Substrate choices beyond the conventional ones?

[Scorpion]

Is there anything that can be used as substrate in an aquarium aside from the conventional choices? Gravel can be swallowed by both my animals, leading to impaction. Sand is messy. Maybe big rocks... but not sure I like the look of them.

 

[CJ1981]

I've seen people use slate or terracotta tiles and I know people have used that astroturf stuff that green grocers use in their displays.

 

[AeonMapa]

What about clay or soaked soil?

 

[taherman]

Substrate for what species? Aquatic, terrestrial, semiaquatic? Those are important considerations.

 

[Scorpion]

Aquatic. Axolotls, ACFs, etc. Things that require substrate they either can't swallow, or will pass through their digestive system without harming them. I was kind of hoping someone would know of a substrate that could be easily taken out and cleaned when need be, but still look nice. It doesn't have to look natural.

 

[ChristianV]

Reptile Carpet. (You don't really need any substrate) :kill: :UFO:

 

[Jan]

If you haven't already seen it, have a look at this article from our Caudata Culture site to see if anything may suit you:

Caudata Culture Articles - Aquarium Substrates

And here are some photos of aquatic set-ups that use the various substrates:

Caudata Culture Articles - Setups, Aquatic

 

[Scorpion]

Thanks, Jan. And reptile carpet can be used in aquatic set-ups?

 

[otolith]

Like CJ1981 said, slate tiles are a good option. You can also use glass tupperware containers as planters and have an extremely easy to clean set up. Large rocks aren't a great option since detritus and waste will build up in the cracks and potentially cause water quality issues.

I am also a fan of the black substrate made by fluval for shrimp tanks. Plant growth is excellent and animals kept on it really color up.

 

[Jan]

Thanks, Jan. And reptile carpet can be used in aquatic set-ups?

I would not use reptile carpet. The ones I've looked at are impregnated with a biodegradable enzyme that is intended to 'reduce reptile odors'. Safe - who knows. I am a firm believer in being safe rather than sorry. I would recommend staying with the 'tried and true' substrates.

 

[Gia]

I use Eco reptile carpet with no additives and it works well. You just have to put some rocks in the corners so it does not float. The axies can grip it and eat off it without ingesting any sand or gravel. The sand always left me paranoid.

Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk

 

[Scorpion]

Honestly, I'm thinking slate is the most appealing option so far

 

[geron]

I saw a post on here where a woman from japan printed out custom pictures of bottom and background and stuck them on the bottom and back of her aquariums. They were bare bottom so you could see the cool designs on the printed image. I thought it was cool looking haha.

 

[geron]

http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...e-have-different-way-keep-axolotls-china.html

Derp it was China not Japan >.<;

 

[Scorpion]

Wow. That was a great post. I like that idea. Still, I need an actual substrate, and slate seems best. The more I think about it, the more I like it.

 

[Jennewt]

I've noticed that the Reptile Carpet they sell these days says specifically that it shouldn't be used for amphibians.

I have a couple of tanks with slate, and I like that a lot. I also have several tanks where I covered the bottom of the tank with brown-colored aquarium silicone, embedded with gravel, and I like these a lot too.

 

[Scorpion]

Woah. I never even thought of doing that silicone and gravel thing, even though my dad's done something similar for a turtle island. Hmm...