First Layer Laterite

[Bloo]

I just bought 1.5kg of first layer laterite (for my 19 gallon).
I was warned that this will require a lot of washing, but come on - 2 hours ??
I washed a cupful at a time in a flour sieve (murky brown soup ran solidly for 5 minutes on each cupful and then a further 10 minutes until seemingly clear) - then I put the whole lot of "washed" laterite in a bucket and thought I'd just give it one more rinse.
Wrong !!
It's all still just brown soup I stuck the showerhead on full blast and it's been running for a good hour or so - and still brown. As soon as it looks clear, I give it a stir and then it just goes brown again. Is this right ? Am I really supposed to wash it this long and this well ?

 

[Jen]

This happened to me as well. I was worried for a while and washed and washed for quite a while. I decided to add it anyway. Because there is a layer of sand on top, none of the murky-ness gets through. I don't know what will happen with gravel if you ar3e going that route.

 

[emo]

I was wondering about this also, George told me I would have to give it a good wash before putting it in the tank... I didn't know quite how much washing it would need! But I will be using sand, so fingers crossed.

Good luck, and let us know how you get on.

 

[zig]

Its messy stuff there is no doubt, i cant remember how long i had to wash mine but i do remember it was a long time, i also remember thinking will there be anything left to put in the tank by the time im finished.

But its good stuff ive grown a full carpet of hairgrass on mine (where many have failed.....Re. Hairgrass thread lol) with no problems, and other plants have huge roots so something is working, and i doubt its the gravel alone.

The only consolation bloozoo is that the rest is easy.......making beautiful aquascapes, keeping the tank algae free etc

 

[kenneth_kpe]

i should look for this stuff around here !! im forced to used commercial products (like sera floredepot), other choices would be nice

The laterite you guys purchased ? are they pre packed ? or are they like gravel where you could find it basically everywhere ?

 

[WendyinWichita]

I guess I am just lazy, though I also thought that if I washed it a lot it would just all run down the drain. I rinsed mine the same as gravel, it was still murky though not like chocolate. Then scooped it into the tank (already established, so layering on the top of existing gravel). I gave it a stir, replanted the plants and let it go. It took the HOB filter about 20 mins to clear the tank. I just put laterite in a third tank, so I don't worry about the murkyness anymore. Oh, I left all of the fish in the tank during the process as well, and no problems. It was probably less stressful for them since they couldn't see my arm in the tank!

 

[offutt_chris]

sorry dont mean to hijack your topic here, but i have just one quick question. what exactly is laterite? i understand what it does, but is it a certian kind of rock, or substance that you can buy at a landscaping place so you do not have to pay so much at the highly over priced fish stores?

 

[Bloo]

sorry dont mean to hijack your topic here, but i have just one quick question. what exactly is laterite? i understand what it does, but is it a certian kind of rock, or substance that you can buy at a landscaping place so you do not have to pay so much at the highly over priced fish stores?

This is what it looks like :

and this is what the box looks like :

And at $13.99 for 55oz (1oz per gallon needed) it's a heck of a lot cheaper in the US !

 

[George Farmer]

Hi Antonet

I've managed to get net access again - briefly.

You won't need to wash it so the water runs completely clear - you'll be there all day (and night) otherwise.

When I used it I rinsed off the main until the water ran a pale orange colour - like a weak tea. The top layer of "plain" substrate should prevent too much leeching. As discussed before, a little leeching won't be a problem as long as you have plenty of plant bio-mass and growth, this will deal with any excess nutrients.

 

[Bloo]

Hi Antonet

I've managed to get net access again - briefly.

You won't need to wash it so the water runs completely clear - you'll be there all day (and night) otherwise.

When I used it I rinsed off the main until the water ran a pale orange colour - like a weak tea. The top layer of "plain" substrate should prevent too much leeching. As discussed before, a little leeching won't be a problem as long as you have plenty of plant bio-mass and growth, this will deal with any excess nutrients.

Thanks George ! My Dennerle black quartz should arrive today too - and I now have my heater cable as well. So this weekend is going to see a major overhaul

 

[George Farmer]

Great stuff. The black quartz shouldn't need rinsing, mine didn't.

Bear in mind you may need an extension lead for your heater cable. Will you be using a timer to regulate the heat. I recommend running it through the night - unless you take the DIY stat route.

I look forward to seeing updates in your journal.

 

[xautomaticflowersx]

I wouldn't have thought it would ever run clear after washing, no matter how long you're there, because it's made of a sort of clay?
It's good stuff though, I have it in one of my tanks.