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I want to change my gravel, (right now I have a sand colored gravel) I want to use black gravel, has anyone use black gravel? How did your tank looked?

Black gravel is what I usually use when wanting to bring a definite contrast between the fish's coloration and their environment. I find that for example this color works very good when cardinal tetras seem to be present to highlight their beautiful neon color scheme. If you enjoy the more natural approach as many members here do, I would consider keeping the substrate you already have.

Geosystem has a natural black gravel, it is recommended for african tanks, barb tanks, some cichlid tanks. It looks nice and natural (because it is) and provides a nice contrast to fish and plants. I have seen it available at my lfs, and in the chain stores as well, like Superpet, & PJ's. They have driftwood and rocks and a chart with all kinds of recommendations for beatiful natural looking tanks!

"If you're afraid you'll make a mistake, you won't make anything."
-Family Circus

While I've never used black gravel (should I just shush up now ? ) I do want to give a warning about black in tanks.

Consider your tank and the room it's in carefully before switching the gravel. I have a 30 gallon at the office that has playsand as a substrate and a black background. One would think that it would be very dramatic, but in this case the black background makes the tank look way too dark as the room lights are brighter than the tank lights.
Just something to think about. Also keep in mind that darker fish will melt into the substrate more. Good for cardinals bad for black neons.

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I have never used any other substrate other than natural coulous. I have seen some black tanks they have either looked very good or just totally hopeless.

It will all depend on the rest of the tank and certainly your knowledge of aquscaping.

Have a look in [link=My Profile]http://
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Keith

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In my experience, the use of both black gravel and a black backdrop brings out the color vividly in many fish who look disappointingly bland against a light-colored background -- and that INCLUDES Black Neons, as well as Glowlight Tetras and Harlequin and Hengeli Rasboras. The one thing I definitely wouldn't recommend it for is transparent fish, such as Glass Catfish.

I have used black gravel before. I thought it was WAAAY too dark. So I added other colors

-Josh

I used EcoComplete in my tank. It is a very good substrate for plants and has the advantage that is does not need to be rinsed as it comes "wet". You can see the results here and at http://fishprofiles.com/files/forums/Planted%20Aquaria/66965.html.

Bob Wesolowski attached this image:
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I think that a lighter background to the tank helps to overcome some of the substrate darkness that JMara objects to.



Last edited by Bob Wesolowski at 20-Dec-2005 01:15

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright

I don't necessarily object. My biggest problem with my black substrate was that I had a somewhat dark background. I just mixed a little white and red into the substrate and it looked find after that. Just a little something to lighten it up

-Josh

guys, will it be nice if i change my natural coloured gravel(reddish) to black gravel with clown loaches in there?thx in advance for any replies.

I think that it will highlight your clown loaches.

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright

Hi,
Actually during our last aquascaping contest we had
and entry that used black gravel and, as I recall, a
black background. It was well lit to offset the darkness
that low lighting would cause and I thought it was an
excellent tank. The way it was aquascaped and planted
made it look like a surealist painting. I loved the look.
Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

I did the same thing, switched from natural to black. I love it

Loaches on black gravel:



harley rasboras with black gravel:



Full tank, w/ black gravel:




Anyway, those are just some examples. I think it brings out the color in certain fish, in others it might make them more invisable. Good luck![/font][/font][/font]

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Back in the saddle!

Thanks for all the responses. I think I am going to change the gravel.