Substrate And Such.

[The Mottfish]

Hello,

I'm just about to go out an buy the substrate and stuff for my 39 gal. tank and have a few questions I thought I'd ask on here. (Will talk to lfs peoples.)

Anyways, I was just wondering, firstly, can you have gravel and sand on the surface without it mixing alot? (I'd like to have patches large and small of sand with the rest being gravel.) Would this work?

Secondly, the tank will hopefully be quite heavily planted (Will make sure I find out about conditions for this in lfs and what I may need to get.) I was wondering if I needed to get some kind of soil/fertiliser stuff to go under the gravel and/or sand? (I've never done this before and am fairly inexperienced with plants.)

Thanking you.

Also, could anyone recommend any substrate and sands?

 

[Themuleous]

It'll mix for sure.

If you're in Bristol and can get up there pop to junction 12 of the M5, there is a shop on the retail park called aquajardin, its an excellent shop and they know what they are talking about on the plant front. It's a bit of a trek but it'll be worth it. Most LFS don't know the first thing about plants.

And yes a plant substrate is a good idea, if you want sand/gravel over the top get a base layer substrate like tetracomplete or the tropica one.

Sam

 

[The Mottfish]

Thank you for the reply.

I've been there before I think and recall being pretty impressed. Theres a few quality fish shops up that way I'll have to go for a day trip.

Thanks.