what kind of substrate is ...?

[laz]

I have looked at some photos, and noticed some people have white stoned substrate? I went to my LFS, and was told that the white stuff won't be good, as a good deal is corals which will harden the water and increase PH? My LFS recommended me sand. But sand is dull.

what is the white stones that many people have in their discus tanks?

[Rick_May]

don't use coral, like the LFS said it will harden the water. While I recomend bare bottoms if you must have somethein use white play sand.

[John_Nicholson]

I agree with Rick....The best substrate is a single piece of glass that comes built in on all aquariums.....

-john

[Carol_Roberts]

LOL, I agree with john AND Rick ;D

[discuskrib]

most of my tanks are also bare bottoms because they are easier to clean.

if you really want a good white substrate with black peppering that is GREAT for growing plants in and very cheap go to your local farm supply/feed store and ask for "chicken grit". it is actually crushed quartz but it gets its nickname from the poultry farmers who use it to help their chickens and turkeys grind up their food.

"turkey grit" is good too, but larger in size. also be aware that crushed quartz can come in other colours than just white but the color will not be marked on the bag and you'll need to clean it very, very well before putting it in a tank (yes, the cloudiness will go away in a few days).

[slicksta]

Estes make a white gravel....I have some in an African tank mixed with some darker grey crushed coral..... very nice...
make sure you buy the one that says special white......they make a cheaper one that does not look as good and that the white epoxy peals off leaving yellow stones....

http://www.thatpetplace.com/cgi-bin/sgsh0101.exe?HKW=&SKW=-SCPROD&TKW=white+gravel&UID=2002052519563561