Flourite rinsing
- Thread starter shmagu
- Start date
Not quite. I've been using "Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Pure Laterite" for over 2 years. I've never had the water so much as tinge red and the substrate has been turned over and mixed thoroughly. I've got mostly stem plants and pull them roots and all and lop off the tops for replanting. Again never a problem with clouding.The grains are still holding together very well. Some are even sitting on top of the substrate. Perhaps with other brands but this has never been a problem for me. Come to think of it I don't think I ever rinsed when it was initially placed in the tank. Just poured it on the bottom evenly and covered with blasting sand.
Chaz
I, too, just bought Flourite Red today, and I wish I could comment on the look of it in my tank!
I already was cycling a 20 gal tank with Sand substrate and decided I was going to add Flourite for a better plant substrate. I mixed 1 bag (~15lbs) with Quickcrete medium sand, and I hope this works well enough. Since I already had the tank setup and cycling, it's quite murky and cloudy after thoroughly rinsing and adding it to the tank. My tank looks like V8 tomato juice
I am running a Penguin 125 with filter floss cartridge with carbon in it (the one that comes with it). I plan to use a AC 300 sponge block after cycling and for general use (which fits perfectly after shaving one of the edges a bit). I really dislike the silly cartridges that are made for these filters (Regent + Penguin). They come with carbon already in them and you have to keep buying replacements too often to keep them effective. Another thing is I don't like running carbon in my tanks all the time (very rarely). This seemed like a good time to wear out that carbon since all this V8 color is clouding my tank. I hope that carbon doesn't remove any effectiveness of the Flourite. Anyone see a problem with this?
Also, I have removed some of my sand when I added the Flourite Red. Will it be ok to get my substrate level to around 3" to 4" even when I'm using sand to mix with? Is this too deep? I hear that's a good depth for planting, but I also hear alot about using Flourite only, no sand. In case you are wondering, I don't mind if the Flourite is visible on top of the sand....I actually am going to purposely mix it a bit with the majority of Flourite being on bottom, but having some mixed well in the sand for color. I am setting up a Asian backwater setup style of tank. I have a betta as one of the fish and will work around that. Problem is that Khuli loaches are supposedly not turning out well from the breeders my LFS gets them from. This has been a problem for about 3 years they say. Too many sick ones, and they can't even sell them cause they look so bad! Hmmm, any ideas for a way around this?
I already was cycling a 20 gal tank with Sand substrate and decided I was going to add Flourite for a better plant substrate. I mixed 1 bag (~15lbs) with Quickcrete medium sand, and I hope this works well enough. Since I already had the tank setup and cycling, it's quite murky and cloudy after thoroughly rinsing and adding it to the tank. My tank looks like V8 tomato juice
I am running a Penguin 125 with filter floss cartridge with carbon in it (the one that comes with it). I plan to use a AC 300 sponge block after cycling and for general use (which fits perfectly after shaving one of the edges a bit). I really dislike the silly cartridges that are made for these filters (Regent + Penguin). They come with carbon already in them and you have to keep buying replacements too often to keep them effective. Another thing is I don't like running carbon in my tanks all the time (very rarely). This seemed like a good time to wear out that carbon since all this V8 color is clouding my tank. I hope that carbon doesn't remove any effectiveness of the Flourite. Anyone see a problem with this?
Also, I have removed some of my sand when I added the Flourite Red. Will it be ok to get my substrate level to around 3" to 4" even when I'm using sand to mix with? Is this too deep? I hear that's a good depth for planting, but I also hear alot about using Flourite only, no sand. In case you are wondering, I don't mind if the Flourite is visible on top of the sand....I actually am going to purposely mix it a bit with the majority of Flourite being on bottom, but having some mixed well in the sand for color. I am setting up a Asian backwater setup style of tank. I have a betta as one of the fish and will work around that. Problem is that Khuli loaches are supposedly not turning out well from the breeders my LFS gets them from. This has been a problem for about 3 years they say. Too many sick ones, and they can't even sell them cause they look so bad! Hmmm, any ideas for a way around this?
Flourite and Flourite Red
There are 2 Flourites... Regular Flourite is not as red.
I think the Red is a dye (not sure), but most likely would require more rinsing. I have heard using a bucket is a real good way to rinse a lot of it at one time.
The Laterite I have seen looks and feels like a powder - add water, and it would seem to have a 'muddy' texture. BUT - since I don't (won't) use it I may be totally wrong. I have to wonder why the stuff is covered with gravel..(?)
There are 2 Flourites... Regular Flourite is not as red.
I think the Red is a dye (not sure), but most likely would require more rinsing. I have heard using a bucket is a real good way to rinse a lot of it at one time.
The Laterite I have seen looks and feels like a powder - add water, and it would seem to have a 'muddy' texture. BUT - since I don't (won't) use it I may be totally wrong. I have to wonder why the stuff is covered with gravel..(?)
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It's all laterite, some raw (cat litter) some lightly baked, either in a kiln or naturally. The red is from natural iron oxides. Don't overwash Flourite, gang. That fine silty stuff is what grips phosphates etc, keeps your water algae-free and feeds plant roots.
Wash it too much and it might as well be LFS "aquarium" gravel. IMHO...
Wash it too much and it might as well be LFS "aquarium" gravel. IMHO...
I'd be careful about mixing in sand with larger-grain substrate. The sand could fill in around the other substrate and cause compacting.
Jared
Jared
Laterite
I found a link on Laterite....
I'm always learning something! I've seen the powdery stuff sold and it was gray in color.. I see it is red too. Flourite sure seems easier to 'work with' or 'work around'.... So - is Onyx sand laterite??
Everything about Laterite
So now I find this website that suggests Flourite in Not Laterite....(?)
Laterite vs Flourite
I found a link on Laterite....
I'm always learning something! I've seen the powdery stuff sold and it was gray in color.. I see it is red too. Flourite sure seems easier to 'work with' or 'work around'.... So - is Onyx sand laterite??
Everything about Laterite
So now I find this website that suggests Flourite in Not Laterite....(?)
Laterite vs Flourite
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Didnt wash mine a bit the cloud just took an extra 5-6 hrs to clear and once it settles the fine particals dont surface offten even when replanting and digging around.
