Substrate Guide

[SexyFishKeeper]

Right then,

I'm slowly collecting things for a tank re-organise, mainly adding some plants and have kinda realised that whilst doing this, it might be worth while in replacing my gravel with some plant substrate, rather than adding plant tabs under the gravel.

From my understanding that the substrate goes under the gravel, and have been looking at the Tetra Complete substrate.

What I'm unsure of is what to do after that...
- I like the look of fine sand but with the fish I have (Tiger Barbs, Zebra Danios & Bristlenose Plec), I'm unsure if they'll like it.
- If not sand then small gravel?

If someone could explain what I actually need to do in a step - by - step guide it would be really appreciated.

I'll hopefully have some Sumatra driftwood in the next day or two and so would like to keep the tank looking from SE asia so would like the substrate/gravel to match, any suggestions would (again) be most appreciated.

 

[Esfa]

You could use some eco complete and you dont need to put anything on top of that - it's better if you dont.

Or if you cant afford it, you can use something like tetra-plant complete under some sand.

All your fish will like the sand - i cant think of any fish that cannot be kept with sand.

 

[RadaR]

All your fish will like the sand - i cant think of any fish that cannot be kept with sand.

Stingrays...
Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

[Esfa]

All your fish will like the sand - i cant think of any fish that cannot be kept with sand.

Stingrays...
Sorry, couldn't resist.

Rays love sand

 

[SuperColey1]

Almost all fish will love sand.

With TetraComplete you just chuck it in the bottom and shape it to a hardscape i.e. plain slanted towards the back or mounds etc.

Then top it with an inch of gravel or sand (or more if your name's Superocley)

As a guide 1 x 5.8Kg tub of TetraComplete is supposed to be for 100Litre but I used it in a 125. Then added 1½ inches of sand. (Empty and clean tank first of course)

Next Put hardscape (attaching plants to wood/rocks first where necessary) the plant it up and return the fish.



Andy

 

[Themuleous]

Substrates are not as complication as you might think. There are two options - complete substrates and base layer substrates.

Complete ones include eco-complete and ADA aquasoil. These you dont 'cap' with anything, its 100% planted substrate. It doesn't simpler than that

There are far more base layer substrate to chose from, but they all work on the same principle. You put a layer of plant substrate on the base of the tank and then 'cap' it with whatever you want. In addition to the tetra one there is also the tropica plant substrate which IMHO is probably the best of this type.

Don't worry to much about what you 'cap' the plant substrate with, just get want you like the look of, be that sand or gravel or whatever. The plants wouldn't really care, all they want is the nutrients from the plant substrate below

At the end of the day any substrate from any of the main aquarium manufacturers is going to be better than just sand or gravel on its own, so whatever you put in the tank the plants will be grateful

Why have you chosen tetra? Is it available in your LFS? What are the dimensions of the tank?

Sam

 

[SexyFishKeeper]

I only really noticed the Tetra, now after readying this am more interested in the eco-complete as you don't have to "cap" that with something.

I guess when you put sand etc on top that its a buggar to keep in the layers when cleaning it?

My LFS's don't seem to stock anything of the sort of plant substrates so will either have to get them to order it in for me or I buy it online.

It's for my Juwel Vision 180 btw

 

[Shrimper]

I only really noticed the Tetra, now after readying this am more interested in the eco-complete as you don't have to "cap" that with something.

I guess when you put sand etc on top that its a buggar to keep in the layers when cleaning it?

My LFS's don't seem to stock anything of the sort of plant substrates so will either have to get them to order it in for me or I buy it online.

It's for my Juwel Vision 180 btw

I have the same tank, and have eco complete. If you are thinking of Eco-complete you will need 3 bags to cover it properly. I've only used 2 bags and had an area of sand, partly to save money and partly to keep my Corys happy. Its not been set up too long by my plants are growing well, much better than my other tank with plain gravel and root tabs.

I managed to get mine from one of the LFS near me, but i've only seen it in one out of about 8 stores i've looked in locally. I've since found it cheaper online anyway. If your going for 3 bags you won't need to pay postage from Aquaessentials ([URL="http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/"]http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/[/URL]).

 

[Themuleous]

I only really noticed the Tetra, now after readying this am more interested in the eco-complete as you don't have to "cap" that with something.

I guess when you put sand etc on top that its a buggar to keep in the layers when cleaning it?

Yeh I use EC and its a great substrate. The cheapest place Ive found is when you take into account postage for large quantities.

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Caribsea-Eco-Complet...oQQcmdZViewItem

Yeh layered substrate do have a habitat of mixing, especially if you are constantly moving the plants around.

Sam

 

[SexyFishKeeper]

I'll see if I can order it from the LFS, as I'm getting a bit fed up of having to make trips to collect stuff in Leeds at the Courier depots. At least I can nip to the LFS at the weekend / after work.