gravel or sand?

Yep, sand is usually cheaper. A lot of people swear by pool filter sand #20. You can buy it from Lowes or Home Depot, I think.

Root fertilizer tablets are sold by Flourish & API. There's also a diy thread here to make your own.
 
fishycat said:
If you go gravel, go for a smaller sized pebble... normal aquarium gravel allows a lot of water flow which could spread the nutrients from any root fertilizer tabs into the water column, promoting algae.

One piece of advice - if you go planted, plant big right from the start. Cram as many plants in there as you can. Start off with fast growers like anacharis & water sprite. You can always sell it or trade it later on. This will help to prevent algae while your slower growing plants are trying to get a foothold. Too often when people start planted, they're too tentative and the lights they use tend to be too much & cause algae issues.
Click to expand...

I agree with Fishy!! (It seems I always do...:lol2:)
 
I'm relatively new to the hobby compared to many others here. So I'll give you my "newbie" opinion and exerience.

I started with gravel not knowing any different. I did the weekly gravel vac and water change. But still ended up with the toxic goo when I did a deep vacuum. Drove me crazy! I could never get it all. I didn't find the gravel held my plants well either. So I changed to sand about 5 months ago after reading about it here on the forum. Granted you will see the waste on top of the sand, but I'd rather see it to clean it then to have it hidden and causing issues. I put my finger over the end of the siphon hose so I can do the "sweep and vac" method and also the hover method. My plants stay put now. Most of my tanks I dose with Excel. I'd like to play with other ferts when I can afford to.

And I also always seem to agree with Fishycat. LOL
 
Not sure if this has been said, but a major con for sand is that anearobic bacteria can form in the substrate. I'd recommend getting some Malaysian Trumpet Snails (MTS) to overturn the sand.

I'm thinking about switchign to pool filter sand.
 
The anaerobic issue is not so much if you keep your sand layer to 1". But yes, Malaysian trumpet snails are 100% the way to go... They will keep your sand aerated & clean up extra food & algae. As long as you don't ovrfeed your fish, you shouldn't have a problem of too many snails. Thanks for reminding me, Chris!
 
I'm not actually sure about that link - I haven't been able to find pfs locally. :rolleyes: I've heard play sand also works. Whatever you choose, rinse well to remove dust & debris!
 
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