How Deep - Substrate?

[RaymondL]

What is the optimal depth for the substrate to be at? I'm hearing 1to 2 inches, and anything more than that is asking for trouble. Is this true? I'm thinking of a 1.5 inch sand bed at the moment.

Thanks

 

[Crustaceon]

It depends on what fish/inverts you're planning on keeping. You can have a 1/2" deep sand bed and be perfectly fine. I don't subscribe to the notion of their being an "optimal depth", otherwise everyone would do it and no one would run bare bottom systems.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

My tanks have between 4"-5" of sand, I don't think I'm asking for trouble lol

I'm not a fan of the sand being too shallow, cause then the fish can easily clear the sand to the glass.

My sandbed has little hills around the tank from the fish digging their caves, I like the uneven sandbed look, gives it a type of natural look