Substrate Ferts

[BigIan]

My tank is up and running now but i really want to turn it into a nice planted aquarium, so i was wondering if there is any sort of fert i can mix in with the substrate while i still have water and fish in the tank.

I`m currently using tetras crypto pelets but i`m wanting something a bit more beefy as i`m also planning on adding co2 and increasing the lighting with a pair of t 5`s

 

[simonbrown403]

You could use laterite, eco complete or similar and wash it well and pour it in with a cup and mix it with your fingers.
It will stir up your water but it should clear fast enough

What size tanks is it, how's it decorated ans what substrata do you have?

Simon.

 

[BigIan]

the tank is a 50 uk gallon, tank with sand as a substrate a few nice round stones and some bog wood, and lots of plants already....


so i can add latrite without having to strip the entire tank down to the bone and starting again?

 

[Luke_e]

On my laterite box it gives instructions for new tanks (i.e no substrate) or established. For established it says just to mix the laterite into the substrate thoroughly.. and evenly.

 

[BigIan]

excelent...


what brand of latrite is that?

now all i need is my t 5`s and to find some way of buffering the co2 so the ph dosent swing to much

 

[Luke_e]

First Layer..
http/www.aquatics-online.co.uk/Z101240.asp#product646
And check out this thread i made, http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=141120&hl=, it answers how to raise KH (which inturn aids the buffering), gf gives a recipe.

 

[BigIan]

thank you very much good sir,

i see your just down the road from me so must have similar water,


i asked at my local lfs about buffering co2 and they said crushed shell`s in the filter would raise the hardness of the water enough....

any one else herad anything else about this???

and where did you get the laterite from luke

 

[Luke_e]

Np mate, glad i could help.
Yea bradford isnt too far from me.. so the water will be pretty much the same..

I got my laterite from the website i posted above http/www.aquatics-online.co.uk/Z101240.asp#product646

 

[Themuleous]

I personally wounldn't use crushed coral, doesnt seem right to sacrafic one living thing to keep another alive. If you want to increase KH (which is the one that buffers pH) then you can add bog standard bicarbonate of soda, at a rate of 1 teaspoon per 100lt will give a rise of 4dKH, if I remember it right that is. I would start small and work up and keep testing until you've worked out the right amount for the tank. You'll need to add it each time you do a water change but thats no biggy I guess just add it when you add the declorinator.

Oh and dont forget just to add it to the new water dont dose the whole tank each time!

Sam