I'm starting my first high tech tank, 75 gallon, and have purchased Flourite Red for the substrate, at a depth of 3 inches. I like the look of this stuff, so do I need to cap it off with any thing else, or would that be just for cosmetic purposes? Also, do I need to add anything to the Flourite, such as peat, ferts, or other products to help. I will also be using compressed CO2, and 54w x 4 t5's for lighting. I would like to hear any suggestions.
Cap Flourite?
- Thread starter Skinskin72
- Start date
Skin - I used the same substrate and would recommend capping it with something. Mine is a little too light and flaky and it is difficult to keep plants rooted in the substrate. I have learned my lesson the hard way, but would defer to the more experienced users in AC to recommend something. My other suggestion is to RINSE RINSE RINSE before you put the new fluorite in the tank. Again I learned the hard way and didn't rinse enough which gave me a cloudy tank for extended time. Good luck and look forward to seeing pics as you build!
Sent from my iPad using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
Sent from my iPad using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
Fluorite is a totally inert substrate. It doesn't really contain anything beyond a few trace elements for the plants. If you are going pressurized CO2, then you are going to want to do some sort of fert dosing regimen as well.
You don't need to cap it, and in fact most people I've chatted with use it as a cap for soil or MTS tanks. If you want to have a little better rooting medium for smaller plants, you could mix a bit of sand in with it. Other than that, I find that it's most useful as a sole substrate due to it's high cation exchange capacity.
You don't need to cap it, and in fact most people I've chatted with use it as a cap for soil or MTS tanks. If you want to have a little better rooting medium for smaller plants, you could mix a bit of sand in with it. Other than that, I find that it's most useful as a sole substrate due to it's high cation exchange capacity.
I've been thinking about using soil under the Flourite, but I don't know enough about the process. How deep of a layer of soil should I use? What do I need to add to it? How long will the soil hold up before having to tear the tank down? I really want to do this tank right.
Check this thread out, it will explain the process.
http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/...-mineralized-soil-substrate-aaron-talbot.html
You can also just use plain potting soil, but I've found that this is far more stable and effective.
http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/...-mineralized-soil-substrate-aaron-talbot.html
You can also just use plain potting soil, but I've found that this is far more stable and effective.
When I capped fluorite with sand it seemed to make its way to the top anyways...but if you do use it RINSE! You can't over do it...