adding laterite to established tank

[vthokie]

I bought a box of API First Layer laterite on impulse yesterday. I always thought you were supposed to use it when first setting up a tank, but on the box it says it can be used in an established tank.

I currently have an established tank with plain gravel (Estes bit o' walnut) and was thinking of adding laterite to help with my plants (mainly the crypts).

The laterite looks like gravel, and I was hoping that I could just mix it in with the gravel. However, from what I've read it seems like it will turn into mud once it gets wet. If so, I'll return the box to the store.

Will adding it to my existing gravel just create a big mess that I will regret?

TIA,
John

 

[FrostyNYC]

Short answer: Yes.

Long answer: It clouds water severely. When setting up a new tank, it's supposed to go under your gravel, directly on the glass at the bottom of the tank, so that it will never come in contact with your water column. If I was you, Id either hold onto it until you want to redo your tank, or return it and buy some root tabs instead.

 

[tanker]

Short answer: Yes.

Long answer: It clouds water severely. When setting up a new tank, it's supposed to go under your gravel, directly on the glass at the bottom of the tank, so that it will never come in contact with your water column. If I was you, Id either hold onto it until you want to redo your tank, or return it and buy some root tabs instead.

:iagree:
Enough said.

 

[vthokie]

Thanks for the responses. It sounded too easy to just add laterite to the existing tank. I'll continue to use root tabs until I can find the time to change the substrate.

 

[bazil323]

I did it. I had plain gravel and then added laterite almost a year later. Yes, it did cloud the water up crazy bad for a day, but then it settled. I had to be careful with gravel vacs, but now that the tank is heavily planted and lightly stocked, I don't really do gravel vacs anyway. Just water changes and suck up any debris that's on the surface.

If you have a pillow case you are okay with ruining, you can drop the laterite in that and rinse it really well (a trick someone posted for rinsing sand). Then carefully use a cup to get the laterite close to the gravel and gently pour it on the gravel. Then use your fingers to gently mix it into the gravel. If you have sponge filters, it's fine to keep 'em running (like I did). Otherwise, then I'd think about turning it off to protect the motor from getting silt in it.