Smaller Flourite

[125gJoe]

I prefer the look of a fine substrate, almost sand, but not that fine. Has anyone crushed Flourite to make it smaller? Would this weaken the benefits of the Flourite? Would it dissapate the minerals and nutrients quicker, thus shortening the "life" of the Flourite?
I'd like to get rid of the gravel in my 10 gallon tank and use Flourite.. and would like the look of smaller granules of Flourite.

 

[somefinnfishy]

you would lose 50% to dust/powder IMO.
BTW how did you plan on crushing it?

 

[125gJoe]

I have access to a press..
Wow! 50% loss is not good....

 

[Elmo]

What about getting a clay coloured gravel that is the size that you want and mixing in Laterite. Thats what I did in my 20 and I'm quite happy with the look.

 

[125gJoe]

Laterite is too powdery for me.... It seems like it would easily get stirred up and into the water column.

 

[superjohnny]

You could mix it with a smaller sized river rock. That would give it an overall look of being finer. I guess this means you're not going to go with onyx sand then like your 80?

 

[125gJoe]

Originally posted by superjohnny
You could mix it with a smaller sized river rock. That would give it an overall look of being finer. I guess this means you're not going to go with onyx sand then like your 80?

I want a different look for the 10 gallon.... In a way, I'm surprised SeaChem doesn't have a Flourite 'Sand' -- bet it would sell.

 

[superjohnny]

I used the Seachem Red Flourite and OMG it was such a PITA to clean. I wish I'd have known before I bought it. Stick with the regular flourite.

 

[somefinnfishy]

You can blend it with the basic redfint bulk gravel some of the 1-2mm and some matching sand looks nice.
I guess you could try to crush a little see what happens add the dust to the bottom.I dont even rinse most my messy substrates anyway.

 

[125gJoe]

Blending sounds ok..
SeaChem has been very quick with recent Onyx Sand questions I've asked them, so I wonder what they would say about Flourite"Sand"? I just may not be possible, too 'powdery'....
Hmm...