Substrate dilemma

[Back in the fold]

I use nothing at all . The aquarium came with a really nice glass bottom . Why cover it up ?

 

[Chickadee]

Since writing this, I have changed my mind on the Eco-Complete gravel. It is so rough and the black color just doesn't grab me. I will use it for my future betta tank.

Instead I got out my old gravel that I saved from 10 years ago, rinsed it well, and put it in the tank. It's the one in my avatar. I like the look better and it's a lot smoother, but I'm also very interested in this idea of adding a section of sand. I bought some sand yesterday and will research it today.

 

[Chickadee]

Wait, I'm still mulling this over.

My whole idea was for this to be a planted tank. I'm wondering if I could put an aquarium soil such as Aqueon Plant & Shrimp underneath the gravel? However, I'm concerned the layers will start to mix together. If I don't siphon the gravel too vigorously, will it stay in place?

Also, I read this type of soil will naturally lower the pH and soften the water. Is this true? I do have high pH and high GH.

 

[Rusty_Shackleford]

Why not use either a CEC substrate like Safe T Sorb or your "aquarium soil" in mesh bags or even panty hose with gravel on top? That way your roots can still grow into it but it won't mix with gravel when you vaccum.
Yes every aqua soil I've read about will lower pH, at least temporarily. It will also leach off ammonia in the first few weeks/months.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

I did a high tech planted tank for almost a decade. It used power compacts, pressurized CO2 and both liquid and substrate ferts. the substrate was Estes Bis of Walnut. a fert small sized aquarium gravel which was coated. I did have some laterite in the bottom inch of the 3 inch deep gravel, I also used Jobes Plant Spikes for Lush Ferns and Palms as my substrate fert. Beyond that I relied on the build up of mulm. I dose tropica Liquid ferts in the water. I also had to add a bit of potassium nitrate.

Jobe's, Ferns & Palms 16-2-6 Fertilzer​

There was no plant I could not have thrive in that tank. The point is of all the fancy things involved the substrate could not have been less special. Here is a picture of the 50 gal. tank and gravel before everything else went in.

 

[fishorama]

I have black Eco Complete & have it for a few tanks now. I like it! Mine is not the "sand" but the small gravel version. Plants grow well in 1.5-2 inches depth, except for big sword plants, they'd like 3 inches or so. Cryptocorynes (my fav genus), stem plants, etc are fine. Plants like java fern, bolbitus, anubuas & bucephalandrus are not planted in the substrate but attached to wood or rocks. They don't care about substrate or fertilizers much at all.

 

[gimme30]

@TwoTankAmin That reminds me of the well in The Ring. Don't answer the phone or in 7 days your plants will die!
I'd have sprinkled around some plastic horses lying on their sides for the full effect.

@Chickadee Are you going the high-tech route? (Bright lighting, C02, regimented fert dosing) I ask because unless you are you don't need to bother with aqua soil-which is just a fancy way of saying 'expensive dirt. '
IMHO you've got the substrate sorted and it's time to start planting!

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Over the decade I had that tank it had several reincarnations.

Perhaps the neatest thing that happened in the tank was the Farlowellas spawned a few times.

Junky substrate that looks great combined with the Jobe's spikes and the build up of mulm. The diffuser for the CO2 was even more low tech. I pushed it directly into the Eheim canister intake. Most of the CO2 parts I bought from a beer supply company.

 

[Chickadee]

@gimme30: I'm trying to keep it as low-tech as possible, at least for now. Glad to know I don't need the aqua soil for that.

I stuck with the gravel I had and put in a section of sand. It was easier than I thought it would be. I got more supplies this morning to start cycling and planting. I already started a tank journal and will update it later. Please check it out and let me know your thoughts.

I appreciate all the info and inspiration! Loved the beautiful pics of the tanks. I will use the Eco-Complete on my smaller tanks. I'm dying to rescue a poor betta or two. Seeing them in those little cups always guts me.

 

[Back in the fold]

I stuck with the gravel I had and put in a section of sand.

