Marbles

[jlindseyjr]

Can plain old glass marbles be used as a substrate and has anyone here done it?

 

[Killer_Instinct]

Yes I have and it works

 

[ferret]

It can be done, but is not the best substrate. Its mainly used to help breeding, because the fry/eggs can fall between them and be safe from being eaten.

 

[Killer_Instinct]

Substate?

 

[ferret]

Obviously a typo. Substrate.

 

[jlindseyjr]

I plan to keep some platies as soon as I get setup and I was thinking of the eventual fry. I was also thinking of keeping 3 yoyo's and thought something that smooth would be easier on the barbels. What are the disadvantages?

 

[ferret]

They don't provide anything for fish that like to dig or root around in the substrate. Fish that like sandy bottoms and such would not be a good idea in such a tank.

 

[Killer_Instinct]

Substrate??

 

[jlindseyjr]

Thanks, ferret.

 

[ferret]

Substrate??

Do you not know what this is? I don't understand why you answered the original question if you didn't. The substrate is the gravel/dirt/sand in the bottom of your tank.

 

[Killer_Instinct]

I knew what he was talking With the marbles at the bottom but not substrate okay?

 

[jlindseyjr]

He left.

 

[Killer_Instinct]

okay

 

[Killer_Instinct]

HELLO??

 

[ferret]

Hey man.. I know you want responses to your posts and activity on the board, but that's what it is, a board. If you want some real time converstation, try the chat link at the top of the page.

 

[fishfreek]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.

substrate

SYLLABICATION: sub·strate
PRONUNCIATION: sbstrt
NOUN: 1. The material or substance on which an enzyme acts. 2. Biology A surface on which an organism grows or is attached. 3. An underlying layer; a substratum. 4. Linguistics An indigenous language that contributes features to the language of an invading people who impose their language on the indigenous population.

Specifcly the bold part.

 

[butterfly]

Marbles are reccomended in breeding tanks of eggscatters such as Danios. The eggs fall between the marbles and mommy and daddy fish can't eat them.

 

[Fruitbat]

Actually...one of the biggest problems with using marbles is that it leaves a LOT of space for uneaten food and fish waste to settle into....unfortunately out of the reach of most bottom-feeders.

Marbles are GREAT for temporary breeding tanks housing egg-scatterers like Danios and Barbs.

 

[TankGirl]

A substrate comprised entirely of marbles is very difficult to maintain, and does not provide the surface area that helps the biofilter in the way that irregularly shaped gravel does. Quite a bit of debris gets trapped and it is hard to get it out. Nothing horrible will happen, but I recommend against using it, just from having tried it in my early fishkeeping days (bright colored marbles with goldfish looked really cool!) and having water quality problems as a result.

 

[RogerMcAllen]

In my experience they make a poor substrate as food can often fall under them and sit uneaten. You will have to make sure to vacuum well.