Sorry to keep bothering you

[LostFisher]

I have a petco 20 miles away (closest store a 3 hour radius)

Petco (http://www.petco.com/Productlisting.asp?tab=3&c1=1038&ct1=D%E9cor&c2=1042&ct2=Gravel&Dept_ID=1042)

I am looking at this page and I still do not have a clue what I should buy to put down on my aquarium. I want to grow easy plants and make sure the few fish I have are comfortable, so I am guessing dark colors. So of these what would you buy?

Oh its for a 7 gallon tank, so how much of what also hehe.

Thanks again

The super lost fisher

[djlen]

Lost, are you going there to buy this gravel or ordering it online?
Color is a personal choice. I like a natural looking color.
For plants you want something that's relatively fine grained, but not as fine as sand which has a tendency to compact over time.
You could get away with 10lbs. for a 7 gal., but I'd go more for 15lbs., then you can slope it deeper in the back, down to less than an inch in the front. It'll give the tank a feeling of depth.
What is your lighting(watts.) like?
Len

[cpr4cpu]

how about flourite? Good iron source for plants, never needs replacing... BigAl's Online is a good place to buy, but shipping won't be cheap.

I like flourite with Estes "Bits of Walnut" gravel. I also just started a new tank with something called Eco-Complete Plant Substrate (for a Discus/tetra tank). It's black, and seems to be pretty rich in plant nutrients.

If you are forced to shop with Petco, they carry Estes epoxy coated gravel, consider the nutmeg pebbles (as small as you can get, 3mm to 5mm if you want live plants). If you plan on "root feeder" types of plants, add some root tabs, or other additive. Laterite is messy, must be replaced annually, and if exposed to the water column can cause hair algae problems so I prefer a root tab pushed deep under the roots of my swords and cryptocorynes.

In a 7 gallon tank, with low light (standard bulbs that come with it) you might be best to start with anacharis as your first plant.

[LostFisher]

I found a place that sells sand, could I mix that with some gravel and put that down as a first layer. Then put another shallow layer of loose gravel on top of that? Or should I purchase some flourite from Big Al's. With the flourite should I just put that down or perhaps put some down and put some gravel on top?

Thanks

Lost Fisher

[djlen]

Flourite works great all by itself. I personally like the color as well but you can get it in red as well as the brown color.
And you only need one bag for a 7 gal. It's Iron rich, will last practically forever and the consistency of it is ideal for plants.
Len

[LostFisher]

Thanks for the reply, that settles it then I need to get some flourite!

Thank you.

LF

[djlen]

Hey Lost......good choice......just make sure when you get it to WASH IT WELL. It's very dusty and will make the tank look like coffee.......very, very deep dark coffee, unless you wash the heck out of it before you put it into the tank.
And even with the thorough washing, put it into the tank first, then add water very, very slowly to reduce clouding. Let it sit over night to settle and it should be good to go in the morning.
Your plants are gonna love this stuff.
Len

[LostFisher]

So I will add the substrate, and what ever decor. Then fill the tank up very slowly and turn on my filter and heater. Next day I can start to add plants correct?

Thanks

Lost

[djlen]

Wash it WELL til the water comes clear. Put it in the tank and arrange with ornaments etc. Fill the tank slowly. Don't start your filter until the next morning unless the tank is pretty clear of dust. Otherwise you'll just load up your filter with dust. I always let it settle over night. THEN TA-DA!!! You're ready to add your plants. And if you're smart you will give them a week to establish themselves before adding ANY fish.
The best way to cycle a tank is to load it up with plants. They will use the ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates that the fish will produce.
Good luck Lost!!
Len