Substrate Confusion For Real Plants...

[bogwood]

I have an aquarium (600x400x400mm) and want to use real plants in a tropical set up. Discussing this at my LFS, I walked out with the following: a box of 'first layer Laterite'; a bag of 'Red Sea Florabase' and a bag of aquarium-specific sand to mix with the Florabase 'to improve the plant holding qualities of the substrate'.

I've been told to put a thin layer of the Laterite down first, then an inch or so of the Florabase/sand mix. Had a quick look on the web and found mixed views: some people love it for it's 'planting' and 'natural looking' qualities; some hate it as apparently it's very messy, creating a 'red mist' in the tank; some have also said 'don't use sand at all if you use a standard heater rather than an under-gravel' set up... I'm now totally confused! What 'should' I be doing? Can I add an inch or two of small-sized gravel 'over' the Laterite/Red Sea Florabase layers - to keep it from being churned up by bottom feeders - and stop the 'red leakage'?... and what's the truth about the use of sand? Thanks

 

[nicklfire]

Hey dude,
FloraBase by red sea, i got about... a month ago and i love it. My plants really like it indeed. I'll show you a couple pictures i'v taken.


This picture was taken a couple weeks ago. with the flora base just as it is.

Here's a picture i just took now.

Honestly i really dont have any problems with cloudy water or anything. Flora Based is supposed to be used "on it's own", if you read on the bag it will say dont mix substrate with sand or gravel or anything. The laterite is fine.

It's been about a month and honestly dude, it's great by itself, and it really looks sharp. Sure if you stick your hand in and mix it around it will get cloudy, but under normal use... your suckers or corys wont distrubte it at all. Just get through the first couple weeks then everything will even out and you'll be very impressed. When you first put the substrate it it will look cloudy...

Actually here's a thread i created a while back about my experience with it.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=113638&hl=

I did that before my new lighting so it might be a bit dark, but kinda goes through the process with you (hint.. take as much water out as possiable).

If you need anything more spit it

 

[zig]

I dont have any experience with Florabase, its really the laterite that will cause the red cloud and should be washed for quite a while before you put it in the tank, you will have to wash it for longer than you may think but dont try and get it so the water runs clear or you will be there all night.

Personally i would just use the laterite as a bottom layer and then place the florabase on top and skip the sand but each to his own, if you use the sand it will sink to the bottom before very long given the size of the grain.

A lot of us here in the planted section just use a fine gravel of 2-3mm with the laterite but its important the grain of the gravel isnt to big as it wont make a great substrate. You could also just use the laterite with the sand if you wish others do that as well. Personally i prefer the gravel and laterite mix.

 

[nicklfire]

o yea, if you do use the florabase.. dont wash that stuff.. or you'll be wasting money down the drain