can i mix these subtrates?

[penguinpimp1990]

i am going to start my first planted tank (55 gallons) soon and i was wondering if i can mix the following subtrates: 20 pounds of Eco- Complete 30 pounds of Flourite and 75 ounces (roughly 5 pounds) of First layer pure laterite. When I say mix Im asking if i can take all of these gravels and put them in the tank, and mix them all up into one base gravel. Then can i put about 40 pounds of normal gravel on top of it so i dont have a multi colored gravel?

 

[zig]

Yeah that should be no problem, its a first on me lol !!

Id try and use a small grain gravel to go on the top layer, just to allow for easier rooting by the plants, but you may find that it will all get mixed up eventually anyway, but i cant think of a reason why not, all in their own right are good substrates for planted tanks, try and aim for around 2-3 inches depth.

It should be an interesting mix !!!

 

[penguinpimp1990]

anyone else with some thoughts, also im not mixing gravels to be creative or a pain in the butt, im mixing them because my lfs had a wonderful sale on plant items, and i saw the plant subtrates at GREAT prices and decided to pick up a few but the above mentioned subtrates were the only ones left

 

[rdd1952]

I don't see any problem with mixing them if your talking about them working well for plants. As for not having a multi-color substrate, covering it with regular gravel may or may not work. Eventually, the larger gravel will make it's way to the top. If the gravel you put on the top is already larger, you won't have any problems. If not, the larger gravel will eventually begin to show through. You may also have a problem hiding all of it around the edges of the tank where you can see the gravel through the glass.