Some Help

[shrimply]

Ok so I bought this. Still not sure what to do with the cichlids as have yet to find somone to buy them. Also haveing trouble getting info on whta to do in the cichlid section.
The Tank

As you can see I am getting sand with it so thought I could maybe use it and I already have peat which I use for my gerbils so I can add some of that. On top of that i will add fine gravel. As you can see after the amount I spent on the tank I am trying to do things as cheap as possible. What else do you think I should add if I do this and will it give me good results?

I need to know this because the tank is in fife and there is also a big aquatic shop there, the only one in scotland which stocks seachem flourite. So I bet I can get anything else i need there too. However if I am going with seachem flourite this is my only chance.

I am still slightly worried about lighting such a big tank but that is my next hurdel. Project planted tank is go

 

[karlp]

Hi Shrimpley

Nice tank!

What are you aiming to do in your project ?

What are you planning on doing with the Cichlids ?

 

[shrimply]

I am trying to sell them but am having a few problems.

Anyone got any info on my substrate.

 

[shrimply]

Also my aim is to get plants to grow.

Anyone able to advise me, I need to know by tommorow.

 

[itsmedeanna64]

That's a beautiful tank! How many US gal is it?

 

[shrimply]

60, I think. Lots of options on stocking but that is to decide later.

 

[zig]

I would not use a layer of peat as it will just mess with your water chemistry, Seachem flourite would be a good substrate but will be expensive to cover for a 60 gallon tank, you could mix it 50/50 with ordinary small grained gravel to save some cash but it will still work out quite pricey as you would still need about 2 bags or maybe even more even doing it 50/50.

Probably the cheapest option is to use laterite mixed with a small 1-3mm grained gravel, a large box of laterite (1.5 kilos) enough for a 55 US gallon tank is about £15-16 to buy online you would then need to source some gravel.

If you add a handful of the peat,only a sprinkling mind, and some fish waste or mulm from an established setup to the bottom of the tank and then cover it with the chosen substrate flourite, gravel, laterite or whatever you choose in the end, the peat and the fish mulm act as an activator for the substrate and help quicken its maturity.

I have 2 tanks both set up with laterite and a small grain gravel, one i only set up a couple of weeks ago and the other has been setup for quite some time, with my main tank i have had good success growing most plants in the substrate and would recommend it, lots of others here also use laterite with good success, i have never had any problems growing any carpeting plants either that i have chosen, and have grown quite a few at this stage.

Anyway hope that helps the decision making process, but obviously it comes down to your budget at the end of the day, nice tank btw best of luck with it.

Heres a link to the laterite at the end of this page.

Laterite

 

[shrimply]

Depending on what type of sand it is could I mix the laterite with that and then add a thin layer of gravel would that work better than a laterite and gravel mixture or not?

Is there anything else I can add?

Budget really depends on how much I can get for the cichlids if I get about £50 then my budget isn't really a problem for getting my substrate but if I struggle to sell them and don't get much for them my budget is tight.

 

[AlexAndCarmen]

Hi, This is a bit of a plant newbie question. Does the API laterite dissolve or become mushy in the water? Is this why you bury it in the first layer? I have a quite fine gravel/sand 1-2mm, Will this work for mixing with laterite?Thanks Alex

 

[George Farmer]

Depending on what type of sand it is could I mix the laterite with that and then add a thin layer of gravel would that work better than a laterite and gravel mixture or not?

I'd imagine they'd be little difference. I've had good results with fine gravel and laterite. I'd imagine that eventually the smaller grain size of the sand would result in it working its way to the bottom of the tank anyway.

Hi, This is a bit of a plant newbie question. Does the API laterite dissolve or become mushy in the water? Is this why you bury it in the first layer? I have a quite fine gravel/sand 1-2mm, Will this work for mixing with laterite?Thanks Alex

Laterite is like a fine gravel. It remains solid but does leech a lot of red residue that will cloud the water if not rinsed well prior to adding to the water.

Mixing it with your gravel is ideal. Ideally you need to remove all your current substrate, mix the pre-rinsed laterite with the lower third of the gravel and top up with the remaining plain gravel. If removing your substrate is not an option then you can target the laterite in the most appropiate areas i.e. where you intend to grow root-feeding plants like Amazon Swords and Crypts.

To do this place a hollowed out yoghurt pot or similar into the gravel, right down to the tank base.
Siphon out the gravel inside the pot.
Add the laterite and gravel mix.
Top up with remaining gravel.

 

[AlexAndCarmen]

So your saying the fine gravel is useable or should i be replacing with a larger gravel? I'm prepared to strip tank out. So I appreciated any info as i want to get it right the first time and don't want to be stripping it again. I've read an article where the author broke up a lily ferts tab and sprinkled it on the first layer. Do you think undergravel heating cables will be good to put in considering i have fine gravel?

 

[George Farmer]

Your current gravel is fine.

Substrate heating is a controversial one. Some say a waste of money - others swear by it. If you have the cash then I'd personally use one. I have had good results with mine.