I have a planted tank with a base layer of flourite substrate and approx. 3/4" to 1" of gravel on top of it. Is the layer of gravel too thick? Should i try to take off the gravel completely? I also have a couple corys, so is a little bit of gravel important?
flourite and gravel question
- Thread starter aquaboy
- Start date
aquaboy said:
No, its not to thick. In fact if you have live plants, youve done it right. Some people actually go as far as 2-3 inches thick in planted tanks.....
I am just asking b/c the LFS said that I don't actually need any gravel. He said the gravel stops the flourite from breaking down the waste and nutrients because it doesn't come in direct contact with the water. Needless to say, he said definitely DO NOT vacuum up the waste due to the fact that the waste equals food for the plants.
Confused...
Confused...
You can add gravel if you want. You don't need to but it won't hurt. The fish waste will work its way down through the gravel cracks. When using a gravel vacuum you don't want to jam it into the gravel as it will remove all the good mulm (waste) and some flourite. Instead you will want to just lightly run it over the top of the gravel, picking up some of the loose waste.
Go back to your LFS and tell the guy that djlen said what he told you was bogus.
What a crock!!!!
Over time all your flourite/gravel is going to mix together, so I wouldn't worry too much about it anyway.
Some of the stuff should be left in the gravel to break down, nutrify and build your substrate bed. Excess decaying leaves etc. can/should be siphoned off as too much of that can lead to problems. I gravel vac only after moving or pruning plants, especially when large quantities are moved or uprooted(stems) to prune. I do it as part of my water change.
Len
What a crock!!!!
Over time all your flourite/gravel is going to mix together, so I wouldn't worry too much about it anyway.
Some of the stuff should be left in the gravel to break down, nutrify and build your substrate bed. Excess decaying leaves etc. can/should be siphoned off as too much of that can lead to problems. I gravel vac only after moving or pruning plants, especially when large quantities are moved or uprooted(stems) to prune. I do it as part of my water change.
Len