Contents
- 1 Overview
- 2 What Is Substrate For Betta Fish?
- 3 Best Substrate For Betta | Top 8 Picks
- 3.1 1) Eheim Substrate Pro Biological Filter Media
- 3.2 Pros & Cons
- 3.3 2) GloFish Aquarium Gravel
- 3.4 Pros & Cons
- 3.5 3) CaribSea Black Aquarium Substrate
- 3.6 Pros & Cons
- 3.7 4) Spectrastone Special White Aquarium Gravel
- 3.8 Pros & Cons
- 3.9 5) Marina Decorative Gravel
- 3.10 Pros & Cons
- 3.11 6) Pure Water Pebbles Aquarium Gravel
- 3.12 Pros & Cons
- 3.13 7) SACKORANGE 2lb Aquarium Gravel River Rock
- 3.14 Pros & Cons
- 3.15 8) Seachem Flourite Onyx Sand Substrate
- 3.16 Pros & Cons
- 4 Considerations Before Buying Substrate For Your Betta
- 5 Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
- 6 Conclusion
Overview
Every organism needs a layer or a base on which they grow properly and very well. All they need to have a product on which they remain comfortable.
Substrate basically is a layer or a base that is necessary for every living organism. Substrates maintain the chemistry of things like water.
On the other hand, substrates are that layer on which enzymes react and create a new product that is useful for the living organism.
Substrates are very important for the life of an organism especially for aquarium plants or other organisms.
What Is Substrate For Betta Fish?
Basically, the substrate for a betta is a product that helps to break down the particles of the fish and convert it into food for plants.
Substrates are used in the tanks of the fishes to maintain the chemistry and pH of water.
It is also used for the growth of micro plants that are necessary for the fishes and for their living environment.
There are many types of substrates used in the tanks of fishes.
- Sand Substrate
- Gravel Substrate
Sand substrates are the best option for the substrate for betta because sand filters the water more effectively.
On the other hand, the food lies on the layer of the sand and the fish can easily eat the food.
Sand is also good for the roots of aquarium plants and plants can easily grow in the sand which is good for the betta.
Related Post: WHY IS MY BETTA FISH NOT EATING? [REASONS]
Gravel substrates are also used as a substrate for betta because these give a natural look.
These substrates for betta look very unique and are available in different colors.
Gravels rapidly convert the waste into food for the plants and these are easy to clean with no effort.
Gravels are known as the best substrate for betta because they are very smooth and not harmful to the betta.
Other Types Of Substrates
Many of the other substrates are also used as the substrate for bettas like marbles and marble chippings.
But these are not too good for the fishes because marbles have sharp edges which is harmful to the fishes.
Marble chippings are also the soil due to which plants float in the water and the sand also makes the water dirty.
Marbles have many colors and are only used for the decor of the tank. You can also use a mixture of substrate for betta.
You can add a bottom layer of sand, the middle layer of marbles, and the top layer of gravel.
It is a very unique combination and creates a comfortable environment for the fish and proves the best substrate for betta.
Best Substrate For Betta | Top 8 Picks
1) Eheim Substrate Pro Biological Filter Media
Review: The Eheim Substrat Pro Biological Filter Media is specially made to better flow of water with more penetration of bacterial colonies.
The media has 1 to 3 months to be usable with only wash. It is made up of glass that looks very unique.
It provides more time periods between the required maintenance of the water. Only one pack is enough for an 1800 sq ft area. These substrates do not have any sharp edges, so these are good for your fishes.
2) GloFish Aquarium Gravel
Review: This is one of the best color substrates for betta fish and it is made to place in the blue lighting because under the blue lights it gives great highlights and looks very decent for the water tank of fish.
It completes your fish environment and complements your fish. The 5-pound bag is enough to use in a 2.5-liter water tank.
Rinse very well before use. These small substrates are good for the fish and are not harmful for the fish.
3) CaribSea Black Aquarium Substrate
Review: The CaribSea Eco Substrate is one of the best aquarium substrates for betta because it converts the fish waste into food for plants rapidly.
There are no artificial chemicals and dyes are used and it is made up of 100% natural materials.
You can easily use it in a big water tank and if you have a small water tank then you use it three to four times. It really works and shows results within 2 to 3 days.
