Here is a really odd gravel / substrate question.....

So I have been looking at a lot of set ups lately and noticed that many of them have the sand, gravel or other substrate flat across the bottom. I always use to slope my gravel so it was higher at the back and sides and lower in the front and middle. It was very easy to vacuum that way as any "loose" debris always found it's way to the low spots in the front/middle.
This brings me to my question........

Is there any reasons (advantages/disadvantages) for doing it one way or another or is it all just personal preference?

Right now I have it sloped with terraces on each side but was thinking maybe I should level it off.

I'd be curious to know anyones thoughts, opinions, and preferences.

Thanks

 

Just personal preference really.

I tried the sloping styles, and it was more difficult to maintain the slopes.

Aesthetically, I think slopes look better, it adds another dimension to the display, but the maintanence outweighed the aesthetics for me.

 

I tryed sloping mine, but over time with the gravel vacs, it flattened out.

 

I kind of accidentally slopped the sand in my crayfish tank...and it has worked out pretty well. it hasn't flattened out too much...probably since you don't vacuum sand. I do stick a straw in it though, to remove any air pockets. other than that tank, I use decor to create depth in the others...

 

How often do these gas pockets need to be released?

 

I usually just stir up the sand when I do a water change

 

any really harmful gas pockets probably wouldn't occur for a long time...but it doesn't hurt to give it a stir when doing a water change. =]

 

any really harmful gas pockets probably wouldn't occur for a long time...but it doesn't hurt to give it a stir when doing a water change. =]

It's just convenient that way