Newbie Questions

chicago1847

AC Members
Mar 20, 2005
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How much substrate should there be in the tank? The LFS told me 1 to 1 and 1/2 lbs per gallon of water (I have a 20 g tank). It seemed like a lot but I bought 20 lbs. worth of gravel. Now I'm reading on another website that 1/4" of substrate is the absolute maximum. Also, I bought a Marineland 200 bio wheel and the impeller is really loud...are they all like this or is mine defective? Is there some way to make it more quiet? Thanks.
 
From what i have gathered - if your tank isnt planted, the less gravel teh better, since its a lot easier to vaccuum. But take into consideration the size of the gravel itself. Large gravel can be a PAIN (as i figured out) to plant fake plants in, much more of a pain if there was only 1/4 inch. If i was getting a tank, and it wasnt planted, i would get very fine gravel, and make it about an inch + thick. as long as you gravel vac well, i dont think having more than 1/4 inch of substrate is a problem. I would just do whatever you feel is easier, but the thicker it is, the more important it is to gravel vac.
 
If your not going to plant you tank you don't need much. If you are going planted then you need about 2-2 1/2 inches or more.
 
I found out a great way to anchor fake plants,just take off thr anchoring device that the fake plant came with and replace it with those suction cups that you would use to anchor airline tubing,it works great,and you can use any size gravel rhat you want ;)
 
If you are going with live plants, you don't have to gravel vac. Just skim unsightly mulm off the top, but don't vac it. The plants use it.
 
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