4) Spectrastone Special White Aquarium Gravel
Review: This special white aquarium gravel is a natural betta substrate because it gives a natural look to the tank.
The materials that are used in making are not harmful and do not have any toxic agents. It doesn’t affect the pH of the water, it remains the same.
The pieces are small due to which it gives a more natural environment and does not disturb the place of the fish.
5) Marina Decorative Gravel
Review: Another best substrate for betta tank is the Marina decorative gravel which is also good decor because the blue color looks very unique in the water.
It is very good in only freshwater aquariums. It also has the ability to hold plants in the water and is not toxic for the plants.
You can also use it as a decor for the betta’s tank because it is also available in a variety of colors.
6) Pure Water Pebbles Aquarium Gravel
Review: By using these gravels you can decorate the bottom of the water tank. It is made up of 100% natural material which is not harmful to your betta.
It has no toxic agent hence, the chemistry of the water remains the same. It is good gravel for the freshwater aquarium as well as in ponds.
The size of the pebbles is small which does not hurt the fish. The color of the pebbles gives a natural look to the water of the tank. You can also use it in crafting and hobbies.
7) SACKORANGE 2lb Aquarium Gravel River Rock
Review: These natural polished stones have no sharp edges, so you can easily move on it and also are not harmful to fishes.
It is made up of a combination of different colors like brown, black, grey, and white for a natural look.
These are also used as good decor and you can also do many more with these stones.
The size is according to the need of the fish and the shapes are too unique. Every stone has a different shape which looks pretty good.
8) Seachem Flourite Onyx Sand Substrate
Review: This best betta substrate is a very good betta substrate because it gives a natural look and is very smooth.
This is good for the plants in the water because it filters the water and makes the food for plants from the fish’s waste.
It has a good penetration of water for bacterial colonization and for the growth of plants.
Before adding it into the tank wash it well because a layer of powder is on it. Overall, it is a great product.
Considerations Before Buying Substrate For Your Betta
The things that are included before buying a substrate for a betta.
- Planted Or Unplanted
- Chemicals
- Size Of The Tank
Planted Or Unplanted
First of all, you should ask questions from yourself before buying a substrate for a betta that you need plants in the tank or not.
If you need plants for your betta then you should use a substrate that holds the plants and is good for the growth of plants.
If you do not want to have plants in the tank of betta then you buy that substrate that prevents bacteria from growing plants.
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Have Any Toxic Agent
The other thing that you should watch before buying a substrate which is the toxic agent.
Many of the shopkeepers tell that the substrate has no toxic agent but when you use it your fish dies.
So, you should have the ability to know about the toxic material, so that the agent does not harm the fish.
Size Of The Tank
You should buy the substrate according to the size of the tank because the water capacity matters a lot.
If you have a small water tank then you need a smaller amount of substrate in the tank.
And if you have a big tank then you need a large amount of substrate in the tank.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
Can I use sand substrate for betta?
Yes, if you want more plants in the tank of your betta fish then you should buy a sand substrate because it is good for the growth of the plants.
What color gravel is best for the betta fish?
The dark colors like red, orange and pink are the best colors for the betta fish because these colors are more attractive.
Can you put pebbles in a betta fish tank?
Yes, if you want to have a natural look in the tank then you can add the pebbles but only which pebbles that are smooth and have no sharp edges.
Are bare bottom tanks better?
Some of the fishes do not want to have any other thing in the tank so you do not add anything in the tank but if you need the growth of plants then you should add some substrate in the water that kills the extra bacterias.
What is best for the bottom of a fish tank?
The gravels are the best option for the bottom of the fish tank because these convert waste into food for plants rapidly and these are easy to clean.
Conclusion
In this latest post of Your Aquarium Guide, we lined up the best substrates for betta along with their pros and cons as well as a brief note on the different substrates only for your help.
The spectra stone is the best substrate for betta fish because it has all those things which are good as a substrate.
Otherwise, it’s on your choice which one is the best. Our purpose is just to give you the right products for your aquarium pets.
The experts of Your Aquarium Guide hope that this article is helpful for you and then you can easily buy the best substrate for your betta fish.