What kind of gravel should I use?

Question

Hello, I've had my aquarium for some time now and I want to change the gravel as it is starting to go a little manky. Could someone clarify for me if I should use a lighter or darker gravel to bring out the best colours out of my fish?

Many Thanks

Luigiboy

Answer 1

Darker gravel helps the fish to be more comfortable. In nature light color (sky) means up to a fish while darker colors (mud, rocks etc) mean down. Keeping this same color scheme in a tank helps to prevent problems and stress.

In my opinion darker colors usually help show case the colors of the fish as well.

MM

Answer 2

I would say black gravel with a little white thrown in. Or the more natural looking brown gravel. It costs a little more, but it looks really good. But I am a fan of natural looking aquariums. No wierd bright colors lol.

Answer 3

Art galleries use white or light colors to "Pop" the color of the art.

Even dull color fish look brighter and more colorful against a lighter back ground. Blues look bluer and reds more vibrant. White is made up of all colors while black is the absence of color. White or light color in a tank makes the tank seem "clean". It reflects light.

Dark colors take away from colorfull items (which is why galleries don't have black walls). They tend to make them Duller looking and the same goes in a tank the entire tank seems DIM and dull. Darker colors absorb light with little to no reflection of light in a tank.

Have you ever noticed how bright and clean looking a salt tank looks against the crushed white shells or light sand?

Personally I think white or lighter colors do more for color, black or dark colors remind me there should be a skull in it.

Either way it is a matter of what you prefer and what fits into your "space".

Answer 4

I like to stick to lighter colored gravel. Either crushed coral (for cichlids) I also like the river rock look. It's the lighting that really brings out the colors. Keep it natural looking

Answer 5

If i were you, i would mix 2 or 3 colors together it looks really beautiful, and if you are planing on breathing fish get brown or Grey. On the other hand if you don't want to breed fish, get a bright color like Orange.
Well good Luck

Answer 6

id go for black as already said , but you didnt mention an imp not you should buy round edge gravel pointy gravel may hurt bottom feeders and even resting fish while asleep.

Answer 7

depends on what kind of fish you're plannin to keep... keeping the colour of gravel same as that of the fish makes the fishes look better... for example sand base if you're keepin goldfishes, or blue coloured rocks if you wanna keep blue gouramis... keep experimenting with the colours

Answer 8

I would say the darker gravel because it wil intesify the fish's color.

Answer 9

What colors are your fish? You will want something that contrasts your fish's color.