Changing To Planted Tank

[Squirrelbuddies]

I'm almost ready to convert my 38 gallon to a planted tank. It's pretty well stripped at the moment and only has a few rocks and 4 java ferns (along with the fish). I want to do this right and not have too many "wish I had done that" thoughts after it's revamped....so any input is greatly appreciated!! This is where I'm at:

Tank size - 38 gallons - 36 inches wide
Filtration - Eheim 2213 external canister
Lighting (on order) - 75 watts
Current substrate - play sand
Current water stats: pH 7.6, KH 4, GH 5, Nitrate 10-20 ppm, phosphate 0.5-1.0ppm, temp 78F
Currently no CO2 system (DIY system on order)
Fish: rainbow fish, pearl gouramis and upside down catfish

My first question is about the substrate. I've read so much about this my head is spinning. I have laterite on order which seems to be a common first layer. I'm wondering if I should ditch the sand and use a fine gravel instead? Or could I mix the laterite with fine gravel and then use the playsand on top? (Or does that ultimately create a messy mix of sand and gravel...)

My plan is to have a lot of short plants in the front covering much of the substrate and I also want to keep my java ferns as they are very healthy. I'm still thinking about what other plants to add.

I just don't know what to do about the substrate. Thanks for reading this!

 

[pseud]

I wouldn't bother using gravel AND sand. Eventually the sand will work it's way down to the bottom and the whole effort will have been pointless.

I personally prefer to use sand, I find it easier to work with.

I started out with a 1 inch layer of sand, a 1 inch layer of flourite. Mixed it up. Then layed a one inch layer of sand on top. It's all mixed up now. Most of the sand is still on top, but anyway, my point is, it's gonna get all mixed together eventually anyway.

So I guess it's down to personal preference, cost, and wether you can be bothered to take all the sand out and put gravel back in. (personally, I'd just stick with the sand)

 

[lljdma06]

I wouldn't bother using gravel AND sand. Eventually the sand will work it's way down to the bottom and the whole effort will have been pointless.

I personally prefer to use sand, I find it easier to work with.

I started out with a 1 inch layer of sand, a 1 inch layer of flourite. Mixed it up. Then layed a one inch layer of sand on top. It's all mixed up now. Most of the sand is still on top, but anyway, my point is, it's gonna get all mixed together eventually anyway.

So I guess it's down to personal preference, cost, and wether you can be bothered to take all the sand out and put gravel back in. (personally, I'd just stick with the sand)

Flourite is very hard to rinse. Despite over three hours of rinsing, mine was cloudy for 3 weeks and I ended up tossing it. I agree with Pseud, just stick with the sand, and supplement it with a substrate fertilizer. Though, your're welcome to try the flourite. I hope you have better luck with it I.

 

[pseud]

Tip for flourite. Rinse it. Let it dry for a day or two. Then put it in the tank.

 

[Squirrelbuddies]

Ok, so is fluorite better to use than laterite? I should definitely have something below the sand, right? The playsand compacts so there would be no way for nutrients to get to the roots....and if it's heavily planted it wouldn't be practical to push fertilizer tabs into the sand every four inches in a 36 inch tank? Or do the liquid ferts make their way through the sand down to the roots?

Also, trying to sort through the logistics of the overhaul. I was thinking I could get a new 30 gallon plastic trash container and siphon the water into that, set up the filter and heater and then move the fish into their temp home. This way I could remove the substrate easily.