Substrate Info

[pbecot01]

There's a lot of info on this forum about CO2 and Lighting, but not so much about substrate for someone who is completely ignorant.

What I THINK I read is that if I want a sand base, I can/should put a layer of potting soil in first, and then put the sand over that? If I do this, I can put plants in later, right? (after I cycle the tank)

What other options exist... flourite is mentioned a lot, but what is it? Plain sand works for a heavily planted tank?

Finally, any actual instructions for planting the tank would be helpful... I know what I have done in the past, but that was just burying plants in plain gravel lol.

 

[beviking]

There's a lot of info on everything on this forum, you just have to search deep enough. Peat moss and mulm from an existing tank filter (the brown crud in the filter media is mulm) is recommended to lay down first before putting your substrate down. Someone else who is on top of sand substrates can guide you better than I. Sure I've read it enough times, but unless I'm interested in it (doing it) it goes in and right back out (don't tell my wife this!).
There are other substrate options like Flourite which are more beneficial to plants. Try this link...
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39177&highlight=cation+exchange
this one too...
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15179&highlight=cation+exchange

As for planting, it's the same, you just might have to push them deeper to get them to hold.

 

[pbecot01]

Sorry, didn't mean to be rude I AM finding a lot of info, thanks for your reply.

 

[Karnaaj]

pbecot01, If your looking to be serious about a planted tank your best bet is to go with one of the substrates designed for plants, such as fluorite or eco-complete. With the fluorite what you want to do is place a very fine layer of ground peat on the bottom and then put the fluorite on top of it. When i say fine I mean you should still be able to see the glass in most places. The peat acts as a catalyst to get the fluorite to release iron more quickly than it would otherwise. Once that has happened the peat is useless. Eventually it will decompose. You can use sand but just remember you will have to dose iron frequently if you do.

If you go eco-complete ( a much more expensive product) you can fore go the peat. Check out the substrate forum over at The Planted Tank Forum if you get a chance.

 

[Harlock]

I will respectfully disagree with Karnaaj in that I think the "specially" formulated substrates are unneccesary even if you wish to get serious about a planted tank. Depending on plant selection, lighting, CO2 etc. substrate can matter very little. Heck, a lot of plants pull most of their nutrients from the water column. I use plain old pool filter sand in my planted tank and things look wonderful to me. I do dose Flourish and Flourish Excel and do 50% water changes at least every 5 days. A lot of your trace elements are already in my tap water and I think my plants are benifitting greatly from my diligence in changing the water. But hey, I do everything wrong for a planted tank, so don't listen to me. I use Bio-Wheel filters, used plain old sand, have some plants that do fine even though my light was supposedly insufficient and I also only have a 24" light over a 30" wide tank. Go figure!

 

[beviking]

Sorry, didn't mean to be rude I AM finding a lot of info, thanks for your reply.

No need to apologize. I didn't intend to imply you were being rude...sorry that you read it that way. Apparently, if the sand is too deep, you can develope anaerobic pockets (because the sand compacts and oxygen can't get to it) that produce gas that can kill the fish if disturbed. Some say don't disturb it and you won't have a problem, some say stir it up every couple weeks. I say why bother?
I do agree with Harlock, in that you can make just about anything work. However, the "special" substrates certainly make it a LOT easier and more likely that a wider variety of plants will grow in your tank (so I guess I also agree with Karnaaj).

 

[pbecot01]

Thanks guys I have plants growing like crazy in a ten gallon tank with stock lighting, gravel substrate, and no fertilization or CO2 lol.

I'm probably gonna go with sand since I like the way it looks... I'm still debating on having a layer of flourite underneath it... you hear so many conflicting things on the internet lol, about sand being cloudy or not for example... all that seems certain is that if I DO layer it, the flourite will eventually migrate to the top and I'll have to put more sand in. Seems like something that could get out of hand...

If I can get flourite cheap, I'll probably put it in since it may help. Any sources?

 

[Harlock]

If you worry that sand is cloudy, look at my tank (link in sig). That pic was snapped about 6-8 hours after a 50% water change and me intentionally stirring up the sand to get anything that had gotten buried over by my cories while they snuffle for food. Heck, check out the full size picture here. I think you'll agree, with proper filtration, sand isn't cloudy.

For cheap Flourite, Big Al's is having a sale. Something like 12 bucks a bag, you may call and ask about shipping though, as it is a heavier item.

 

[Swimfins]

I hven't used eco-complete or floritie in my 66g planted tank. Trying to keep costs down, I bought 5 pounds of 'terralit', (see the website) used this as a base under 70 pounds of volcanic detritus and medium aquarium gravel mixed 20/80. Plants are doing well. http://www.aquariumpros.com/aquaprostore/prods/AQBTRL1.shtml

 

[illiswiller]

What about Shultz's aquatic potting soil (AKA Profle)??? I read some specs on it and flourite...they sounded the same? And it's much cheaper. I'm a total newbie though. Maybe someone can correct me