Substrate Questions

[middie26]

I found a TON of information on this site about changing the substrate (mainly found on mollielover's guide) and wanted to confirm/ask a few things...

I just changed my gravel from regular dull white to a better looking blue mix. I kept some of the white for the purposes of bacteria, so it's a nice color. However, I wanted to start looking into live plants which to me, means a change in substrate.

From what I've been able to find, my substrate change would basically mean the entire removal of gravel while there's about 6-8 inches of water. Put the sand in (can get some Estes sand), but then here's where I'm stuck..

What other substrate(s) is needed for plant growth? I saw flourite and also eco-complete. Any ideas on which one is better? Also, is the substrate layered on the bottom of the sand or can it be mixed in with the sand?

Finally, I use a python to clean the water. From what I've read, I'm not supposed to put the vacuum piece into the sand itself, but rather keep it just off the surface.. Correct?

Is there any way I can possibly ask more questions?

[domjd05]

I found a TON of information on this site about changing the substrate (mainly found on mollielover's guide) and wanted to confirm/ask a few things...

I just changed my gravel from regular dull white to a better looking blue mix. I kept some of the white for the purposes of bacteria, so it's a nice color. However, I wanted to start looking into live plants which to me, means a change in substrate.

From what I've been able to find, my substrate change would basically mean the entire removal of gravel while there's about 6-8 inches of water. Put the sand in (can get some Estes sand), but then here's where I'm stuck..

What other substrate(s) is needed for plant growth? I saw flourite and also eco-complete. Any ideas on which one is better? Also, is the substrate layered on the bottom of the sand or can it be mixed in with the sand?

Finally, I use a python to clean the water. From what I've read, I'm not supposed to put the vacuum piece into the sand itself, but rather keep it just off the surface.. Correct?

Is there any way I can possibly ask more questions?


You can ask all the questions you'd like.. lol.

If you going to keep you fish IN the tank while you do a substrate change, than yes you'll want a few inches of water in there for them, but if not, go ahead and drain it.

Flourite tends to make the water a bit cloudy at first, but flourite and eco-complete are both great plant substrates. I think flourite is the only one of the 2 that comes in a sand though..

If you use the gravel flourite or eco complete, it will eventually mix with the sand no matter what.

Keep in mind that with proper fertilization, lighting and upkeep, many planted tank enthusiast will tell you that the plant substrates are a waste of money, it all depends on how many and what kind of plants you are looking to use.

There are also debates on what works better in a planted tank, sand or gravel, but the the majority will tell you, unless your doing a very heavily planted tank, either should do just fine. Again, your lighting and fert. supplementation as well as water quality is really more important than the substrate.

Yes when using a gravel vac you can hold it just about an inch off the surface... sometimes swirling it slightly will help, its easy once you get used of it. Don't worry about sucking up a little sand (unless its going down you sink... then you might want to be a little more conscientious of that)

[rich311k]

If you are going for a low tech setup then any smaller sized gravel or sand will do the job. I always remove the fish when changing substrates, just makes the whole job easier.

[middie26]

Thanks, guys.. I would definitely remove the fish first.. The only trick is getting the pleco out. Sucker can move and he's kinda big!

Anyway, can I use just the eco-complete (say about 3 inches or so) or do I need sand or gravel in there as well?

[Northernguy]

I agree. Just drain the water down to about four inches after you remove the decor and everything.Put the fish in a bucket and catch the faster fish after the water is drained.
You will get done so much faster.

[rich311k]

Anyway, can I use just the eco-complete (say about 3 inches or so) or do I need sand or gravel in there as well?

Just eco is fine. I have it in several tanks.

[Sarkazmo]

Eco-Complete is AWESOME! I'm actually regretting going with sand in my Red Cherry Shrimp tank as the EC supplies so much to the plants so I have to dose that tank pretty heavily to make up for the lack of minerals from the EC.

You can mix Flourite Sand with EC. Black EC and Black Flourite Sand mix pretty well from what I've seen and I'm actually planning on doing this in the future.

Here's a pic of my community tank with Black EC.

Sark

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

The tank is a 10G with the left 1/3rd of the tank being Estees Ultra Reef sand the the right 2/3rds being Eco-Complete. I dose Flourish Excel daily, Flourish twice a week, and Flourish Trace and Iron weekly. I use two 26W GE 6500k "Daylight" CFL bulbs from Wal-Mart in $6 Aluminum Clamp Lamp reflectors. I think it does pretty well. ;)

[sheamurai]

that looks great. I'm so jealous of planted tanks. I tried my hand at a couple of plants, but they just made my tank a green soupy mess. I don't quite want to spend the $$ required on refitting that tank with a new canopy in order to accomodate the new lights that plants seem to require.
But I can picture that tank planted and green...some day...maybe next fall...