Substrate And Sand

[Zikofski]

i am going to be changing my tank scape, and was thinking having half my tank substrate with sand on top and the other cave with sand on top , making the cave this week, just need a few hints and tips on the substrate, this one seems to be a good one to get seachem flourite i have amazon swords, crypts, and twisted vallias, how deep should i have this substrate and how deep should the sand be over the top, I don't like the look of a substrate only tank so i would like sand over the top or no substrate , but seeming I'm going for a hight light and co2 tank gona do all i can for the plants to grow nice and healthy,
any ideas and tips much appreciated

 

[Ps3Steveo]

I'd go with an inch of the substrate front to 1.5 rear but dont push it to the edges as it will show through the glass and cover with 1.5 inches of sand front and slope to say 3 inches rear total to give perspective.

 

[Zikofski]

thnx steve sorry for the long reply what make or kind of substrate is best ive been looking at this http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/colombo-florabase-brown-5-litres-p-3915.html

but it says not to put anything ontop, and someone said to me that it rises up above sand as its lighter? haha i dont mind giving it ago if its a good one, there is also a seachems brand on that website but it looks more like a sand than for plants not sure haha

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Florabase is what I use mate but you shouldn't cap it with sand really as its porous, so once the nutrients run out it stores the excess but with sand on top would really slow down the process as sand does allow as much flow through it as larger gravels etc.

 

[Zikofski]

hmm okay, is there any type of substrate for plants similar to Florabase that i can use with sand covering it?

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Nutri base

 

[Zikofski]

hmm okay thank you i shall look at that

woo its cheaper too thnx steve haha

 

[Zikofski]

just out of curiosity dose this stuff float and thats wht you need the sand ontop?

 

[Ps3Steveo]

No it doesn't float but can muddy the water if not capped.