View Full Version : What kind of substrate
justinakabob
07-20-2003, 9:00 PM
What kind of substrate
I just bought some Anacharis, Coontail Spray, Jungle Vala. This is for my first planted tank. I am wondering what the best substrate might be I am thinking about using sand, and what kind of fish might be best; it is a 10-gallon tank
Thank you for your help
Hebdizzle
07-20-2003, 9:11 PM
corys or loaches for bottom feeders love sand.
anonapersona
07-20-2003, 9:27 PM
The light is more important than the substrate. How many watts, what size tank?
justinakabob
07-20-2003, 10:20 PM
The light is a Flora-Glo 2800K and it is a 10-gallon tank
I don't think you want the jungle Val - it get to 6' long for me.
justinakabob
07-22-2003, 7:55 PM
if mine grows to be that tall I guess I will try to trim it
Tempest
07-22-2003, 9:20 PM
You can't really trim the Jungle Val like grass. The problem is that if you do then the rest of that leaf rots off. I have Jungle Val in my 55 gallon that I have to keep taking long long long leaves off of when they try to take over the tank. I guess if I weren't so lazy I'd find something shorter to go back there. :D
Tempest
07-22-2003, 9:22 PM
Heehees... Sure does impress my friends when they come in the house while I'm up to my armpits pulling out 5 foot long weeds though. :D
justinakabob
07-22-2003, 9:42 PM
Thanks Tempest, thats something i didnt know, I guess I will have to move the longer ones into one of my other tanks or one of my brothers planted tall tanks... Now all I need to do is get some ideas on some substrate and mabey some fish, I'm a cichlid guy, and not many cichlids are plant friendly so im open for some Ideas
Toro Driver
07-27-2003, 12:30 PM
I have two Angilica Botias that do a great job of stirring stuff up from the bottom. I've looked at putting sand in my tank for a substrate many times and keep getting conflicting posts. I am in the process of adding plants and right now my substrate is a simple gravel. Can I leave the gravel in place and cover it with about an inch of sand. That way the substrate shouldn't get to compacted. :confused:
125gJoe
07-27-2003, 5:30 PM
Originally posted by justinakabob
What kind of substrate.... ... I am wondering what the best substrate might be .. .. In My Opinion... SeaChem's Flourite or Onyx Sand !
Link: SeaChem (http://www.seachem.com/)
Jhereg10
08-03-2003, 11:51 AM
On the cheap side for substrate, I did the following:
-Substrate Upper Layer (1")
Mostly gravel (1-2mm, actually pool filter media)
-Substrate Lower Layer (2")
50% Schultz/Profile Aquatic Potting Soil (similar to laterite)
25% gravel (1-2mm, actually pool filter media)
25% sand.
The Aquatic Potting Soil is not QUITE as good as actual laterite I've been told, but it was cheaper here. I hear from LFS there is a newer product (imported from Germany?), can't remember the name, which is a very small, reddish granule (<1mm size) that is a very good substrate/additive and will also maintain a slightly lower pH if that's what you're looking for.