|| "Cris" wrote in message
|| It reflected great deal of light back up to the plants. Yes,
||| there are drawbacks to this substrate (ie. possible anaerobic areas
||| and some fish don't color up as nicely).
|||
|| Could you please explain what you mean about the drawbacks. Thanks.

The drawbacks to sand as a substrate, is that it can compact and develop
areas of anaerobic activity, gasses, that will form to make a pocket of
toxic bubbles... gravel doesn't do this as much, because it's able to be
vacuumed, sand is tougher to vacuum.

Not sure about the coloring up part...

But MTS snails help immensely with keeping the sand from compacting. Plant
roots also help by releasing oxygen into the substrate. Just don't make your
sand very deep - no more than 3" unless you are growing plants that have huge
root systems (like the large swords).

As for the fish not coloring up - it's something that I've observed myself and
have heard from someone else. For the fish I guess it's a camouflage thing -
they are trying to blend in with the surroundings as much as they can. Not all
fishes will be so affected by the light substrate, just a couple kinds that
I've had. My Bolivian Rams do this more than anyone else.

Cris