gravel color choice and water circulation

[breaktime]

I have a couple questions regarding  gravel for the bottom of the tank and water circulation. I plan on using LED lighting for my tank, as for a color choice for gravel what would show the fish off the best. My wife wants purple but I'm not sure how well that well work for the bottom dwellers being seen. If the color choice is just preference then purple it is.

 My tank size is 72x18x22, I'm concerned about the heaters getting enough circulation if I choose in tank heaters. With the filter canister having only one port for the return water, would that be enough to move the water around the tank and heaters? Your inputs are much appreciated. Thank you all in advance.

[four_by_ken]

I like natural color gravel so I'm not the best one to ask as far as goofy colors .

I personally wouldn't worry about water circulation with a heater.  A properly sized heater should heat the whole tank not just one spot .

[four_by_ken]

With larger tanks I like to use multiple heaters.  Better just in case of failure , and then you don't have to spend the big bucks on a huge wattage heater.

[Marty]

I wouldn't go with an unnatural colored substrate, it will take away from the focal point of the aquarium, which should be your fish.

You want a filter that is rated for more than your size tank.  If you're close, I'd go with a larger size.

Separate your intake and output, and that will help with water flow.

[Cat(fish)lady]

I have a 135. Approx the same size. I have 2 heaters, 2 filters.. a Rena xp3 canister with the inlet on one end and outlet on the opposite end, as well as an AC 110. I get great circulation.

I also prefer natural substrate. I have sand. You could do that or neutral gravel. Depending on what color variety of fish you have, black might work well to offset your fish but still wouldn't take the focus off of them.

[RichE]

another thing you could add is a powerhead at the opposite end from you filter intake/heater and this would give you ever water movement.

As for the substrate color, i agree with ken go natural like pea gravel or sand.

If you are going to have bright colored colored fish you can always paint the back of the tank a dark blue or black and this would help show off there colors.

[four_by_ken]

I'm also a firm believer of over filtration, especially with Cichlids.

[jcunningham0295]

If you are going to use gravel I would go natural.  As far as my 125's, each one has two emperor 400's, two 300 watt ebo jager heaters, and a 1200 or 1500 gph wavemaker.

[Ogre44]

If you plan on any bottom-dwelling fish such as corydoras catfish or loaches I would recommend sand over gravel as they can be injured and pick up infections due to sharp edges.

[Steve]

I gotta agree with the other guys. Go with sand and something in more of a natural white/tan color. Brightly colored gravel just takes away from the beauty of the fish IMO.

[linuxrulesusa]

Some hate sand but you can get 50lb bags of nice heavy pool filter sand/#20 grit sand from Home Depot for $10 a bag or less.  It's another cheap substrate option

[four_by_ken]

Injured by gravel

 

What kind of gravel do you use ?

[four_by_ken]

For my 140 gallon and my 150 gallon I use the following on each...

(2) AquaClear 110s
(1) G6 canister

[Ogre44]

The barbels on small cats are extremely sensitive to damage, and with the amount of mulm that can build up in gravel without meticulous care it's extremely easy for them to pick up infections and lose their barbels.
Loaches are also scaleless and many like to bury themselves in substrate, as with the cats close association with tank gravel can lead to abrasions and infections.
Sand is a more natural substrate for these fish and will lead to better health and more natural behaviors.

[RichE]

For my 140 gallon and my 150 gallon I use the following on each...

(2) AquaClear 110s
(1) G6 canister

How do you like the g6? I have only seen a picture and never heard any first hand experience.

I also run 2 ac 110's on my 125 and a magnum 350 canister