black flourite sand and/or gravel?

NewObsession

NewObsession

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Aug 27, 2007
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setting up a 33 gallon planted tank. Had planned on going with black flourite. Now I fond out there is black flourite sand as well (in a nother thread on here that doesn't seem to be going anywhere). Just wondering your thoughts on the pros/cons of each in setting up a planted tank. If I mix the two will I end up with bits of gravel sticking out of the sand (like a windblown desert look) or will the sand just eventually work its way down into the gravel leaving me with a plain black gravel look anyways? Tank stock will be dwarf neon rainbows, furcatus rainbows and polka dot loaches.
Also curious about the substrate for the loaches since I believe sandy is better, but will I run into agravation when scaping it ie slopes and what not?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
they would prob like the sand the best but i see plenty of people put them in gravel. if you mix to two it will just get end up a mess from my past sand/gravel tank. with sand you need to make sure to mix it up every month or so. getting MTS will help keep gas pockets from forming. i would go with the sand.
 
i would just go with strictly sand. sand does much better in a planted tank.and all the debris would sit on top making it easier to clean. good choice with the black fourite sand, that is going into my next tank.
 
grannylvsfish said:
good questions!!
also with the sand is it harder to clean ( being sucked up in the hose)
Click to expand...
AS far as cleaning, I've heard its actually easier, just hover the vac and you don't have to worry about digging down like you do with gravel.

AS far as stirring it up Mgamer, how does one do that with a planted tank without disturbing the plants? Especially since I'm hoping to have some type of carpet plant like HC or glosso. I've heard MTS's will do it, but also heard they can over run a tank and what a pain they are to get rid of ( unless the polka dot loaches have them for lunch).
 
Out of curiousity, I have just read a couple things online on some plant sites that using a fine grain substrate(sand) can choke out or crush roots. Yes? No?
Also, when aquascaping a tank, if I want a raised terrace in back, can I put something under the substrate to raise it rather than using twice as much just to get it higher?

sorry for all the questions, I just want to do it correct from the start, especially when dealing with things like substrate which isn't the kind of thing easily switched later..
 
I've got a product from Seachem called Onyx Sand. Works great and most of the time I can stick the gravel vac right into the sand and the heavy stuff comes up the column about halfway but doesn't actually leave the tank.
 
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