middle with lapis like mixed brownish gravels........

Wondering is there any other considerations given to choosing the various coloured gravels/sands?

Thanks!

**benny** · 31st Jan 2006, 11:53

If your aquascape is very densely planted (e.g. 100%), then the choice of color for substrate will not be a significant factor.

If you planed for some open area, then consider what will look natural at the end of the day.

Cheers,

**|squee|** · 31st Jan 2006, 15:24

I'd go for dark gravel, but not pure black as it looks weird. White/very light brown sand is used exclusively for foregrounds only, it's an Amano technique.

**vratenza** · 31st Jan 2006, 16:49

Originally Posted by |squee|

I'd go for dark gravel, but not pure black as it looks weird. White/very light brown sand is used exclusively for foregrounds only, it's an Amano technique.

Do you have some dark gravel to recommend? I am leaning towards darker gravel also....i find the lapis sand a tad light to accentuate the greenary of the aquatic plants.....

**|squee|** · 31st Jan 2006, 20:17

ADA Aquasoil Amazonia comes to mind. Seachem's Onyx sand might be a little too uniformly dark, but Onyx doesn't break down over time.

**benny** · 31st Jan 2006, 20:41

I'm using Dennerle's brown gravel. They come in 5 colors (Emerald Green, Diamond Black, Slate Grey, Light Brown and Brown) and you can consider mixing light brown and brown together for a slightly more varied look. They come in 2, 5 and 10 kg pack and can be found in most of the shops.

Cheers,

**bclee** · 1st Feb 2006, 10:44

Originally Posted by |squee|

ADA Aquasoil Amazonia comes to mind. Seachem's Onyx sand might be a little too uniformly dark, but Onyx doesn't break down over time.

Errr... ADA will be more "uniformly dark" compared to Onyx. Onyx grains are a mixture greyish and whitish grains.

BC

**vratenza** · 1st Feb 2006, 18:31

Erm anyone with pictures of their tank setup using either ADA Aquasoil Amazonian, Seachem Onyx or Dennerle gravel please post here!

I will like to see the gravels in action to better visualise the effect in a tank rather than imagine from a bag of stuff....

**benny** · 1st Feb 2006, 18:53

Originally Posted by vratenza

Erm anyone with pictures of their tank setup using either ADA Aquasoil Amazonian, Seachem Onyx or Dennerle gravel please post here!

I will like to see the gravels in action to better visualise the effect in a tank rather than imagine from a bag of stuff....

Might be better to check the AQ tank gallery.

Anway, here's one with Dennerle brown gravel. Very uniform when you first set it up.

Cheers,