Substrate On A Budget Please Help

[The Aquarist]

This is my second thread on my new planted tank the first thread was for help with co2 parts, this time i need help with my substrate.

So if you were on a budget for your substrate which combination would you buy...

I have read about aquatic compost/topsoil (seems a bit messy to me) i have also read about cat litter in the substrate as well

Can members provide pictures if possible.

cheers

 

[Truck]

This is my second thread on my new planted tank the first thread was for help with co2 parts, this time i need help with my substrate.

So if you were on a budget for your substrate which combination would you buy...

I have read about aquatic compost/topsoil (seems a bit messy to me) i have also read about cat litter in the substrate as well

Can members provide pictures if possible.

cheers

i would buy 100% clay cat litter and sprinkle a 1cm layer and cover it in about 4 or 5 cm of sand...works a treat as the clay has a high CEC content so it can take minerals out of the water column and release them over an amount of time.

 

[The Aquarist]

This is my second thread on my new planted tank the first thread was for help with co2 parts, this time i need help with my substrate.

So if you were on a budget for your substrate which combination would you buy...

I have read about aquatic compost/topsoil (seems a bit messy to me) i have also read about cat litter in the substrate as well

Can members provide pictures if possible.

cheers

i would buy 100% clay cat litter and sprinkle a 1cm layer and cover it in about 4 or 5 cm of sand...works a treat as the clay has a high CEC content so it can take minerals out of the water column and release them over an amount of time.

Hi truck, i have been reading more and more about cat litter as a substrate on this forum and others, and i really like the idea, i have found the 100% clay non clumping in p @ h but i just need a few more questions answering.

1.rinsing... will it be better to rinse the cat litter until all the dust has disappeared.
2.top layer... will it be possible to use a coarse gravel on top of the cat litter instead of sand ?
3.akadama... akadama is only £slightly more would i be better off with this as substrate ?

 

[Truck]

doesnt need rinsing, yes you can cap it with gravel...not sure about the akadama...PM nick16 and ask him as a believe he uses it

 

[aaronnorth]

akadama too is baked clay, so CEC is still high, i am unsure how they compare, but any will do, it comes down to the look you want, akadama doesnt need capping either.