Substrate For Planted Goldfish Tank

[GoldenRoses]

Hello everyone,

I could use a bit of advice regarding a new choice of substrate in my 75 gallon goldfish tank. Currently, it has plain 'ol black gravel and a few scrawny live plants, but with this tank being the centerpiece of my home, I'm determined to make it at least decent to look at.

I have my heart set on black Tahitian moon sand, and found a great deal on some online. The problem is, I heard this is not great for plant growth as it contains little to no nutrients and can constrict roots.

So, I'm wondering if I could do two layers of substrate; a nutrient rich substrate on the bottom with the sand on top. Possibly eco complete, floramax, or even dirt?

Which leads me to yet another dilemma; goldfish are notorious for digging around and uprooting plants, which would cause quite a mess with any substrate under the sand. I can't see the layers staying where they need to be, and it would probably end with the entire thing mixing together.

I do have Seachem root tabs and flourish, along with excellent lighting, so I suppose this could make up for the lack of nutrients in the substrate. Plus, the plants can have a feast off of the excess nitrates that are common in goldfish aquariums.

So, what to do? Do I risk using another substrate under the sand? If so, which substrate would be best? I am on a tight budget, so dirt would be the best option, although it would be horrible to have the dirt and sand mix. Eco complete and floramax were brought up in another discussion, but I've been reading that they actually don't contain nutrients, but rather hold nutrients that you add, so really isn't that much better than regular gravel. Does anyone know if this is true, and can explain the difference between eco and floramax?

Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[attibones]

You don't want to go with dirt if you have goldfish. The sand will typically stay where it needs to but if the goldfish expose the soil, sometimes this can be bad. In my twenty gallon I use black blasting grit on top of a Seachem substrate. I don't remember its name. They haven't mixed since I added the sand. You'll just want to be careful to have around three inches or more of total substrate.

Goldfish eat a lot of plants don't they? Do they eat java ferns or waxy anubius species? If they don't, that's another option for you. I've seen some great aquascapes with just rhizome plants attached to wood or rock, then you don't have to worry about about substrate.

 

[GoldenRoses]

Thanks for the reply!

Yes, that would be horrible if the dirt started creeping up from under the sand. What a mess! Guess that's out of the equation...

Goldfish are pretty brutal on plants, but that's why I want to give them a good substrate to get strong roots. Surprisingly, my tank is too bright to support java fern, anubias, or any other low light plant. I have some plants that are doing well now, and plants in mind, but I think they could do better if they had a better substrate. What would you recommend?

 

[Alasse]

I have a planted goldfish tank

 
I am using all pool filter sand with dino dung (sorted like a root tab) under the planted areas. On top of the planted area i have put pebbles. The goldfish tend to leave them alone.
 
Plants i have, Val, Anubias, Java fern, Crypt wendtii & a few swords
 
My tank

 

[GoldenRoses]

What a gorgeous tank Alasse!!!

It's interesting to hear that the swords are working out in your tank... mine absolutely devour swords! I'll defiantly be trying out some more vals (mine started to die unexpectedly) and the crypt wendtii.

So you think that as long as I provide the plants with root tabs regularly, they'll be fine with just sand? What root tabs would you recommend? Currently I'm using Seachem root tabs, but they're a little on the expensive side...

Thanks so much for the help!

 

[Alasse]

I feed my goldies a lot of vegi matter, they get a large handful of duckweed every 2 days or so, they get 15 or so algae disks daily, they get peas weekly, lettuce weekly, i think this is why they tend to leave my plants alone.
 
I have sand in many tanks and it is quite capable of growing quite a lot, Val doesnt need the tabs, it will grow no probs without them (i have them in another sand based tank that has nothing added)The API root tabs arent too bad...but i use dino dung, not available outside Australia i dont think...

 

[LyraGuppi]

Makes me want goldies....

 

[GoldenRoses]

Thanks! I think I'll go with just sand then, to prevent any hassle with mixing, etc. Plus, it'll be the least expensive route. Approximately how many pounds would I need for a 75 gallon? Or rather, how deep should it be to support plants?

Do I have to worry about having too much light with any of those plants? Not only does the tank have a pretty powerful light fixture, but it's also directly in front of a window.

LyraGuppi, yes, introduce yourself to goldfish! They're amazing fish to keep, filled with personality and charisma. You won't be disappointed.

 

[Alasse]

I have approx 40kg of sand in the tank pictured, not sure what that is in pounds sorry
 
Too much light with any plants can cause algae issues, i would limit the amount of time they are on, especially if they are getting natural light as well.
 
Goldies are awesome....all mine are handfed flakes, they soon learn hands are good things lol a problem when you are just trying to do maintenance on the tank and ya got goldies in and out ya fingers and pecking at you all the time lol

 

[GoldenRoses]

I've learned about algae the hard way. For a couple months the tank looked absolutely horrendous, filled with gross green algae. But, the amount of algae in the tank has really started to die down since I've cut back on using ferts and started conducting large water changes very frequently. So, it seems that it's under control.

My goldies are spoiled rotten. My oldest will splash water out of the tank when he sees me feeding the other fish. :laugh:

One last question; Do you know anything about mermaid weed, Proserpinaca palustris? I purchased some for a couple of my tanks, but was warned by the people at my LFS that when it's grown out of water, this plant becomes toxic. However, I can't seem to find anything that backs up this claim online. Is this just a myth?

Thanks so much for all your help.

 

[Alasse]

I would think it was non toxic
 
found this
 

Value to the Aquatic Community: Shorebirds and waterfowl feed upon the seeds of mermaid weed, and aquatic invertebrates and fish use the trailing leaves and stems for food and shelter.

 
from
HERE

 

[GoldenRoses]

Thank you. It's good to know my goldies aren't in danger. The plant is beautiful, so I'll probably be purchasing more once the sand arrives.

Can't wait to get it set up. Thanks again!