Q1 - Black Sand? Which One?

[phishyphil]

QUESTION 1

Okay, So Looking at changing my Sand in my 4' 75G Tank to Black sand. However due to the amount I would need with it being a larger tank, I am looking for the cheapest option. Which sand would be good to use and not burn a HUGE hole in my wallet

I Know there T. Moon Sand, But this stuff aint Cheap enough If needs be I would have to go for this.

QUESTION 2
I intend to have a thin Layer of organic Dirt under the substrate (around 0.5", Can I add Iron Powder into this mix to five my roots more nutrients for the heavy root feeders e.g. Echinodorus Bleheri? Something like this - LINK -

 

[ian]

Q1...If your heart is set on black sand then i would go for something like this
http/www.seapets.co.uk/products/aquarium-supplies/aquarium-ornaments/natural-gravels-and-sand/aquarium-plant-substrates/caribsea-eco-complete-substrate.html?ref=googlebase
at least it contains some trace elements. Even better i would go for the aquasoils...it depends on how much you want to spend.

Q2...Iron powder is a thing of the past in a planted tank really, the layer of compost is a good idea though. Iron powders aren't really used much now in planted tanks as the aquasoils contain everything needed, including N&P. Also, there really isn't such thing as a heavy root feeder. Most of these supposed heavy root feeders use the long roots as an anchor when the floods happen in nature. Don't get me wrong, plants will use their roots to feed, but will use their leaves just as much, so if the water column is dosed enough, the plants shouldn't have a problem.

 

[creg]

^ i have that in my 60l it looks very nice and natural too and didnt need rinsing

 

[SO19Firearms]

Have you looked at Unipac Limpopo black sand? 16squid for 12.5KG @ AquaEssentials

Q2...Iron powder is a thing of the past in a planted tank really, the layer of compost is a good idea though. Iron powders aren't really used much now in planted tanks as the aquasoils contain everything needed, including N&P. Also, there really isn't such thing as a heavy root feeder. Most of these supposed heavy root feeders use the long roots as an anchor when the floods happen in nature. Don't get me wrong, plants will use their roots to feed, but will use their leaves just as much, so if the water column is dosed enough, the plants shouldn't have a problem.

^^ This ^^

As it's the look you're going for you could put a thin layer of a clay based substrate under your sand and use the CEC of this to hold nutrients.
Another option is Osmocote or Root Plugs

 

[phishyphil]

Q1...If your heart is set on black sand then i would go for something like this
http/www.seapets.co.uk/products/aquarium-supplies/aquarium-ornaments/natural-gravels-and-sand/aquarium-plant-substrates/caribsea-eco-complete-substrate.html?ref=googlebase
at least it contains some trace elements. Even better i would go for the aquasoils...it depends on how much you want to spend.

Q2...Iron powder is a thing of the past in a planted tank really, the layer of compost is a good idea though. Iron powders aren't really used much now in planted tanks as the aquasoils contain everything needed, including N&P. Also, there really isn't such thing as a heavy root feeder. Most of these supposed heavy root feeders use the long roots as an anchor when the floods happen in nature. Don't get me wrong, plants will use their roots to feed, but will use their leaves just as much, so if the water column is dosed enough, the plants shouldn't have a problem.

How much of the Caribsea Eco complete would I neet for a 4' Tank by 18"? Im thinking this would cost me a BOMB!

Have you looked at Unipac Limpopo black sand? 16squid for 12.5KG @ AquaEssentials

Q2...Iron powder is a thing of the past in a planted tank really, the layer of compost is a good idea though. Iron powders aren't really used much now in planted tanks as the aquasoils contain everything needed, including N&P. Also, there really isn't such thing as a heavy root feeder. Most of these supposed heavy root feeders use the long roots as an anchor when the floods happen in nature. Don't get me wrong, plants will use their roots to feed, but will use their leaves just as much, so if the water column is dosed enough, the plants shouldn't have a problem.

^^ This ^^

As it's the look you're going for you could put a thin layer of a clay based substrate under your sand and use the CEC of this to hold nutrients.
Another option is Osmocote or Root Plugs

So for this I could have a ).5-1" Layer of compost, with osmocote mixed in and capped with limpopo, Would this be a healthy base for great plant growth?

 

[SO19Firearms]

So for this I could have a ).5-1" Layer of compost, with osmocote mixed in and capped with limpopo, Would this be a healthy base for great plant growth?

The theory's sound. Maybe hold off on the Osmocote and let the Compost do it's thing - Add other stuff if you need it.

 

[phishyphil]

Ahh Excellent, will certainly look into this now, im excited

 

[minnnt]

The Limpopo is what i have... Looks great!!

 

[phishyphil]

The Limpopo is what i have... Looks great!!

Looks Brilliant to be honest. Its going to cost me £65 Quid to get enough to cover my tank in a 2" Spread plus 1" Dirt substrate underneath

 

[minnnt]

TBH mate, one 25kg bag should be enough to blind the compost...

 

[phishyphil]

Would it not need more to stop the compost coming through the Limpopo?

 

[minnnt]

Possibly so... But £65 seems excessive. Mine cost me £20 for a 25kilo bag.

 

[phishyphil]

What measurements your Tank Minnnt, and what depth substrate did you go with? Oh and Where did you get your limpopo from?

 

[minnnt]

It came from my LFS.

In my planted 180 (3ft) it's roughly 2"... which is a great depth for planting in. Nothing comes loose... so to speak!

Also have the same substrate in my 4ft and its something like 1-1.5" You can buy it in 2.5kg bags to 'top it up' or 12.5kg bags and 25kg bags. Maybe do 37.5kg?

 

[phishyphil]

Yeah, Just cant find the 25Kg Bags. A.Essentials only do the 12.5 Kg stuff, and due to what I need I would rather buy in bulk with the 25Kg. will need to keep my eyes peeled I think.