How to Prepare and Add Substrate Like a Pro

As has been mentioned in a previous blog, substrates are an important element of any aquarium setup.

If you’ve picked which substrate to use, congratulations. You’re ready to proceed to the next step—preparing and adding them to your tank!

In this guide, we’ll share tried-and-true methods for preparing and adding substrate to your aquarium.

Preparing the substrate

Before adding substrate to your tank, there are two key steps: rinsing and adding nutrients.

Rinsing the Substrate

Just like fish and plants and other aquarium elements, you have to do some steps first before dropping the substrate into your tank.

First—and I can't emphasize this enough—rinse your substrate thoroughly before using them.

It's a bit of work, but it’s necessary. You'll remove dust and debris that could cloud your water or clog your filter.

Here's how to do it:

Colander Method:

• Pour small batches of substrate into a large colander.
• Run water through it, stirring with your hand.
• Keep rinsing until the water runs clear.

Bucket Method:

• Fill a bucket halfway with the substrate.
• Add water and stir vigorously.
• Pour off the cloudy water.
• Repeat until the water stays clear.

For larger quantities or super fine substances, I recommend the bucket method. It's faster and gets the job done more efficiently. These two methods will do just fine for smaller tanks.

Adding Nutrients

If you're using an inert substrate like plain gravel or sand, consider adding nutrients to support plant growth.

Some great options include:

• Substrate fertilizers: Mix these into your substrate before adding it to the tank.
• Root tabs: Push these into the substrate near plant roots after setup.

They're easy to use and provide a steady nutrient supply right where plants need it most.

Adding the Substrate

Now comes the fun part—getting that substrate into your tank. Let's talk about creating a slope and adding the right amount of substrate for your fish.

Creating a Substrate Slope

Try sloping your substrate. It looks great and helps with water flow. 

Here's a quick way to do it:

• Pile more substrate at the back of the tank.
• Gradually decrease the depth towards the front.
• Use rocks or driftwood to hold the slope in place.

I love how a sloped substrate adds depth to aquascapes. It helps you maximise the available space as well.

Adding the Substrate

How much substrate do you need? It depends on your tank inhabitants:

• For most fish: One to two inches is plenty.
• For planted tanks: Go deeper, about 2-3 inches.
• For heavy root feeders: You might need up to 4 inches.

To add substrate:

• Slowly pour it into the tank.
• Use a cup or your hand to spread it evenly.
• Smooth it out with a plastic card or your palm.

Remember, you can always add more later if needed. Start with less and build up—it's easier than removing excess.

Bottom-dwelling fish like Corydoras catfish or Kuhli loaches do well with sandy substrates.

With gravel, tetras and guppies thrive.

Plant-wise, Anubias and Java Fern work well with all (or no) substrates, while Cryptocorynes and Amazon Swords love nutrient-rich, deeper substrates.

Finishing Touches

Let's put the final polish on your aquarium floor.

If you have air bubbles trapped in your substrate, grab a siphon or kebab skewer and gently poke the substrate. This method releases those pesky air pockets.

Now, it’s time to top off the tank water.

Pour the water slowly over a plate or your hand to diffuse the flow. This diffused method keeps your carefully arranged substrate in place.

Take a step back and admire your work. You've just created your own aquarium floor. 

Takeaway

A well-prepared and correctly added substrate ensures a healthy and beautiful aquarium environment. Follow these tips to help get that flawless aquarium floor for your fish and plants.