Substrate or bare!!

[Madhouse]

Hi all

Have recently set up my aquarium (it’s my first freshwater one) and currently don’t have any substrate. I’d prefer to stay bare bottomed but am wanting a loach or three and I know they like to root about in the substrate for food.

So my question is do I have to have a substrate of sorts if I get a loach and if so could I use slate from my garden if I wash/scrub (and maybe bake) it beforehand?

Thanks in advance

PS please be gentle with me!!

 

[Delapool]

Hi, you could go bare-bottom if you want. On positive side much easier to clean and loaches will find something to do in a group. Negative is the look and light reflection possibly.