Best gravel for Rainbows

[Balance]

My wife and I have a new 75 Gallon tank arriving this week and we are planning on stocking it primarily with Rainbow fish.

*celebrate

I was wondering if anyone had experience/suggestions as to what type and color of gravel would help the rainbows to show the best colors possible.

thanks!

 

[Angelfish]

Ive never thought about matching gravel with fish but I gotta say I LOVE RAINBOW FISH!! Exellant choice you have there, Id love to see any pics you have once its up and running =)

 

[Balance]

I'm getting the tank on tuesday. hoping to have it cycling by the weekend.

I know that gravel (and the presence of plants) can make a real difference in what colors your fish display......

i was thinking about going with more natural river rock, or just some plain whites and grays.

 

[Mao]

well, I have 2 red and white fantails, and I added 2 bags of orange stones to my 1 bag of blue stones in the tank. Now I have the most orange tank ever, but it looks awesome! It does make my goldfish Mao and Frank look less red and more gold.

Isaac

 

[Leopardess]

Well, you might want to try a darker brown or blackish substrate. That will show off the color of the fish, by contrast, and might make the fish more comfortable. Light colored substrates can stress a fish out because they feel exposed over light gravel. When they feel most comfortable, they will be the most colorful.

 

[chompchompdie]

i'm using black gravel in a heavily planted tank with rainbows... the black gravel really brings out their colours wonderfully. highly reccomended

 

[Balance]

i think i might go with a mix of white rock and brownish river rocks.

i guess i'm hoping that the rainbows will appreciate a tank more closely resembling their natural setting!

 

[Scrumpy]

I have a very dark charcoal coloured gravel in my tanks which I got primarily to make the cardinals feel at home, but which makes my Bosemani rainbow fish look gorgeous. I'd definitely go with dark gravel, and concentrate more on getting the lighting right. For instance, Sunglo's make them look awful.