Substrate Opinions

[TammyLiz]

What is the best substrate to use? I don't have a lot of money and I would prefer something dark in color, to show off the bright colors of my fish, and I would like to leave the option open to get some sort of bottom feeder, so no sharp edges. Does such a thing exist? Something that I could grow low light plants in? It is a 55 gallon tank and I'll be using 2 T8 32 watt bulbs and no CO2.

 

[karlp]

Hi Tammy

OK, well we'll rule out an all eco-complete substrate from the start I guess because of it's price, so I think the most cost effective way of getting what you want would be to go for a two layer substrate, using a cheap substrate for the base layer:

1. Gravel sized substrate

Get some cheap 3-4mm grade pea gravel and mix it with a substrate fertilizer (I used Florapol) to form the bottom layer.

Now add Onyx gravel (black) as the top level substrate.

N.b, In the literature it says Onyx gravel has a buffering effect on the water, so if you are already in a hard water area, you may not want this.

2. Sand based substrate

For the sand substrate you can't really put sand on top of gravel, because over time the gravel will rise to the surface, so I would suggest:

Base layer = Play pit sand (from DIY shop, but wash it well) or Silver sand from Aquatic shop
Second layer = Layer of Fertilizer
Top Layer = Tahitian moon sand or Onxy sand

I believe Tahitian moon sand is inert.

With a sand substrate it will need a bit more maintenance to prevent compaction and anerobic areas forming (it'll need loosening up every few weeks a bit).

I got my substrate stuff from www.AquaEssentials.co.uk. My local LFS stocks Tahitian moon sand, but it's probably available on the net somewhere.

Cheers

Karl.

 

[Ste_J]

Since you are US based I would suggest looking at something like SoilMaster - This is cheaper than eco etc and has very good results with planting

Not sure on cost though as I am UK based

 

[Aqua Essentials]

I got my substrate stuff from www.AquaEssentials.co.uk. My local LFS stocks Tahitian moon sand,

Cheers

Karl.

Good stuff Karl - we also stock Tahitan Moonsand but this of course doesn't help our friend in the US!

 

[TammyLiz]

Get some cheap 3-4mm grade pea gravel and mix it with a substrate fertilizer (I used Florapol) to form the bottom layer.

Now add Onyx gravel (black) as the top level substrate.

N.b, In the literature it says Onyx gravel has a buffering effect on the water, so if you are already in a hard water area, you may not want this.

I live in a small city and the water tends to vary on what is coming out of the tap. I am not sure but I wonder if the gravel I have in my other tanks is buffering it up because it goes up in my tank. I got it at a petstore as just regular aquarium gravel, but maybe still... There is definately nothing else in there that would buffer it up. Or could the water itself just be unstable?

What about laterite or kitty litter mixed with the bottom layer of pea gravel? Laterite is easy for me to get. I can get enough for the whole tank to be mixed with gravel for $20. Kitty litter would be even cheaper.

I like the idea of the look of black sand, though, I don't know where to get it.

I am not familiar with Soilmaster, ste J. What would I mix it with? Being the middle of winter these things may be more difficult to get, I would think.

I feel like this is an important decision but I'm feeling a little lost on where to even get most of this stuff. Shipping on something like substrate has got to be a killer.

 

[karlp]

OK... check ebay:

Tahitian moon sand:

http/cgi.ebay.com/CaribSea-Super-Natural...1QQcmdZViewItem

Buy it now for $16.23, postage $9.

What about laterite or kitty litter mixed with the bottom layer of pea gravel? Laterite is easy for me to get.

Yes, that's the sort of thing I meant.

live in a small city and the water tends to vary on what is coming out of the tap. I am not sure but I wonder if the gravel I have in my other tanks is buffering it up because it goes up in my tank. I got it at a petstore as just regular aquarium gravel, but maybe still... There is definately nothing else in there that would buffer it up. Or could the water itself just be unstable?

The only way to answer that question is to do regular tests of the tap water or do the acid test on the gravel and see if it fizzles.

Good stuff Karl - we also stock Tahitan Moonsand but this of course doesn't help our friend in the US!

Small world! I didnt' know you guys were on here

Cheers

Karl.

 

[TammyLiz]

Unfortunately that ebay store you linked to only has a rating of 3 and there is no other ebay store that sells it. I recently had a terrible experience with someone on ebay and lost money. I wouldn't buy from someone with that low of a rating. They could be just trying to get money from suckers like me and then disappear.

 

[danski]

i use eco-complete, but i agree with you i bought mines from ebay also and waited nearly a month to receive it,and priority 3day shipping was listed.Although it is a great product i would of prefered cash and carry.im sure all sellers dont have this issue though,just my 2cents

 

[TammyLiz]

I think I'm going to use the pea gravel with laterite mixed in the lower layer. That seemed like the best thing to do. I wish they sold black pea gravel, though. I liked the idea of the eco-complete but unless my LFS sells it at a good price (and I don't think they have it, I will check) I will probably not get it because of the expense in a 4 foot tank. My husband will love me more if I use the pea gravel . That way I can say "Babe, I could have spent two or three times as much!"
He'll be falling in love all over again.

