2" Deep Enough?

[Ginge]

I think im gonna end up with about 2" of ada substrate is that enough?
If i put black graval under the ada soil will fish be able to move the ada soil around and expose the black graval?

Stocking may includs any of the following
Angel fish
Neons
RTBS
Harlequins
BN plecs
Ottos
Rams

 

[craynerd]

Hi friend,

I wouldn`t put anything under AS since it will eventually work its way to the top without any help from the fish.

I set my tank up, fingers crossed, tomorrow. All i am adding is a layer Mulm and peat, no other ADA substrate.

2" seems reasonable. Remember, imo most aquascapes look good with a strong slope from front to back, imo, the front should be about 2" and the back deeper. Don`t skimp.

THe link below is by CAU but using ADA`s offical guide for how much AS to use:

http/translate.google.com/translate?sour...r%26Itemid%3D43

good luck with it mate.

Regards

Chris

 

[planter]

Hi friend,

I wouldn`t put anything under AS since it will eventually work its way to the top without any help from the fish.

I set my tank up, fingers crossed, tomorrow. All i am adding is a layer Mulm and peat, no other ADA substrate.

2" seems reasonable. Remember, imo most aquascapes look good with a strong slope from front to back, imo, the front should be about 2" and the back deeper. Don`t skimp.

THe link below is by CAU but using ADA`s offical guide for how much AS to use:

http/translate.google.com/translate?sour...r%26Itemid%3D43

good luck with it mate.

Regards

Chris

Just took a look at the link you provided !!! WOWOWOWOWW I am BLOOWWN AWAY!

Planter

 

[Ginge]

Thanks sounds like some good advice mate you have seen the cau tanks right? I will seperate the substrate the same way with balck sand around an area that wont be planted. Its just i am short for cash ATM and am not sure if i really want to spend that much on substrate TBH but i think i will go for 3 bags of ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia and a bag of black sand.

To get the sloping effect without the price of lots of bags do you think i could lay down an item such as evaporation trays sloping at the back of the tank?

I am going away on the 18th and as i am dosing Ei and this is my first planted tank i dont really want to set the tank up before i go away so will start as soon as i get back.

 

[craynerd]

Thanks sounds like some good advice mate you have seen the cau tanks right?

CAU are by far my biggest inspiration.

I would suggest two ideas both of which i have seen done by CAU members.
Personally, I would not try the idea of creating a "fake" sloping base by using evaporation trays. Instead, try one of these methods.

1) V simple, have a layer of largish rocks towards the back of the tank and place substrate above them .You will be surprised how much room they take up and therefore reduce the need for as much Aquasoil.

2) Much more unusual. I think zig recommended it to me once, and then I recently saw it done on a CAU journal. Basically, using ladies tights, fill them up with substrate and use these "bags of substrate" at the back of the tank and place the AS above similar to the idea of rocks, just more easily molded into position. Now when I saw CAU do it, they used AS in the bags, i am 99% sure you could use any substrate, like cheap gravel. This has the advantage of just putting in the gravel straight underneath the Aquasoil since it will stop migration (i.e what we were talking about before, the gravel coming to the surface through the AS).

IMO, both these two ideas have an big advantage over your idea of a sloping make shift base, i.e like u said, using evap. trays, because these two methods will also make the slope more sturdy and stop it leveling out as much due to the natural water flow/circulation in the tank (topography).

Hope that helps.
Let me know what you decide to do.

Good luck

Chris

 

[Ginge]

Thanks again mate you are a great help i will do idea 2 because i already have a tank full of sand i dont just wanna chuck out as everything costs money thanks alot mate think i will order 3 bags then.

 

[netcode]

Its just i am short for cash ATM and am not sure if i really want to spend that much on substrate

Only use soil in areas that will include plants. You can save some money that way.

Also is 2" a combination of both the gravel and the substrate.. because if so I would suggest a little more. In my experience roots like to have a good amount of room to grab hold and grow.

