Sand And Plant Substrates

[Matty P]

Is it difficult to have a sand and a plant substrate together without them mixing, or would it much easier for me just to use sand. This will be a BW set-up so the plants will be quite hardy.

Matt

 

[afishdude]

you cant mix them, the sand has to be on top.

 

[Matty P]

What I meant was if I put a layer of plant substrate down then some sand on top, would the eventually mix together?

 

[DevUK]

You will get some mixing, but if you put a nice thick layer of sand it should last for some time before it mixes too badly. You might want to consider an all in one substrate perhaps (no sand/gravel required)?

 

[Matty P]

You will get some mixing, but if you put a nice thick layer of sand it should last for some time before it mixes too badly. You might want to consider an all in one substrate perhaps (no sand/gravel required)?

Hmmm... I'm pretty keen on getting some sand for the Figure 8 Puffer I'm getting. If the substrates did mix what would I need to do??

Cheers

Matt

 

[angelmouse]

i have a 1" layer of laterite under my sand, it was fine for a few months till i done some replanting, but it has only mixed a tiny bit and then i just push it back under the sand or syphon the stray bits out, fish that like digging can be a pain though.
Angel

 

[Matty P]

OK thanks for the helpful replies I think I might just use sand and use some fertilizers that you add in the water and fertilizer tablets.

 

[afishdude]

might want to look into injected co2. it helps sooo much.
what plants are you getting?
what lights are you using?

 

[Matty P]

might want to look into injected co2. it helps sooo much.
what plants are you getting?
what lights are you using?

1) Is a CO2 injector expensive?

2) Hardy, brackish water plants (e.g. java moss ball, java fern...)

3) Ehh... don't know yet, haven't actually bought the tank yet. Just planning ahead, by the looks of things I think it is going to be a Fluval Uno 800 (25G)

Matt

 

[afishdude]

if you have 2+ wpg (watts per gallon) then you will need co2 and ferts. if not then all you need is light.

injected co2 is quite expencive, usualy about $200 or more. but a DIY yeist mixture would cost you about $5.00 but it is not as good. if you have it lightly planted you shouldnt need co2 or ferts. but be prepared for lots of algae if you go lightly planted.

 

[Matty P]

if you have 2+ wpg (watts per gallon) then you will need co2 and ferts. if not then all you need is light.

injected co2 is quite expencive, usualy about $200 or more. but a DIY yeist mixture would cost you about $5.00 but it is not as good. if you have it lightly planted you shouldnt need co2 or ferts. but be prepared for lots of algae if you go lightly planted.

I don't understand... If I have 2+ wpg I need co2 and ferts and if I don't have 2+ wpg then i don't need co2 and ferts. Right?

 

[afishdude]

yes, correct.

 

[mikster]

If you are using java moss and jave ferns then a substrate fertilizer will be irrelevant as these plants can absorb nutrients thru there leaves, i have them in a tank with no substrate and no other fertisation except the waste the fish produce, no co2 and moderate lighting and they grow fine, they wont grow rapidly but thye will definately grow.

 

[Matty P]

yes, correct.

Right... OK, how does that work?

If you are using java moss and jave ferns then a substrate fertilizer will be irrelevant as these plants can absorb nutrients thru there leaves, i have them in a tank with no substrate and no other fertisation except the waste the fish produce, no co2 and moderate lighting and they grow fine, they wont grow rapidly but thye will definately grow.

OK cheers mikster

 

[afishdude]

if the lighting is high then the plants are releasing more oxygen in the water, thus taking in more nutrients and more co2. so if you have hevy lighting then you will need ferts and co2 to make up for them using it all. it all relates to the lighting. if you have less light they need less nutrients, thus not needing the ferts and co2 supliment