How Much Substrate?

[ATK!!!]

How many bags of Eco complete substrate (9kg/20lbs) would I need to cover a Juwel rio 180 bearing in mind it would have a 3d background at the back. I'm not sure how thick it should be layered so advice would be appreciated! Also would I need to put anything over the top of it (sand) or would it work better without anything else.

Any help would be great!

 

[matt_storey]

buy 3 bags, you'll probably need 2 and a bit for a nice couple inch covering, the left over bag can be used for topping up

 

[StandbySetting]

You'll need 3-4 bags, for a planted set up you want about 4-6cm from front to back, each bag is about 5 litres.

 

[Proxo]

Took me 2 bags of playsand (15kg bags i think) maybe a little more, to fill a fluval 240.
Might give you a rough idea, idk lol.

 

[ATK!!!]

Thanks everyone, I'll get 3 then. Do you think I should get sand to go over the top or not?

 

[ATK!!!]

I think I'll just go with the substrate, I've already reached my budget of £500 and I think the tank will look better with a dark bottom anyway. Thanks for all the info everyone!

 

[nicolaisam]

I have just used about 25kg in my new Rio 180.

 

[ATK!!!]

I have just used about 25kg in my new Rio 180.

25kgs of what? How thick is the substrate? Sounds like quite a lot to me, I'm going to stick with 3 9 kg bags, but then only use 2 and a bit and then save the rest of it for when it starts to compact

 

[Smells a bit fishy]

My smaller tank, slightly smaller than a rio 180 took 25kg of sand. If that's any help

 

[brian2708]

Are you buying new or second hand? Some fish tank bargains can be had on ebay!

 

[ATK!!!]

I am a firm believer in buying things new so I would much rather get tank from other websites (even if it does cost £100 more ish ). Thanks for the replies everyone, I think I might use all 3 bags now!

 

[StandbySetting]

There are many cheaper alternatives, Akadama for example, or you could go for the basic cat litter and gravel route.

 

[nicolaisam]

I have just used about 25kg in my new Rio 180.

25kgs of what? How thick is the substrate? Sounds like quite a lot to me, I'm going to stick with 3 9 kg bags, but then only use 2 and a bit and then save the rest of it for when it starts to compact

I used Crystal Quartz gravel,its black,looks very nice
Its about 30 mm deep at the front and 60mm in places at the back

 

[ATK!!!]

Thanks for the reply nicolaisam! Even though the Akadama seems alright I really like the look/size of grains of the eco complete stuff, thanks for mentioning it anyway Standby Setting