I will be starting a new tank in a couple of weeks. This is my first large planted tank venture and I would like some substrate advice please. The new tank is a 65 gal., 36W X 20D X 24H. I am interested in dark (black?) or natural coloration and don't mind layers if that is best. If advice can't be given without knowing the particulars about the rest of the set-up, (filter,etc.), I will have to wait as that information is at home and I won't be there until Wednesday (16 Mar). I have a purchased a canister filter but the manufacturer's names/numbers don't yet trip off my tongue...can't wait till I am that comfortable with all of this. I plan a moderately planted tank and am looking forward to learning about CO2 and ferts. Thanks for whatever help any of you may be able to give!
SUBSTRATE FAVORITES?
- Thread starter bulldogsnbettas
- Start date
Depending on what kind of fish you want, sand might be the best option. I had gravel but it's a bit harder to maintain. Sand is good for fish, especially if you plan on getting corydoras and it's easier for plants to take root if you plan on having a planted tank.
I use Eco-Complete. I was actually really impressed on how well the plants are doing with this substrate.
This stuff from Aquariumplants.com is excellent. Pretty much an eco-complete knockoff I suppose, although never having used e-c I can't say for sure. My only quibble is that the one billed as "black diamond"-which is what I have--is more of a brownish-gray. But that may be due to the very high lighting i have in that 10g. It's more neutral than striking...but in all other respects I have no complaints at all. Not as fine-grained as sand but no sharp edges of any sort either. The akysis (bumblebee cats) live under it more than on it, it's so easy to burrow through.
I got 2 gallons (that's how they sell it, rather than pounds) 2 years ago. No ferts whatever other than fish poo, and no CO2. It's still growing plants at such a rate I have to go in with a machete every couple of months and hack with extreme prejudice, to keep it from filling in completely and leaving no swimming room for anybody.
and free shipping is still the policy. That makes a huge difference for something that weighs as much as substrate does.
I got 2 gallons (that's how they sell it, rather than pounds) 2 years ago. No ferts whatever other than fish poo, and no CO2. It's still growing plants at such a rate I have to go in with a machete every couple of months and hack with extreme prejudice, to keep it from filling in completely and leaving no swimming room for anybody.
and free shipping is still the policy. That makes a huge difference for something that weighs as much as substrate does.
Substrate is one of those things that comes down to personal choice and you will get a number of opinion on which ones.If this is your first planted tank,my advice would be to go with one of the more simple choices.I'll say this;after doing planted tanks for 25+ years,I have had just as beautiful results from plain gravel as I've had with some of the more technical(and pricey)packaged substrates.For the simplest route and if you want to go with black,I suggest mixing one part Flourite Black with three parts black Tahitian Moon Sand,or similar product.You could go with plain black gravel although it's a little hard to find in a small size.Small grain size is important.Large gravel is a pain to plant into and also allows uneaten food to get down into layers that fish can't reach and ends up rotting.I do think Eco-complete is good as well.But,cost aside,the best substrate I've used is ADA Amazonia II.If you can afford it,I highly recommend it.It has all you need in one substrate.That's my advice>Good luck...
Hi
Would have to agree with Chris . Actually there are many types that can be grown without a substrate at all lol in fact they do better
I've used everything from kitty litter to "black cow" and everything in between. and all were successful on some level. The MOST important thing is LIGHT. Substate is only important to rooted stem plants anyway but most of them can adapt if they have sufficient light.
My runaway most successful tank was a total rule breaker . 150 set up in a Gh with only natural light even direct sun lol. Used black kow and top soil covered with 2 mm sintered glass. made pockets on the bottom ranging from 2 to 6 inches deep . The runaway biggest problem was over growth had to prone at least once a week. Even grew Lace plant which actually flowered and set viable seed.
For your first tank I'd go with the usual methods depending on what you want to grow and how much and the desired "landscape"
Most aquarium plants are easy to grow IF they get enough light but even that isn't too important if you choose low light species?? Good luck gary
Would have to agree with Chris . Actually there are many types that can be grown without a substrate at all lol in fact they do better
I've used everything from kitty litter to "black cow" and everything in between. and all were successful on some level. The MOST important thing is LIGHT. Substate is only important to rooted stem plants anyway but most of them can adapt if they have sufficient light.
My runaway most successful tank was a total rule breaker . 150 set up in a Gh with only natural light even direct sun lol. Used black kow and top soil covered with 2 mm sintered glass. made pockets on the bottom ranging from 2 to 6 inches deep . The runaway biggest problem was over growth had to prone at least once a week. Even grew Lace plant which actually flowered and set viable seed.
For your first tank I'd go with the usual methods depending on what you want to grow and how much and the desired "landscape"
Most aquarium plants are easy to grow IF they get enough light but even that isn't too important if you choose low light species?? Good luck gary
Thanks everyone! One more thing. I got a 7.9 gal. Fluval set-up for planting as a gift. It has been up and running for a couple of months and so far, so good. It came with substrate that looks like little black balls -- pelleted peat, I think, and it has so much sediment/silt (?) in it that the 3 danios disturb it just during their normal routine, and vacuuming it is virtually impossible to do without clouding the tank to the point that it looks like primordial soup. I am hoping you are going to tell me that this is not the kind of thing that routinely happens with all substrates...I hate it and presuming there is a cleaner alternative, I am going to change the Fluval's substrate at the same time that I set up the 65 gal. What say you?
I've never used pelleted peat, but I imagine that eventually it will break down and behave like loose peat, and it will always be cloudy unless you put another substrate such as sand,gravel or one of the prepared substrates in a layer on top of it. You also have to watch out for the decaying organics in peat fouling your water. I agree that you should change it if you get the chance, or possibly leave a thin layer of it under your new substrate. Although it is messy and full of organics, peat is benefitial to plants. Luckily, all substrates don't perform the same way. With Fluorite, if you wash it good before putting it in the tank, it dosen't cloud your water at all.
Learning, learning! I like the idea of sand and as I understand it, corys really like it (is that correct?) Please tell me what the flourite black adds to the mix. Also, how deep should this be in the tank? Can I create a slope or will the substrate even off on its own thus making an initial slope pointless. I would also appreciate any hints as to what I should do and how often I should do it to keep the sand from compacting. What ferts would be best to use -- I have to use RO water with Kent R/O Right and Kent pH stable. I will be using CO2 as well.