Substrate?

G

Genhawk

AC Members
Mar 12, 2007
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I ended up with a 29g tank instead of the 20 I originally intended... :)

I was thinking of using Flourite as substrate but that much of it will be really expensive, so instead I wanted to mix it 50/50 with something else, but I'm not sure what else to use or where to get it.

I'm also not quite sure how much substrate total I'll need, or how deep it should be? The tank is a 30" long rectangle one.

I'm hoping to be planting some of the "easy" plants that get repeatedly recommended here (java fern, hornwort, anacharis, anubius, etc).

Any advice is greatly appreciated!
 
If you're planning to grow java fern, hornwort, anacharis, and anubias then you don't need Flourite. None of those plants are heay root feeders and will be fine just floating or weighed down.

About the only low light plants that would benefit from a plant substrate are crypts, then you'd want a small grained gravel smaller than pea size. A root tab should be all they need.

For substrate depth, around 2" in the middle and 3" in the back should make it easy to plant. Java fern, hornwort, and anubias you don't plant but tie down to something like driftwood or rocks. The java fern and anubias will grow roots that will hold onto the object, the hornwort have no roots and will need to stay tied down.
 
I have a 29 gal with flourite . I got a 20# bag of flourite and 20-25# bag gavel and gave me 2.5-3 inches of substrate.
 
You could also go with a two zone substrate using the flourite for planting and a substrate like sand to provide contrast.
 
I got a bucket of Aquariumplants.com 'proprietary' substrate. Its black, and my cryps, anubias, quatrafolia are doing very well in it. It comes in a 5 gal pail which is more than enough for 3" coverage in your tank. I think it cost about $45 with shipping to VA.
 
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