Debating Sand
- Thread starter railer20
- Start date
Yep, Shadow, those are among the easiest of plants, good choices. I'm not sure of your lighting but those plants don't need anything fancy?
I have used Tropica ferts. for over 2 decades. Today they are dirt simple. They now offer two varieties.
I use them slightly differently because there is more than just the plants involved. The fish make waste- ammonia and poop content. This makes nitrogen available. So, in tanks which are heavily stocked, I do not tend to add macronutrients and will use the Premium. I may do a mix and use a bit of the Specialized. In smaller tanks which have lots of plants and only a few smaller inhabitants I use 100% the Specialized.
When I started with Tropica they made a product called MasterGrow. I used to buy it in the 5 liter size from BigAls who has closed his USA operation
I use them slightly differently because there is more than just the plants involved. The fish make waste- ammonia and poop content. This makes nitrogen available. So, in tanks which are heavily stocked, I do not tend to add macronutrients and will use the Premium. I may do a mix and use a bit of the Specialized. In smaller tanks which have lots of plants and only a few smaller inhabitants I use 100% the Specialized.
When I started with Tropica they made a product called MasterGrow. I used to buy it in the 5 liter size from BigAls who has closed his USA operation
I’ve used pool filter sand for years never had an issue I use eheim canister filters with water pump on top of canister, sand will wreck a pump. I have atleast 3inchs of sand through out tank.i never clean the sand don’t want to dusters arobic bacteria .if your current is strong enough debri will be pushed to where you want it to be in filter.
Well it all depends on what type of plants you are thinking of getting and what your light or lights are capable of.
If you go with sand I would recommend a mixture of Carib Sea Complete substrate mixed with a bag of Seachem’s Flourite Red. Carib Sea is basically volcanic roc that comes with a mixture to help your tank establish the bacterial colony and secondly it has an excellent CEC (Cation Exchange Capacity) rating. The Flourite Red is basically a clay base substrate that is rich in Iron which is a supplement needed by all plants.
As far as the depth of the substrate you can do 2” in the front and 4” in the back this way you give your tank the effect of height and depth.
For plants I would recommend plants which do not require Carbon Dioxide such as Hygrophila Angustifolia, Hygrophila Siamensis Stricta, Carolina Cambomba, Echinodorus Blehri, or Echinodorus Green Ozelot. And Cryptocoryne Wendetti, and Anubias Nana, Anubias Barteri and Anubias Lancelota. The Hygrophila are fast growing stem plants. You just need to buy some root tabs for them and the Echinodorus which are heavy root feeders. The Hygrophila will consume a lot of their nutrients through their exposed roots and leaves which will help consume Nitrates and Ammonia fast.
I am including a picture of my current tank. 75 gallon planted with Hygrophila Angustifolia, Hygrophila Corymbosa, Hygrophila Lance, Echinodorus Blehri, Anubias Barteri.
I am brand new to this forum. In fact this is my first post. While I did have an aquarium 20 some years ago, every thing was artificial except for the fish, and it needed regular maintainance. Now I have a 29 gallon. I am using an inch or so of pre washed potting mix with 2 inches or so of pre washed play sand on top that i purchased at Home Depot. Everything went well untill I tried adding more sand, thus destroying my back filter. I now have a sponge filter that seems to be a great choice. I did plant 10 plants in the tank, but feel that is not enough so I just ordered another 15 verities. The tank is only a month or so old. I am seeing slight brown algae in front below the light, and a bit of black on one of the plants. I am not over feeding so I am thinking that by planting much heavier that the problem might be reversed. That is as far as my thinking takes me. Love watching the plants and fish, but I have so much yet to learn. I feed brine shrimp and not those processed flakes.
I wish to thank the administrators for allowing me to join this forum.
I wish to thank the administrators for allowing me to join this forum.
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