 

[George Farmer]

Personally I'd avoid pea gravel. Generally it contains lots of lime that will increase the hardness and pH of your water, something that you don't really want in a planted tank. Common pea gravel sizes (3-6mm or so) isn't great either as the large size of the grains can block delicate root growth.

This said I had relative success with 1-3mm sized pea gravel mixed with laterite. My pH and hardness did increase but I kept this in check with big, regular water changes.

I suppose it depends on if you value your husbands approval over a decent substrate!

 

[Ste_J]

Quote from another forum re soilmaster

"It's a fracted clay, similar to Flourite. Made for landscaping use, less than $20 per 50lb. bag. Doesn't claim to have the same bio-available iron content, but no one who uses it seems to be complaining"

Available from lesco

 

[TammyLiz]

"Personally I'd avoid pea gravel. Generally it contains lots of lime that will increase the hardness and pH of your water, something that you don't really want in a planted tank. Common pea gravel sizes (3-6mm or so) isn't great either as the large size of the grains can block delicate root growth." -gf225

Very interesting. I picked up some pea gravel today at the hardware/garden shop, but I am unhappy with the size of the pieces. Some of them are as large as 1cm! I don't want it buffering my water up. That would get annoying. I was going to set up the tank yesterday but I was pretty sick (sinus infection or something) so I was going to do it tonight but now I'm thinking maybe I should wait and check out this soilmaster thing. Thanks guys. I really appreciate all the input. I'll let you know what I end up doing.

Tammy

 

[sub.42]

Personally I'd avoid pea gravel. Generally it contains lots of lime that will increase the hardness and pH of your water, something that you don't really want in a planted tank. Common pea gravel sizes (3-6mm or so) isn't great either as the large size of the grains can block delicate root growth.

This said I had relative success with 1-3mm sized pea gravel mixed with laterite. My pH and hardness did increase but I kept this in check with big, regular water changes.

gf,

I am using pea gravel, over a good aquabasis/aquaclay/laterite/JBL florapol 'bed, and I'm beginning to have my suspicions about the gravel too. I am using peat to reduce pH, and with the addition of Co2, the pH stays low enough, but not particularly stable (6.7-7.0). I think this may be down to my DIY Co2, but as you say, a decent substrate, that won't buffer or otherwise mess with your tank parameters or cause you a headache is invaluable.

Better off going for sand over some nice laterite and other 'depot' type additives. Oh, by the way, the laterite caused my tanks iron level to rise dramatically over the first two weeks, now it has levelled off and my new amano shrimps are dealing with all the excess algea.

sub.

ps, a substrate heater cable is the best thing I have ever added to my tank, I have seen rooting like never before, week-in-the-tank Ludwigia Palustris(sp) throwing out heavy roots and shoots! Cool!

 

[TammyLiz]

Quote from another forum re soilmaster

"It's a fracted clay, similar to Flourite. Made for landscaping use, less than $20 per 50lb. bag. Doesn't claim to have the same bio-available iron content, but no one who uses it seems to be complaining"

Available from lesco

I found that thread in that forum by searching google and read it. I am convinced I should give it a try. Its got to be better than pea gravel, and it comes in grey! I want to have cories in there, is it sharp? I would just get in my car and drive to the local lesco (I never heard of it but I looked it up and apparantly there is one like 5 miles from my house), but I called them to see exactly where they are located and they closed like 20 minutes ago, AND they don't open on the weekends!

So...I bought some plants today thinking I would set up the tank tonight. I also bought a fish and shes on hold at the LFS (My filter is already seeded on another tank and its too crowded to put her in there, she'll get killed), so I cant wait until Monday to set it up. I'll uh...do something...smart..hopefully.

 

[Ste_J]

Have you checked out that forum for other information about where to get it from? Surely it must be stocked elsewhere? Never seen any mention of it over here but from what reading I have done, it seems to be a very good option and well worth holding back until Monday for if you can't find it elsewhere.

Just found this place selling it as well so it looks like there should be others

Soilmaster® Select Series Infield Conditioner & Topdressing

For premium performance and a color that will set your field apart, choose the Soilmaster® Select Series from Pro's Choice®. Scientifically engineered to meet daily maintenance challenges and give your field a professional look, Soilmaster® Select is the TRUE choice of groundskeepers around the league for building and maintaining winning ballfields. Available in four distinct colors, Soilmaster® Select's uniform granules manage moisture and alleviate compaction to keep your field in top playing condition. Available in red, green brown and charcoal.


So it's for baseball fields? No wonder we are not getting it over here!