Sand Substrates For Planting

[drufly]

Hi all. I am getting a 240ltr tank soon and was wondering what types of black sand there is on the market. My lfs does'nt stock any so could anybody help me.

My tank will be moderatly planted, as i am new to plants i would like to know about flourite or the like, which is best, how much it costs and any other info needed you can think of

cheers Dru
Soz forgot to add I live in N. Ireland if that helps

 

[drufly]

No takers on this 1.

i quite lke the black sand look, but my budget is'nt that gr8 is the likes of eco-complete necessary for plant growth or will they do alright with liquid ferts with the plants just put straight into the black sand

 

[Mikaila31]

Onyx sand or flourite black sand

 

[drufly]

Is it cheap as i am on a tight budget. Also will it be alright to use either on its own or will i need to have a layer of 1 then something over it.

 

[aaronnorth]

i would go for a cheap substrate like tetraplant or JBL aquabasis then cap it with some normal black sand.

This will probably be the cheapest way.

 

[drufly]

Thanx for the info, was looking on dif sites and sand is dearer than i was expecting never mind with putting in the likes of eco-complete( way ova my budget)
hopefully getting the new tank next month so ill be sure to post pics when it arrives.

 

[dsandson]

Thanx for the info, was looking on dif sites and sand is dearer than i was expecting never mind with putting in the likes of eco-complete( way ova my budget)
hopefully getting the new tank next month so ill be sure to post pics when it arrives.

Hi Drufly

Have you been out to Exotic Aquatics in Belfast? They do bags of unipac Black gravel quite cheaply, which I'm using at the moment. They also do tetraplant, and JBL aquabasis+ planting substrates.

Otherwise you could try asking your LFS in Lisburn to order in something. Just a suggestion as I know that postage rates to NI can be extortionate, especially for something as heavy as sand. Or if you really want sand, whatever the colour, try Argos playsand. Diirt cheap and all it needs is a good rinse!

Dave

 

[drufly]

Does the play sand come in different colours?

Never heard of exotic aquatics. you say they do black gravel but do they do sand. The only fs i use is grovsner tropicals in lisburn.

 

[dsandson]

Exotic Aquatics are just off the top of the Cregagh Road, on Prince Regent Street, just opposite the Royal mail offices. They are a very good shop... staff are brilliant (unlike the grumpy and unhelpful ones in Grovesnor Tropicals in my experience).

Anyway, no they only do normal sand. the black gravel was my attempt at a compromise. The only Black sand I know of is produced by SeaChem, whose products I've seen once or twice in Lisburn, so they might be able to order it for you.

Been looking online and actually found 2 possibilities:

[URL="http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=220&products_id=1737"]http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/index.php?...roducts_id=1737[/URL]

and

[URL="http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=102_280&products_id=191"]http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/index.php?...products_id=191[/URL]

This site is brilliant, but not cheap at all! their del charge to NI is fair for small items, but understandibly dear for heavy items like this. Very fast del too... ordered some T6 light bulbs yesterday and they arrived this morning. People on here really rave about them.

In the end if there's anything I've needed, Exotic Aquatics have always tried they're best to source it for me, but they're limited to what they're suppliers stock. It does no harm to ask though!

Dave