Happy Christmas

[Ste_J]

Firsty Happy Christmas all

Now on to the 10 pointer

Have managed to talk santa into buying me a new setup consisting of a 48 15 18, a double interpet compact starter and a couple of 55w tubes and a 15w Vectron UV steriliser

So all in all I now have 165W of daylight +, a JBL Co2 and UV - tank is going to be planted so I have got myself some laterite [ 40 oz ] At the moment I am using a sand substrate but didn't add any laterite so my plants are suffering a bit, but I was wondering if anybody could suggest any reason why I would want to switch from sand?

The laterite states 1oz per USG so i reckon I have under bought by 16oz ? Would this make a massize difference? Do i need to get any more?

Other than sand I have the option of getting some Aquamedic Volcanit which i have used in the past and actually quite like the look of, would this be ok to use with a layer of laterite? I believe that the Volcanit has 10% ferrolit in there which is Iron based - would this be an issue as i believe that ferrolit is derived from Laterite?

End game is a stable planted tank that would recieve 50% water changes per week and a spring clean at the same time, so far sand has been very nice although the surface never really stays clean so i hoover the surface and recycle the sand.


Sorry to be a pain with this and I have spent many an hour trawling via the search but I am having problems deciding. I want this tank to be right from the start especially since it's so big and don't want to be swtching substrate in another couple of months.

/off to work on the hood again


Thanks

Ste

 

[George Farmer]

Substrate is a very personal choice IME. With so many to choose from and so many variables in one another's tanks, saying one is better than another is hard to justify.

Many have success with sand and laterite - Lateral Line (another plant mod) for one. It is possible to add laterite to an established tank. Use a hollowed out yogurt pot or similar, insert into sand, siphon out sand, add laterite, replace sand. If you have an idea where you intend to plant your heaviest root-feeding plants then concentrate the laterite in these areas. If you use this technique then your 40oz should be plenty.

Merry Christmas to you - and an algae-free 2006!

 

[Jen]

I use laterite and sand, and have had no problems apart from the odd bit of it making it's way to the surface if I vacuum too deep.

 

[Ste_J]

I use laterite and sand, and have had no problems apart from the odd bit of it making it's way to the surface if I vacuum too deep.

Yeah I really like my sand setup at the moment but I was just concerned that the plants would not get enough goodness. Did you stick to the reccomended level of Laterite i.e. 1oz to 1USG ? with the amountof Laterite that I have i am going to be just under.

Agghhhh I hate this part

 

[Jen]

I bought 2 large packages... I think they were 50 oz. So I have more than needed, but only by a little bit.

I wouldnt really worry about being under too much. IF you do as George suggested and try to localize the laterite where the plants will be, then it won't be a big issue. I have it under my wood, and I doubt the plants roots get to it.