Removing Flourite

[jkc]

I have just bought a new Rena Aqualife Calvados Classic 120x50 aquarium which I pick up on monday

Problem is about two months ago I completely emptied the 4ft foot that I currently have so that I could add some flourite underneath the sand and it made an amazing difference to the plant growth. I really dont want to waste it but I would much rather go with a black base to the tank this time.

I would like to use black sand (if you can get it??) with the flourite but how do I remove it from the sand currently in the bottom of my tank??

Any suggestions greatly appreciated!!

 

[Wasserpest]

I have just bought a new Rena Aqualife Calvados Classic 120x50 aquarium which I pick up on monday

Problem is about two months ago I completely emptied the 4ft foot that I currently have so that I could add some flourite underneath the sand and it made an amazing difference to the plant growth. I really dont want to waste it but I would much rather go with a black base to the tank this time.

I would like to use black sand (if you can get it??) with the flourite but how do I remove it from the sand currently in the bottom of my tank??

Any suggestions greatly appreciated!!

You could use a strainer to separate the finer sand from the coarser flourite.

Keep in mind though that smaller particles have a tendency to move downwards in your substrate mix, coarser end up on top. So your idea of using black sand on top of flourite might lead to some issues down the road. Pulling up plants, planting them, digging fish etc can all lead to flourite coming up from the bottom, eventually ruining your all black floor...

 

[Themuleous]

Hi Jkc

You could always just used eco-complete for the substrate? It's already black and so you could just use that and nothing else? It also comes pre-washed so you dont have to spend hours cleaning it like you do the flourite? I haven't used any myself yet (just seting up the tank now) but from what people on here says, its just as good as flourite too.

I got mine from www.ultimateaquatics.co.uk, and was £24.99 for 20ld bag, not sure how much you'll need or if it'll work out more/less expecsive than floirute. Lots of places sell it so you could probably shop around top get it cheaper.

Just a suggestion

Sam

 

[jkc]

Thanks for your reply. I Currently have sand in the tank & have noticed that when i have pulled up plants in the past I have ended up with flourite on the top. Its a discus tank, id be interested to know what sort of substarte people think I should use thats not gonna cost an arm and a leg as Ive just spent a bomb on the new tank!!

I have already purchased a CO2 system that I will use but want to make sure there are enough nutrients in the soil as I do have amazons etc

 

[jkc]

Themuleous, thanks for your reply!! You beat me to mine!! I had been looking at the eco-complete but I think it could turn out to be quite expensive for the amount I may need!? Do you know If I could use another substrate with it that would look ok?? & does anyone know how much I would need to buy to fill the tank, just out of interest!?

Thanks

James

 

[Themuleous]

Haha wondered if I had!

The website I got it from says you need about 2lbs per US Gallon (3.7 litres). So I make it you'll need about 5 bags, well over £100, so yeh probably going to be quite expensive. But I've not looked at the cost of other substrates; it might not work out more expensive than then in the end.

If you did want eco-complete you could always

First - try and get a discount for getting so much or ebay?

Secondly - mix it 50/50 with black gravel, whilst it may not give as good a result it would still be better than just gravel and would halve the cost.

At the end of the day, if you're going to go all out planted, its going to cost a fair bit anyway, might be worth working out if you can afford all the rest as well (lights, CO2, etc) if not then the substrate may not be as important anyway. On the other hand, if you can get all the light, CO2, etc then it would probably be worth getting a good substrate layer. Form what I’ve read from people on here, a decent substrate is one of the key things to have for a fully planted tank. No point scrimping on that if all the rest is going to top of the line.

I take it from your first post that you’re keeping the other tank (4ft) and having two? Seems a shame to rip this one apart for the sake of your new tank?

BTW am very jealous of you're new tank, I'm hoping to upgrade to something that big when I get my own house (my sister has drawn the line at 3 tanks in the house we share

Hope it all goes well

Sam
.

 

[jkc]

Haha wondered if I had!

The website I got it from says you need about 2lbs per US Gallon (3.7 litres). So I make it you'll need about 5 bags, well over £100, so yeh probably going to be quite expensive. But I've not looked at the cost of other substrates; it might not work out more expensive than then in the end.

If you did want eco-complete you could always

First - try and get a discount for getting so much or ebay?

Secondly - mix it 50/50 with black gravel, whilst it may not give as good a result it would still be better than just gravel and would halve the cost.

At the end of the day, if you're going to go all out planted, its going to cost a fair bit anyway, might be worth working out if you can afford all the rest as well (lights, CO2, etc) if not then the substrate may not be as important anyway. On the other hand, if you can get all the light, CO2, etc then it would probably be worth getting a good substrate layer. Form what I’ve read from people on here, a decent substrate is one of the key things to have for a fully planted tank. No point scrimping on that if all the rest is going to top of the line.

I take it from your first post that you’re keeping the other tank (4ft) and having two? Seems a shame to rip this one apart for the sake of your new tank?

BTW am very jealous of you're new tank, I'm hoping to upgrade to something that big when I get my own house (my sister has drawn the line at 3 tanks in the house we share

Hope it all goes well

Sam
.

Hi Sam,

I am actually closing down the other 4ft, unfortunately the girlfreind wont allow 2 four foots & three 2fts in our one bedroom flat!!

So I already have the lighting system & pressurized CO2 unit its just currently I have a black background on the tank and yellow sand with Laterite. Because I really like the black background I thought it would look much better with a black substrate. Just not sure right now if I can afford another £100 odd after spending so much on the tank.

Is there anything I could put under black sand that would help with the plants?? Maybe a layer of Eco-complete then the black sand?? Seems a waste of laterite though! Could I mix this into the eco-complete??

Whats black sand actually like?? Ive never actually seen any, does it look ok??

 

[Themuleous]

Hi James,

Sorry I see what you're trying to do now

Haven't a clue how to seperate the sand and flourite! Sorry mate. If you find a good way let everyone else on here know!

If you do get the flourite out, would probably be best to forget the eco-complete, they effectively do the same thing so not point just adding more of the same! Plus wont cost you anything then.

You could have a layer of eco-complete (or flourite for that matter) then black sand, but probably just as well to mix it? Not really sure with that one. I've not had any personal experience with sand, have stuck with small gravel so far.

Dont suppose this is much help really! Hope you get something sorted in the end

Sam

 

[jkc]

Thanks Sam, hopefully Ill get it all sorted, will post some pics when it is!

Anyone else got any views?? I am thinking now that if the black sand looks ok ill go with that and the laterite. I imagine as it is a darker colour if the laterite is pulled up a bit i wont matter too much??