Nutrient Rich Substrate For Iwagumi Style Tank.

[FiSh123FiSh]

Hello all!

I'm currently planning to re-do my aquarium in an "iwagumi" style, I understand that the carpet plants are heavy root feeders so a nutrient rich substrate is needed. The question I'm stuck on is what to use? Does it need to be mixed with other substrate? Does anyone else use it and does it make a profound difference?

Thanks in advance,

Tom.

 

[RadaR]

Technically no plant is a heavy root feeder because the aquatic plants we can get can absorb as much nutrients through their leaves as they can through their roots.
A nutrient rich substrate does make things easier though with carpet plants because it's more forgiving if we miss a dose or if nutrients in the water can't get far enough down to the carpet plants.
I've seen successful planted tanks with carpet plants that are in inert soil. You just have to make sure you dose the water column well.
ADA Aqua Soil is good for carpet plants but even products such as Tropica substrate which goes under grave/sand can be used as well.

 

[FiSh123FiSh]

Thanks RadaR,

Is it worth going that extra mile and £14 and putting it in for any supplements?

Also should I think I need to buy some more substrate as I have about a 2-3cm spread of 2mm gravel in my tank at the moment that I would like to keep. I have seen tanks with little soil coloured balls, do these have a particular purpose? Or should I just top up on the gravel I already have?

Tom.

 

[RadaR]

I'd put the tropica substrate under the gravel you have in there at the moment. Then maybe top it up with some more of the same gravel to get a good depth.
I don't know what you are referring to when you mention "little soil coloured balls".

Are you talking about this sort of soil?

 

[FiSh123FiSh]

Sorry for my vague detail, I had only ever seen them on a website but they are exactly what I was trying to describe! Is this a special type or substrate?

The type of gravel I have is becoming quite rare as I got it on a special "stock clearing" offer.
But I will have to find a close match.

Thanks,

Tom

 

[RadaR]

Sorry for my vague detail, I had only ever seen them on a website but they are exactly what I was trying to describe! Is this a special type or substrate?

See here.

 

[FiSh123FiSh]

Sorry for my vague detail, I had only ever seen them on a website but they are exactly what I was trying to describe! Is this a special type or substrate?

See here.

It seems to be selling itself however it is really expensive... Is it going to make a lot of difference?

 

[RadaR]

Is it going to make a lot of difference?

See for urself.



Maybe something a bit cheaper?

I would always use a substrate like these two because Iwagumis are predominantly made up of carpet plants which do well with these kinds of substrates.

 

[FiSh123FiSh]

Ah what a good salesman you would make just about to purchase x amount of bags... which leads me onto another question... haha I bet your tired of these

If I go with the florabase substrate how much would I need? Im planning on keeping my original gravel which is 1-2mm in size (very small, angular) my dimensions are (in cm) W=35 L=80 H=46

Thanks,

Tom.

 

[RadaR]

Well this substrate is a complete substrate and isn't one that you put under gravel.
You could always mix your existing gravel with the florabase.
I'd personally get 2 bags. But because you have some gravel already (alot??) then one bag should be ok.
You want a depth of about 1-2inces at the front and 4-6inches at the back to acheive a sense of depth.
Check out the side-on picture here.
And the last picture here.

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

The Dennerle Deponitmix has done me proud so far, ~1cm under Congo sand; along with their CO[sub]2 [/sub]system.

 

[FiSh123FiSh]

Well this substrate is a complete substrate and isn't one that you put under gravel.
You could always mix your existing gravel with the florabase.
I'd personally get 2 bags. But because you have some gravel already (alot??) then one bag should be ok.
You want a depth of about 1-2inces at the front and 4-6inches at the back to acheive a sense of depth.
Check out the side-on picture here.
And the last picture here.

I think I m going to go with it... 2 bags it is I have a reasonable amount of gravel in there however I have some spare that didnt get used in the tank. I was thinking putting the soil over the gravel for the carpet plants to root onto.