Substrate Confusion

[stumbler]

Hi there, I am currently changing the substrate in my 32G freshwater tank. I decided that since I am changing it I will prepare it for live plants, even though there are not in there yet. I've already bought two different kinds of substrate and returned it. Finally, last night I settled on buying a 25pound bag of flourite to use as the first layer of substrate (advice from knowledgable LFS). I then bought very small diameter gravel (which is coated and not natural) to put on top of the flourite. My question is will this kind of gravel still work if I have the base of flourite added to it?? I now know I should have found natural gravel but I have already opened the bag and therefore cannot return it.

Thanks for you advice,
Laura

 

[kyle3]

you'll probably be fine.

is there a reason you don't want to use plain flourite?

if it's asthetic you should know it's only a matter of time before your flourite and plain gravel have mixed together.

I've never used coated gravel but i imagine that all of the materials are nontixic to fish and therefore no threat to your tank.


cheers! -Kyle

 

[nursie]

WHichever one has the larger particles will eventually migrate to the top. I started with flurorite with sand on top, and now I have fluorite on top mostly. Not a problem. IMO, mixing fluorite with another substrate is an economical way to use fluorite.

 

[kyle3]

good point! that stuffs a pretty penny!