What is a good quality substrate?

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AquaticAustin

AquaticAustin

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Sep 29, 2011
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Hey all so I am switching over my 75g to my 110g tall tank here in the next few weeks since its been filled up for 2 or 3 months since I did the reseal and I want new substrate. I think I want to stick with gravel to use the UGF but not heat set on it and also I want black substrate. I have black/blue substrate but just the stuff you buy at petsmart and many pieces have lost their color. So I was wondering if there is a higher quality stuff that wont lost color.. Ideally it will be something I can find at a LFS or store locally not sold exclusively online since shipping on substrate is so pricey.
 
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XanAvaloni

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oh pooh. I just read the header and thought you meant "substrate in general". Did not realize you had already narrowed it down to gravel. So I got you this link to AquariumPlants.com stuff for nothing.

never mind. :)
 
fermentedhiker

fermentedhiker

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Well if you are set on using a UGF then you pretty much are limited to gravel. I can't say that I know if one brand or supplier has better color stability than an other.

If you aren't using a UGF then you have lots of options, but we'd need more info on what kind of setup you're trying to create.

If you just want something inert like gravel for a fish only setup I'd lean toward black diamond sand blasting grit. Way cheaper than LFS aquarium gravel or sand and looks beautiful IMO.
 
AquaticAustin

AquaticAustin

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Well I have a 110 planted tank but it can be inert, I use root tabs and it seems to work well so far. If sand is better for plants theres no reason I cant use it
 
fermentedhiker

fermentedhiker

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well not that you have to do what I do, but I do dirt bases for all my planted tanks. I use a base layer of miracle grow organic potting soil and cover/cap it with a good inch or more of gravel/sand. What you use for a cap is mostly a matter of what you like the look of as either will work.

Another option would be a high CEC substrate like fourite or eco-complete etc... And sometimes you can find a deal on shipping. I just got a couple bags of eco-complete(to use as a cap of soil in my new tank) and the shipping was free from drfostersmith.com because of how much I ordered.
 
AquaticAustin

AquaticAustin

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fermentedhiker

fermentedhiker

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Yes that's the stuff. There is more than one grain size though and I'm not sure which one works best

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AquaticAustin

AquaticAustin

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Went today and they only had one bag :( need 2 and the one was ripped so I didnt buy it

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