Plant Substrate

chkltcow said:
Joe: do you have problems with yours "turning over" and getting the flourite on top when you're planting or cleaning? ...
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The two products are basically the same and very good for live plants. Just wondering, why did you put Flourite under Onyx Sand?

For me, I used them separately...

Some prefer laterite (clay-like), then putting gravel on top of laterite to keep it down and not in the water column. I chose not to use laterite due to the possibility of "turning over" the laterite.. SeaChem's Flourite and Onyx Sand simplify things by not having to mess with the potential of disturbing the laterite.
 
125gJoe said:
The two products are basically the same and very good for live plants. Just wondering, why did you put Flourite under Onyx Sand?

For me, I used them separately...

Some prefer laterite (clay-like), then putting gravel on top of laterite to keep it down and not in the water column. I chose not to use laterite due to the possibility of "turning over" the laterite.. SeaChem's Flourite and Onyx Sand simplify things by not having to mess with the potential of disturbing the laterite.
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I had part of a bag of Onyx sand already and I bought flourite for a new 20g I set up. I wasn't too fond of the way the flourite looked, so I put the Onyx sand I had over top of it. I thought the flourite was more "for the plants" and the Onyx Sand was more "for looks"... too.
 
chkltcow said:
I had part of a bag of Onyx sand already and I bought flourite for a new 20g I set up. I wasn't too fond of the way the flourite looked, so I put the Onyx sand I had over top of it. I thought the flourite was more "for the plants" and the Onyx Sand was more "for looks"... too.
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Both Flourite and Onyx Sand from SeaChem are supposed to be equally benenficial to live plants.

I'm really torn between the two products as to which one looks better. I have Onyx Sand in the 125 gallon now, but I'm sure the Flourite would look great too -- maybe even more of a natural look..


Oh, and I have not used "Eco-Complete", but it sounds like a good product.
 
I prefer the look of Flourite more than Onyx Sand myself, but that is pure personal preference. The Eco-Complete is much darker, and I have seen some really good-looking tanks using it. If I wanted an essentially black substrate, it would be first choice.

I agree that a single-material substrate is much easier to work on - if you do much replanting (many stems), give that careful thought before going for a layered substrate. Layering has a relatively short lifespan IME, and I don't do much plant resetting.
 
Just had something to add - I use flourite and have corys. I have since read sand is better because it doesnt grind down their whiskers. No experience with ecco.
 
Onyx Sand holds my plants better than Eco-Complete, but both are very good substrates. I never had problems with Onyx Sand and Cory barbels or with rinsing it - I rinse it lightly and just let it settle. I decided between the two by flipping a coin, but, as the coin landed on its edge, I use both in separate tanks. I have not used Flourite; I find it a bit too orange for my taste.
 
planning on a chiclid planted tank " was going to get shellies but not able to" I am going to try angels. Do they or clown loaches have a problem with substrate? The tank will be fairly well planted when done. May take a bit of time to get the plants as few shops keep much in stock.
 
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