Best substrate

[ImBettaThanCool]

Which substrate is better? Gravel or sand? I want to rescape my fluval chi a little bit and change up the current substrate i have. I narrowed it down to two choices. Black sand or black gravel. Now I know that gravel has the benefit of being able to grow beneficial bacteria (right?) but does sand have that ability too?

 

[Mebbid]

The ability of the substrate to grow beneficial bacteria is for the most part meaningless. A filter is more than sufficient to handle the nitrifying bacteria.

Personally, I find sand to be much easier to clean than gravel as well as easier to grow live plants in.

Go with what you think looks best, in the long run that's all that matters.