Could I Add A Nutrient Rich Substrate To My Tank While It Is Full?

[Ben M]

hi i have a 4ft tank and would like to add a nutrient rich substrate. would it be possible to add some to the tank when it is full, in the places that i am planting. if so, i have seen that you can use cat litter but is this as effective and totally safe and how long will it last?

thanks

 

[aaronnorth]

yes, if you buy a stand alone substrate something such as eco complete which is like a gravel.

cat litter is clay so it clouds very badly, which is why it needs capping with gravel/ sand.

 

[Neo8223]

I wouldnt use cat litter. I tried it once. It swells up and gets everywhere. Clouds up the water like a "BEEEP" too. Im quite interested in this subject as im about to set up a 4 foot tank myself.

 

[Ben M]

hi, my tank is fully setup so i couldn't empty it, but i want to keep the gravel so could i just add a stand alone substrate to the parts that i am planting or would it be cheaper to add fert tabs?

also, how long would the stand alone substrate provide nutrients for the plants?

thanks

 

[aaronnorth]

nearly all substrates can take nutrients out of the water column to provide them to the roots, so they will last years, it is just in some cases the substrate can break down.

long term it is cheaper to add a substrate, root tabs are usually added every 3-6months depending on the speed of growth.

 

[Ben M]

thanks, could you suggest a relatively cheap, good type that i can add to my full tank that should last for years?

cheers