When I went through my plant phase over fifty years ago I had very good luck with Valisneria planted in gravel . Thinking back on it I think the aquarium placement I had at the time helped more than anything . I got the benefit of direct sunlight in the afternoon for a couple hours through a southwest facing window . I haven’t had the availability of that since then and have been trying to grow aquatic plants with lights with little success . That is probably entirely the result of me cheaping out on lights so I don’t mess around with plants much anymore .

 

[gimme30]

I haven’t had the availability of that since then and have been trying to grow aquatic plants with lights with little success .

You and me both! And I have pricey plant lights! But, I haven't switched back to Microplasticus Lastsforevercus yet...I just gave up on stems.
And what exactly is the deal with Val anyway? I put some in my bowfront, in gravel, and it tried to take over the tank. For a while. Then it started dying off. I gave it root tabs, and I thought it was getting enough light since supposedly it doesn't need much, but it just kinda stopped growing. I pulled out what remained and put it into another well-established tank and it just sits there looking sad and pathetic.
I'm redoing the bowfront finally and I think I see neon Cabomba and those funny purple ball shaped "plants" in its future.....

 

[GaryE]

You won't be rescuing Betta splendens... as they sell, others get put in the same cups. In a twisted way, you would be encouraging the trade practice. If you can find a dealer that keeps them in aquariums or in flow through systems, do it. They will be far less likely to be diseased, and to bring those diseases with them.

My lfs spent some money and set up a system where the Bettas are in small bodies of water but with a slow overflow system running the water through UV and a proper filtration system. It's still based on the reality that all longfinned Bettas are physically handicapped by breeders choosing for finnage, and for those fins to sell them, they can't move around. I dislike that, but if a store wants to make the best of it, cups are not needed. The can get systems that are better, and if they don't, there are stores that are better.

 

[Back in the fold]

You and me both! And I have pricey plant lights! But, I haven't switched back to Microplasticus Lastsforevercus yet...I just gave up on stems.
And what exactly is the deal with Val anyway? I put some in my bowfront, in gravel, and it tried to take over the tank. For a while. Then it started dying off. I gave it root tabs, and I thought it was getting enough light since supposedly it doesn't need much, but it just kinda stopped growing. I pulled out what remained and put it into another well-established tank and it just sits there looking sad and pathetic.
I'm redoing the bowfront finally and I think I see neon Cabomba and those funny purple ball shaped "plants" in its future.....

Plants and me have never found our groove . Sometimes I think I’ve found one I’m doing well with and all that’s really happening is that they’re taking longer to die . My Hornwort finally fizzled out on me but it took a year . There was a period when it was growing so well I had to thin it heavily twice a month . Now it’s dead and gone . Cryptocoryne’s , vallisneria , Anacharis , Water Sprite , Java Fern and Java Moss . All lasted a short time or a long time but eventually croaked on me . I have Duckweed now . How long will it take me to kill it ?

 

[Chickadee]

I agree about the bettas, but even my LFS had them in little cups. I noticed that Petsmart at least puts a sprig of some plant in the cup now so they have something to rest on. They still looked sad though. I'm partial to the females. Less finnage but more personality IMO.

I've never had great luck with plants either. Right now I'm just throwing spaghetti and the wall and seeing what sticks. I'm going to keep a log of what works, what doesn't. All the plants are in. The ones in the Eco Complete in black look really nice.

 

[Rusty_Shackleford]

You and me both! And I have pricey plant lights! But, I haven't switched back to Microplasticus Lastsforevercus yet...I just gave up on stems.
And what exactly is the deal with Val anyway? I put some in my bowfront, in gravel, and it tried to take over the tank. For a while. Then it started dying off. I gave it root tabs, and I thought it was getting enough light since supposedly it doesn't need much, but it just kinda stopped growing. I pulled out what remained and put it into another well-established tank and it just sits there looking sad and pathetic.
I'm redoing the bowfront finally and I think I see neon Cabomba and those funny purple ball shaped "plants" in its future.....

Val is kinda funny like that. Since you moved it I would give it some time to adjust tonthe new conditions. Val has a tendency to melt or look like it's sitting there doing nothing until it adjusts and then tries to take over.
What it's probably doing is growing roots over putting out new leaves. Once it's established it should take off again.