Some Thoughts on Aquarium Substrate

Pea Gravel Substrate Outdoors In A Media Mix Pan

Yes, pea gravel will work. I have used it, and there is a local fish store in my area that uses it exclusively. It usually has lots of dust mixed in, and I find it challenging to wash. Nowadays, I don't rinse it. The rock dust will settle to the bottom of the tank or get taken out by filters. It is a bit hard to get plants to stay down until they get some good root growth.

I have also used Black Diamond blasting grit. It works great, but it is nasty right out of the bag and, you will need to wash it first. I have had it in an aquarium with a bunch of cories for several years, and despite what the internet will tell you, they have not ground their barbles off. I have watched them bury their nose in it up to their eyes. It would be best if you looked for the coarser grit size.

I also use pool filter sand. I'm not crazy about the color I can get here, but it works well, and it's cheap. The price is reasonable enough that when I reset an aquarium, I use new sand. My plants seem to love it, and I don't wash it.

Colored aquarium gravel is expensive, and the lower cost gravel will slowly lose it a coating. I have used several brands over the years. The only ones I liked were the natural colored gravels and some made from what looked like black glass. I can't find the glass gravel sold anywhere. It was smooth with no sharp edges, was easy to clean, and my plants grow well in filter sand.

I have never used any of the fancy substrates that are made for plants and probably never will. My plants do just fine without them.

I have used dirt; it grows plants like crazy, but it can be messy. I love my cories, but they like to dig, and sooner or later, they will get through the top layer of sand and into the dirt. Forget bristle nose or any fish that likes to dig. They will keep the soil stirred up and clog the filters until the filters remove all the dirt.