As for the sloping issue(if your using a 2" layer of substrate that is) why not just add more gravel instead of more substrate..i mean just because there is a slope doesn't mean the height needs to be created by the substrate..

and my question to you is why would you put gravel UNDER substrate? doesn't substrate need to go UNDER gravel?


one more thing does anyone have a hard time understanding that website? seems to me the translation turns it into jibberish

 

[Ginge]

Nope i dont want the ada soil and graval mixing as it looks poo so i wont put loose graval underneath i will use the idea mentioned above.

 

[craynerd]

and my question to you is why would you put gravel UNDER substrate? doesn't substrate need to go UNDER gravel?

You have confused me no end, gravel is a type of substrate!? Substrate is a generic term for the "stuff" that you put at the bottom of the tank. i presume u are refering to substrate as ADA aquasoil ? if so no, Aquasoil is a "all-in-one" substrate, you can use it alone or with a substrate fertiliser. It certainly isn`t a sub fert itself and shouldn`t be used under a non-nutrient rich substrate like gravel or sand. i`m sure you could, but why you would want to!

As for the sloping issue(if your using a 2" layer of substrate that is) why not just add more gravel instead of more substrate..i mean just because there is a slope doesn't mean the height needs to be created by the substrate..

Ginge has already answered, if you use something like gravel and AS (aquasoil), using the gravel to build up the back slope, it eventually works its way up through the AS and looks messy. This actually has been commented on a few times re: ADA powersand, which is of course designed to go under AS !!!

one more thing does anyone have a hard time understanding that website? seems to me the translation turns it into jibberish

Well it isn`t straight forward, but after a minute or two i realised what all the functions where, i don`t find it that difficult. Its a fantastic tool well worth the time to learn

Regards

Chris

 

[netcode]

if so no, Aquasoil is a "all-in-one" substrate, you can use it alone or with a substrate fertiliser. It certainly isn`t a sub fert itself and shouldn`t be used under a non-nutrient rich substrate like gravel or sand. i`m sure you could, but why you would want to!

I never realized it was an all-in-one substrate. I always thought it was something you put under the gravel/sand and plant roots would be off it. I also thought it floated.

I really don't know much about substrates, i have never really used them.

So i guess just ignore my nonsense


And ya that website is amazing. those people that put together those tanks are just great at what they do. I really love the "castle walls" tank.. i am sure thats not even the proper translation as the inspiration image is of rolling hills

 

[craynerd]

No problem netcode. i was just a bit confused thats all.

The CAU site is well worth a troll around, the guys are really FAB!

Basically, Aquasoil is a substrate that you can place at the bottom of the aquarium and plant directly into it.

I think you thought it was, whats know as a substrate fertiliser, something that you put under a substrate as additional plant fert.

ADA (who make aquasoil) do make a substrate fetiliser for AquaSoil, called powersand (there are a few other products as well actually). Lots of people swear by the combination, but AS is so nutrient rich it can be used alone with correct water colomn fertilisation. This was my meaning of an all-in-one, basically, there isn`t a need to mix it with anything else.

I really don't know much about substrates, i have never really used them.

I am sure thats not true. Like i say substrate is a generic term for the "stuff" you put at the bottom of a tank. I`m sure you have used sand or gravel in the past, well these are also substrates!
Aquasoil is just another substrate, a bit more specialised for good plant growth!!

Hope that helps mate.

Chris

 

[madcaow]

if only i could afford the $300 i need to fill my tank with ADA soil!

blimey.

edit: wow i somehow managed to register on that CAU site. some amazing looking tanks in there!!

 

[craynerd]

hehe, its depressing when u work out the cost for its recommended volume!!!

Splash out d00d, its nearly christmas either that or the mrs will only spend it !!! i am sure she would much rather have 12l of AS than a new dress

chris

 

[madcaow]

huhuh

it's either $300 on some fancy dirt or $300 on records!!

i'm lucky she doesnt wear dresses!

 

[madcaow]

although i will buy her a present just cos she is awesome.