plant substrate

[flyte00]

when I move my Oscar and pleco from their 55 gallon into the new tank I will be building soon, I want to make the 55 into a really well planted community tank for my smaller fishy friends. I plan to use sand as a substrate. I saw this item at petsmart, Flourite plant substrate.
http://www.petsmart.com/global/prod...t=substrate&In=All&previousText=substrate&N=2
Would I want to place a layer of this under the sand? or mix it with the sand? Also, I know theres info available to search for but just a quick one.. is co2 difficult to do in a tank? I'm hoping to do a canister filter for that tank since I'll be getting one for the large tank as well. I'll be here asking for lighting advice I'm sure. This wont be for awhile but since I have a petsmart card with money left on it I thought I'd buy the substrate stuff now. Thanks!!

Sarah

 

[azadehm1]

I think that you should consider eco-complete. my local petsore actually sells this stuff for only 21.99. Also it's a really nice black color which makes my fish pop. Flourite which I have in another tank is such a pain. Even the darker Flourite has to be washed a lot before put in your tank. It's actually the same color as the red once you get all of the mud off. Anyhow the ecocomplete doesn't have to be washed and doesn't create the cloud of muddiness in the tank that Flourite does.

the only benefit I have heard is that Flourite keeps plants more secured...which I really haven't experienced.

As for layering with sand etc... I just use the eco complete or the Flourite alone and everything is growing well.

As for diy Co2. wow is it really easy. And once you get situated you can use a mixture that puts in unflavored gelatin which makes the co2 release consistent and longer lasting. I mean we're talking a cost of 1.00 a month and 10 minutes of work ...compare that to the expensive set ups.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

sand only is fine in the planted tank. depending on how much light you have you might not need a diy co2. it is easy to do. with a 55 gal you might need to do 2 bottles.

 

[RockabillyChick]

a cheap alternative some people have had is Shultz aquatic plant substrate. i use sand and its great now, but it takes a while for the sand to become "seasoned" a way to speed it up is to add a thin layer of peat moss on the bottom of the tank, and some lateralite, then put the sand over the top.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

one thing i forgot to say you can just use the cheap sand from home depot. what ever sand or gravel you use remember to clean it before putting it in your tank.