How much substrate do I need to use?

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I got a new 38 gallon tank, but I haven't set one up since I was 11, which was 20 years ago. I have no idea how much substrate I should be using for this tank. Also when disassembling my old 27 gallon, I found under the substrate this plastic grid like thing so the substrate-gravel wasn't sitting right on the bottom of the tank...is this something I should get? Thanks ahead of time!
 
you need to research what you want. If you want an underground filter, you need certain substrates. if you want an HOB filter, you can get away with different substrates. Do you want live plants? what types of fish do you want? look up their needs. i have Corydoras catfish so i have very soft sand now. otherwise their barbells get rubbed off on sharp substrate.
 
I'm going with a planted aquarium; I assume I'll be using crushed coral. The filter will be hanging on the edge of the tank.
 
plants don't generally do well with Crushed coral, as it tends to make the water more alkaline and harder. but some plants may do ok. Java fern is pretty easy to keep alive. for live pants, i believe 2 inches should be enough. HOB=hang on Back. i have found HOB's work best in my own situation. the fish you need for this type of water will have to be researched too. unless you know that you want fish that live in hard alkaline water.
 
ah, what's the alternative to crushed coral for a substrate with plants, if I don't want to go the alkaline route.
 
do you know what type of fish you want? if you want a lot of bottom feeders with barbells, you should have a soft substrate like silica pool filter sand. this is very cheap at a pool supply store. But you cannot use an underground filter. that is ok since you plan to use an HOB. in that case go about 2 inches. it is a light sandy brown color.

if you have a ph test kit, you can test your own water and see what the ph normally goes to. tetras look great schooling, and they like more acidic water. Livebearing fish prefer higher ph. if you get fish that work with the ph of the water you have, it makes it much easier to keep them alive. a community tank is ok, but the water has to stay near 7.0 ph. if your water is normally 7.0 then you can do most fish. if you get plants, get some fluorite to add to the tank on occasion, to give the plants nutrition.
 
The key to ph is having it remain consistent, so you wouldn't want to do the crushed coral. Good idea with the hob.....I've heard horror stories with those under gravel filters. As for substrate, sand or small (pea size) smooth gravel would be perfect for bottom dwellers and plants. You would want a minimum of 1 inch of substrate, 2 inches being better. This is about a pound and a half per gallon of gravel (not sure about sand). I use gravel in my tank, and I have cories, plants and MTS. All are doing great and thriving.


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For rooted plants you want 2"-3" of sand or small gravel. Although the subject of a 30 year debate, I would not use an under gravel filter (UGF) especially with rooted plants as they require routine periodic gravel siphoning to prevent them from becoming a 'nitrate factory'. Something you just can't do with rooted plants.
Having used both gravel and sand, I'm convinced sand is better. Detritus/mulm collects on the surface and can be easily removed while gravel requires more work.
Many have success with play sand. I'm currently using pool filter sand and am very happy with it.
 
Hmm, so I'm going planted, with not a lot of ground dwellers, more schooling fish; barbs, tetras, etc. So it sounds like avoid crushed coral. Any idea where to get pool filter sand this time of year in New England?
 
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