I prefer a bare bottom but what I have done is targetted my filter outlets so I get a nice dead spot where all the poop collects so makes it much easier to clean up

Gravel for me ...don't like the slimy film ya get from bear bottoms, even have some sand at least in my fry savers..

This is very interesting, i have the same problem with a one or two fry dying every day which bums me out a bit because my water quality is really good and stable but i have no substrate for cleaning. Should i put a thin layer of gravel in?

its your call, this thread has just detailed the pros and cons of having gravel.

i use a bit of gravel but thats just me.

This info is priceless so glad i joined this forum

Have been wondering about gravel and sand and the slim you get from bare bottem tanks so glad i read this post it has really enlightened me.....i to wish i'd found this info months and months ago.

Cheers

Lee.

Just came across this topic, and I am surprised how many of you had problems with BBTs.

Over a year now I use BBT for my L144s without any problem. Not to mention "bottom slime".

I use 5, 20, 42 and 92 litre tanks for them and no slime, no mortality whatsoever.
As I do not have a turkey blaster, I "employ" a group of Corydoras pygmy (for small ones) and C. trilineatus (for above 4 cm).