Dark of light substrate
my friend gave me a 50 gallon tank that's already cycled, but doesn't have much substrate. I have a few question:
1) What are the advantages and disadvantages of using light and or dark substrate?
2) Should I just get some ugly substrate, and then buy some carpeting plant so that it will cover the every inch of the tank's bottom? Is there an advantage of doing this beside it looking really awesome?
Answers:1. Dark substrate will show off your fish's colors better, food that falls to the bottom will show up better, but fish waste won't show up very well. Light substrate will drain the color from your fish, fish waste will show up better, and that's all I can think of now.
2. I wouldn't recommend it because you'll need good lighting and CO2 fertilization to maintain that plant.
~ZTM
It really depends on the fish that you keep. You can always go for natural stone/gravel if in doubt with all else. If you have bright colorful fish, dark substrate usually does well to highlight their colors. If you opt for the light/white substrate then it lightens up the tank a bit more.
Personally i have both. I keep white crushed coral in my mbuna tank along with some dark rocks/stones because i suppose it resembles their natural habitats closer. Although black sand would've done well in highlighting the yellows and oranges in the fish. My kribensis tank has black substrate and you can really see the purples, blues and reds on it.