Substrate - Membrane Or No Membrane?

[Beemeeup]

I have put down a layer of Tetra Plant Substrate for a 175 litre tank which i had from mail order.
i needed some more before i put sand on top
the local LFSs said i needed a sort of cotton wool membrane to maintain separation between the laterite and the sand?
I must have this in order to stop the sand sinking into the tera laterite and vice versa - leaving the laterite come to the surface.

has anybody any experience or advice on uising these 'cotton wool' like membranes - i hope to add water tomorrow to start cycling - help please.

 

[RadaR]

Never heard of using a membrane either. Maybe asking in the planted part will give you answers

 

[voo]

I used a nylon membrane. Well it's also called gravel tidy. People keeping marine tanks usually use them they said.

It's like a nylon mesh that you place over the top of the bottom substrate. If you have anything that burrows into the sand (like malaysian trumpet snails), it will stop them from burrowing into the substrate.

Basially it will stop the two different substrates from mixing. Especially when you remove plants from the tank.

Mine came in particuarly useful when my bristlenose kept messing up the sand and quite often digged down to the membrane.

I dunno why they said use a cotton wool membrane though. I think a mesh would be better. Mine actually cost quite a lot. I'm sure you could find something cheaper than what the fish shop sells. If you're interested i could take a pic of mine for you to get an idea then you could find something elsewhere.

i think you'll find some people don't use them. I've heard people asking about them in the planted forum. But i think you'll find it useful when taking out plants. If you're using an orange sand (normal sand colour), it wont look so good if the black substrate gets mixed in with it.

Hope this helps.

 

[Beemeeup]

thanks for very useful info - i was beginning to think that nobody uised the stuff.

1 - does it matter if the laterite and sand eventually mix - i am mixing the sand top layer with a small grain of darkish substrate.

2 - do the roots of the plants get through the membrane ok and how difficult is it to remove plants from the membrane?

if it does not matter about mixing the membranes i do not think i will bother with it.

i hope to add water to the tank today so any reply would be gratefully received

regards

I used a nylon membrane. Well it's also called gravel tidy. People keeping marine tanks usually use them they said.

It's like a nylon mesh that you place over the top of the bottom substrate. If you have anything that burrows into the sand (like malaysian trumpet snails), it will stop them from burrowing into the substrate.

Basially it will stop the two different substrates from mixing. Especially when you remove plants from the tank.

Mine came in particuarly useful when my bristlenose kept messing up the sand and quite often digged down to the membrane.

I dunno why they said use a cotton wool membrane though. I think a mesh would be better. Mine actually cost quite a lot. I'm sure you could find something cheaper than what the fish shop sells. If you're interested i could take a pic of mine for you to get an idea then you could find something elsewhere.

i think you'll find some people don't use them. I've heard people asking about them in the planted forum. But i think you'll find it useful when taking out plants. If you're using an orange sand (normal sand colour), it wont look so good if the black substrate gets mixed in with it.

Hope this helps.

i'm not sure how to add replies as a newbie - i have tried - hope you get reply.

 

[voo]

If you're using laterite i wouldnt think it'd matter too much, and personally i wouldnt bother. Not worth the extra money.

I used tetra complete, which is like peat i guess. It's a totally different substrate and not something i mix in with the sand.

The roots are able to go through the membrane, but i would think removing the plants, especially with roots like those of amazon swords, would be a real pain.

Btw laterite you mix in the bottom layer. Then just place a plain sand layer over the top.

 

[d3tained]

Hi

I also have frtz layer under my sand layer without anything stopping it to mix.

Have had no problems.

 

[Beemeeup]

Hi

I also have frtz layer under my sand layer without anything stopping it to mix.

Have had no problems.

thanks for response - much happier now.