Substrate Comparisons

[fishstick]

I want to renew the substrate in my 180l community tank which is 9 months old. Up to now I have had sand only, no other additions or CO2. I have a lot of algae- brown furry, brown slime, blue-green slime, green thread and something white and horrible which isn't in any of the books. None of my many plants are thriving. I do not overfeed. My stats are good exept for nitrates at 8. I know from this forum that a rich substrate will encourage plant growth which will inhibit algae. I have been given a tub of Tetra Complete Substrate. Does anyone know how this compares with the others mentioned? What makes one more recommended than another? I want better plant growth but cannnot install CO2 as I have shelldwellers in one corner (and would put a coral sand base for them only).

 

[SuperColey1]

Don't know how it compares, but I have a 5.8KG tub under my play sand and the plants are doing OK

The ones with the really deep roots like Echinodorus Bleheri (Sword) which is the huge amount of lush green in the centre of my tank (see avatar)

 

[Castellop123]

e...

 

[vinylman]

I'd go along with the Tetra Substrat; I added two large tubs to my 4ft a couple of months ago and now I'm trimming almost every week. Worth every penny, even if you just have the 'everyday' plants. BTW, I don't use CO2 or liquid fertilisers, either.

 

[Malfie]

Hi.
I used just pond plant soil underneath a couple of inches of gravel.Plants are doing fine as the picture shows.
I haven't had any trouble with algae,but my tank has only been running for about 2 and a bit months.
Hopefully going to get another tank soon and might try laterite, but on the other hand it is about 4 times more expensive !!
Does anyone have any view s on the soil issue ?

Cheers Malfie

 

[Kissaragi]

Great tank malfie!

 

[Malfie]

Thank you kind sir.

Can't wait 'til I get another.
I want one as big as a house !

Malfie

 

[SuperColey1]

I think the soil thing i.e. compost can be a win/lose sometimes.

I work for William sinclair (J Arthur Bowers) and know how good these products can be in the garden, but I also know that they can be devastating in some cases in the aquarium (not for the plants but for the fish) in that a huge amount of the composts and soils on the market contain peat some are peat reduced and some Peat Substitute whic affect acidity and all sorts of other things.

I'd doubt top soil would be any good because it is sterilised to remove weeds etc before bagging, and this process would probs eliminate a lot of the macro nutrients you are looking for, but I have read a lot of journals that have used a normal J Innes or other Peat reduced compost under soil or gavel, and they have come up trumps.

Looking at your tank, I'd say that you have come up trumps too. clarity is awesome, plants lush and a god damn sweet look to the whole scene.

Congrats and may your excellence continue

(Thread has now been subscribed to awaiting more pics)

Andy

 

[lljdma06]

I have never worked with Tetracomplete substrate, but have heard of it.

I know of many types of substrates, but my hands on experience with them is limited. I have had excellent results with just a simple fine-grain gravel (1-3mm) mixed with laterite, and the gravel on it's own with the addition of rootabs. I know it's not extremely fancy, but it's very cost-effective and the substrate has some advantages. It is inert, and will not release organic matter into the aquarium, which isn't a problem for plants, but can be for fish. Nor will it effect pH, which is good for your shell dwellers. It is an effective rooting medium, even for the most fragile stemplants. It quickly collects aquarium mulm, trapping nutrients from fish waste into an area where roots can absorb it. It doesn't compact like sand does, especially with all the tweaking I do. Those are the advantages I can think of right otf the top of my head.

That being said, I'm sure the other stuff is great, I just never saw the need to fork over so much money when you can get just as good growth with something so simple. If you got a free tub, you might as well use it! Free, is the best cost for any substrate. If push comes to shove, you can always establish a new tank for the shell dwellers using an inert or a substrate that encourages added hardness. No harm in a good case of MTS (Multiple Tank syndrome)!

By the way, tank is lovely Malfie! Very lush.

llj

 

[fishstick]

Thanks everyone - v. helpful. A sparkling tank Malfie - makes me realise how tired my plants are looking.