Colombo Flora-Base Below Sand Substrate?

[Creature Seeker]

Hello, I'm in the process of trying to upgrade my tank conditions to help the plants thrive.

It was reccommended to me to purchase a bag of Colombo Flora-Base.

Now can I put a layer of this below a top layer of Caribsea Tahitain Moon Sand?

Also I've heard it can leech ammonia into the tank when first implemented. If this is the case, shall I first soak it in water for a week or so to try and get rid of some of the ammonia?

Your thoughts are very welcome.

 

[RadaR]

Now can I put a layer of this below a top layer of Caribsea Tahitain Moon Sand?

Why would you want to? To bulk it out? It's sold as a substrate to be used on it's own. I've only ever seen it used that way, myself included.
I guess there would be no harm.

Also I've heard it can leech ammonia into the tank when first implemented. If this is the case, shall I first soak it in water for a week or so to try and get rid of some of the ammonia?

If you have a mature filter and carry out water changes per day then you shouln't notice any ammonia readings. I didn't notice any.

 

[Creature Seeker]

There are two reasons why I want to put a layer of moon sand on top.

1. I love the look of the black sand and don't really want to change the appearance.

2. I have burrowing fish that like to burrow in the sand, and also fish wish sensitive snouts and bellies.

If there was no considerable difference in the visual impact, then I wouldn't use a top layer of black sand. The pack of Flora-Base I have is labelled as Black but it looks more brown to me. Does this look black when wet? Also what consistency does it take when wet? I know I could just open it and check, but I would rather not open it if it is not what I am after as then I may have to return it.

Thank you.

 

[RadaR]

Well there is a brown version and a black version. But yes, it does look black in the aquarium.
The shape and size difference between this and the sand is very different. I think the sand would go lost inbetween the flora base granules.
Flora base is clay based and therefore a really nice soft substrate. It doesn't crumble up but it's so easy to plant in. Burrowing fish would not have a problem.
I really dig this substrate. Best I've used.

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Sorry was reading this and couldn't help but notice "I really dig this substrate" was the pun intended there as it made me chuckle

 

[RadaR]

Sorry was reading this and couldn't help but notice "I really dig this substrate" was the pun intended there as it made me chuckle

Aye it was

 

[Creature Seeker]

Thank you again for your reply.

Now it seems that I either have one or the other.

Do you have any photos of your tank with that substrate?

 

[RadaR]

You can do what you like. I just didnt see the need.

The tank in March.

 

[ian]

just to reiterate what RadaR say's...it's also the best planted substrate i have used. I also didn't get any noticeable ammonia spikes. Heres a pic of mine

I wouldn't cap it.

 

[Creature Seeker]

Thank you both for posting your pictures. Both are lovely tanks and looks perfectly maintained.

I can see the benefits of using this substrate, but I'm still not certain whether I like the granula look of the substrate. I may have to break the bag open and experiment!

 

[mishmash]

You can do what you like. I just didnt see the need.

The tank in March.

Is that a RIO 125 tank ? If not whats the footprint and how much florabase did you use to create that depth of substrate ? Thanks

 

[RadaR]

Yeah it's a Rio 125.
I had a small amount of black gravel in there but I used only one large bag of florabase and it did the job perfectly. It filled the tank more than I thought.

 

[ATK!!!]

One 10 kg bag? Please say yes!!!! I was thinking of using it for a rio 180 but Ianho said it would cost around £100.....

 

[RadaR]

Yeah. But like i said there was already some black unipac gravel in there. Not much though. There is a uniform depth of 2inches. Most aquascapers would prefer more substrate to create a slope towards the back of the tank. If you are happy without this then you could get away with two bags.

 

[ATK!!!]

Oooh, that'd be about £60! Not too bad I guess. I'll have to see how things go, but I'll keep this in mind.