A Question Of Substrate

[harrellmoney]

I'm have an idea for the substrate on my 90 gal tank, and would like some input before I do anything. This is my first tank and I'm going at a snails pace to do it right the first time, (fingers crossed).

My idea is to put my lava rocks on one side, then go to small gravel ( with a few rocks and plants) in the middle, and then sand ( with a lot of plants) on the other end.

Will fish that like a sandy bottom stay on the sandy end only, or will they still wander the whole tank ? The same question for fish that like rocks. I figure that leaving the middle mostly open will allow plenty of room for open swimming and " mingling".

Also, the guy I got the tank from, had a plastic grid (kinda like a vent cover), under the substrate on his other tank. He told me that would help protect the bottom glass on the tank if I was going to add big rocks. I forgot to ask where he got it, and hope someone here might know what it's called and maybe where to get it.

Thanks for any answers and help you can give.

[genocidex]

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...&storeId=10051

thats the plastic thing right? its called egg crate, also ime the fish stay on sand areas. i helped set my mom's bf up with a half gravel half sand 55g and every fish stayed strictly on the sand side....

the lava rock would cause areas where waste will settle you will need to clean it often.

another thing to consider is the substrates will mix unless you have a divider in the substrate

[harrellmoney]

Yep ! That's the plastic stuff. Thanks.

I'm glad I asked about the fish staying where they're comfort zone is. Thanks for that input as well.

[wijnands]

I'm have an idea for the substrate on my 90 gal tank, and would like some input before I do anything. This is my first tank and I'm going at a snails pace to do it right the first time, (fingers crossed).

My idea is to put my lava rocks on one side, then go to small gravel ( with a few rocks and plants) in the middle, and then sand ( with a lot of plants) on the other end.

Will fish that like a sandy bottom stay on the sandy end only, or will they still wander the whole tank ? The same question for fish that like rocks. I figure that leaving the middle mostly open will allow plenty of room for open swimming and " mingling".

Lava rocks.. I really, really wouldn't. These things retain dirt like you wouldn't believe. I'd only do these if I planned on a mossy, java-ferny jungle.

Sand sifters will "hunt" there but will also investigate the rest of the tank.

[luv2sk8te17]

fish will wonder the whole tank, but get ready for some maintenance with the lava rock. it will look awesome im sure but not very maintenance free.

[Cory Catfish]

Lava rock is not good for bottom feeders. It will scratch fish, and also cories, otos, and sucker fish will scratch their mouths on it.

I agree with the users that say lava rock is hard to clean. I would go with a different type of rock, like granite.