View Full Version : The Filth of Flourite
Phew!! I just rinsed out 10 bags (150lbs) of flourite. I started the task at my kitchen sink but quickly realized that I'd have to move the operation to my back porch. I didn't expect so much crud to come out...it was like liquid clay. The package says it is prewashed - I'd hate to have seen the results if it wasn't. I haven't added water yet but I am very leary about cloudiness. Despite the thorough cleansing I think I may still have a bit of cloudiness- anyone have the same experiences? I have my drgravel and driftwood in place- now it' time to order the plants I've decided on...YEAH! Sooooo suspensful!
Timmain42
09-01-2003, 6:33 AM
Flourite is nasty stuff... when you fill the tank, do it very VERY slowly, or you'll have a repeat of your washing experience.
125gJoe
09-01-2003, 8:41 AM
Very strange...
Didn't have any problems with Flourite I have in the 10 gallon tank. :confused:
Jamie, if you've rinsed it, put it in the tank, arrange it the way you like, and then put a small bowl in the tank on top of it and fill the bowl and let it over flow to fill the tank slowly. This will keep any agitation off the substrate and keep the cloudiness down.
I didn't wash my last batch for my ten gal. tank at all(15lbs) and I filled it like above and had no clouding at all.
Just fill it very slowly.
Len
ChilDawg
09-01-2003, 9:33 AM
The cloudiness will eventually settle out if you have it in your tank already. Just be very careful when washing the gravel!
(This sounds like a bad cotton commercial: "The clay, the filth of Fluorite, the substrate of our tanks...")
Jamie
09-01-2003, 11:50 AM
I wasn't too sure if I should have rinsed it, some people have recommended to not rinse...but I'm sure glad I did. I never expected the rust colored river of muck that spewed from the bottom of my strainer. I ended up sprinkling about ten handfuls of Scotts Sphagnum Peat Moss (ground up) in the bottom inch or so. I love how everything is turning out. I have a very nice slope of about 5in in the back to about 2in in the front. It is a very pleasant transition over the 24in from front to back.
Starry
09-01-2003, 2:07 PM
Originally posted by Jamie
I love how everything is turning out. I have a very nice slope of about 5in in the back to about 2in in the front. It is a very pleasant transition over the 24in from front to back.
I hope you can keep it that way! I started out with a nice little slope too, but just over a year later I have about 2 inches in the front, and more like 1 inch in the back. I don't know how I managed it :confused:
wetmanNY
09-01-2003, 7:16 PM
Yes. On the one hand, it's hell to work with unwashed. On the other hand, those fines and clay particles are what give Flourite its high cation exchange capacity. Phosphate sticks to those particles, and other nutrients too.
I think it's tempting to overwash Flourite.
I use a section of tubing in the corner to make a temporary well, siphon out every drop I can get, spritz down the walls and and rocks and plants and all, and resiphon. That way all that good nasty claylike stuff gets down into the Flourite, where I want it. The top has been spritzed clean-ish. Then mature gravel makes a thin topcoat to kickstart the nitrogen cycle.
...and thair ya go!