Commercial Gravel Additives

Hi dave, this is so helpful, ive been searching for ages for this kind of info, probably been there all the time just needed someone to bring it to the fore. Can i put eco complete on the bottom and then cover with gravel and sand, if i was to rely on fish waste etc what wattage of lighting would you recommend, and thanks for a real alternative carbon source (i dont really wanna go down pressurised route if i can help it), kind regards for taking the time - robert. :D
 
hmmm, I think ill see if I can achieve a heavily planted (but small) aquarium just using laterite with sand and the 2 products listed above, after researching Co2 it just seems to complex, just measuring the levels sounds a mission :(
 
Robbie,

Eco Complete is intended to be used on its own, and looks pretty good that way. If you are wanting a specific look from your substrate, there are several types that go beneath sand, gravel etc.

In terms of light levels, if you just go with <1.5WPG you should be fine, but this is real generalisation due to the WPG rule being full of holes. Plus, larger tanks need proportionally less wattage to be considered high light, compared to smaller tanks.

SJ2K,

I just read your 4dKH thread on the planted forum. Either you can buy some from AE, or make it up like I do. Fortunately for me, I have access to a lab and high grade RO water, so it is easy. I should make up a large batch of the stuff and make it available through UKAPS.

I think you could both benefit from the read below, showing how simple it can all be:

http://www.fishforums.net/content/forum/19...ed-Dosing-It-3/

You`ll be knocking out tanks like this in no time (it`s not mine, of course :sad: :

2007-contest8_original.jpg


Dave.
 
I think I may finally be getting my head around this whole C02 thing (made simpler when solutions are available, pre-bottled for morons like me :p)...Who knows, I may be learning :) LOL
 
Hi, so grateful again, before i begin please just check that i have not left anything out, substrate - laterine (or any other commercial product ?)mixed with gravel covered with white sand, carbon additive - flourish excell, light 1.5 watts per gallon, trace elements tropica plant nutrition, hopefully this is everything - regards robert. :D
 
If what ive learnt is correct then that sounds good to me :good: a little journal of your experience would be nice too!
 
Hi, have you used laterite before?, in what proportions do you use it? what i mean is, do i mix it with sand and if so in what proportion or can i put a layer on the bottom, say 1 inch and simply cover it with sand - thanks so much for continued support, encouragement and help - regards robert. :D
 
From what ive read, most people will have about 1-3cm of laterite mixed with sand/gravel then 2 of pure sand/gravel on top to get a nice finish :)
 
i think eco-compleat is best though, looks great in my new tank and the plants look happy too (just need to install my CO2 now....)
 
hi, from what i have read eco complete has everything plants require, but its the look, if you like dark substrata then thats ok, but if you want sand then what ? The question i would like anyone to consider is this - Laterine is obviously beneficial loads of iron etc, does it contain nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium or any of the smaller trace elements Fe, Zn, Mg, Mn, S, B etc. I know eco complete has them all but its the look that attracts me to using laterine mixed with silver sand. If it does not contain any of these elememnts then what is the best way to enrich the substrate with them. Notice i say the substrate and not the water coloumn as i have a feeling , although unfounded that adding elements to the water coloumn could produce algae whereas if you enrich the substrate it goes directly to the plant roots - regards robert. :D
 

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