Substrate Plan For 240ltr Tank

[MoreCoffee]

After what seems like an erternity, (but is in fact 4 months) I'm now in a position to setup my
240Ltr tank.

I'm after some thoughts on my plan for the substrate.

I've used ADA AS & PS in my 60cm tank and am very happy with the effect on plant growth, but less
happy with how easy it is to work with after a few months.
If I want to make changes to the plant layout I end up with bits of PS on the surface and also with
plumes of dirt if anything needs moving...... all of which I was expecting andis managable in a small tank !

I've also used Eco-complete in the past and found it very easy to work with, especially when trying to plant
delicate or small foreground/carpeting plants.

So here's my thoughts (not parted with the cash yet, so always subject to change) .....

A sublayer of ADA Aquasoil topped with a layer of eco-complete.

I'm thinking of around a 50/50 split. There is also the option of putting a thin layer of mulm or even peat on the bottom. I also have some spare ADA Tourmaline, SuperClear and Bacter100.

What I'd be hoping is that the aquasoil will provide a good rooting environment and nutrient base whilst the
top layer of Eco-complete should make planting of forground/caprpet plants a little easier and help keep
down the clouds when working with the plants .... although it wont stop it altogether, especially if I'm
removing a plant with deep roots.

I will need to move plants around at some point, as the plan is to plant heavily with fast growers in the early
stages and then gradually replace with some slower growing, lower maintenance plants.

Either one on it's own should be OK and both substrates have their benefits and are my main concern is how it will combine over time. The effects of ADA on PH and KH dont concern me too much, they've not caused me any undue worries in my 60cm tank, it's just a case of wait 2 - 3 weeks before adding any fish/shrimp.


For info ....
The tank will have additional CO2, approx 2.8wpg lighting. Ferts are still to be decided, I'd like to run it
on EI, but changing 50% of 240Ltrs each week might put me off that. Could go for ADA ferts or Seachem Flourish
range and/or Tropica with smaller water changes (20 - 25%).

Any thoughts welcome ......

Cheers
Al

 

[JamesC]

Why not go 100% Eco Complete? I hate layering substrates as they eventually do get all mixed up. If you do decide to go EI then the substrate isn't quite so important.

James

 

[Themuleous]

Yeh I would agree with James, layered substrates never work, and am I right in thinking AS is slightly bigger than EC anyway? So it'd soon find its way to the surface.

But then AS is very good at growing plants. Not done any comparisons or anything but, I would think AS is 'better' than EC so having it as well would mean you'd get the best of both worlds.

Just out of interest when you used the EC did you notice it increased KH and GH, its definitely done that im both my tanks that have it, so the EC and AS would be working against each other, might give you somewhere in between say 2KH that might just prove perfect?

I know what you mean about the 50% EI water change on bigger tanks, when I get my 100G I think I might do 0.5PO4 and 5NO3 with just 25% water changes, even with such a small water change the reduced dosing would mean it'd not get above 6 and 20 respectively, both healthy limits for a tank and thats without any being removed by the plants. From my limited experience of EI I think you could get away with 25% water changes, might just need to be more careful.

Just my thoughts, sounds like its gonna be a quality tank

Sam

 

[MoreCoffee]

James / Sam,

Thanks for the comments.

I can't argue with the fact that a single substrate would be the best long term option ( easier maintenance )

I'd like to be able to get the benefits of both substrates and would be interested to see how an ADA/Eco-complete mix would work, but it's probably best to try it on a smaller tank.

I'll probably go for 100% Eco-complete and try 'kick start' it with some mulm and added ADA Tourmaline,
Bacter100 and SuperClear.

Cheers

 

[Themuleous]

What do you mean by 'kick start'? EC comes precured with bacteria so there shouldn't be any need.

Be interested to see how you find the plant growth compared to the AS.

I will add that I'm gonna be re-scaping my nano and was think I might try as/EC mix, if I do. I let you know how it goes.

How do you think its look? With the two substrates mixed I mean?

Sam

 

[George Farmer]

I'd go 100% EC or AS personally.

 

[Aqua Essentials]

I'd go 100% EC or AS personally.

Yep, don't mix the two, it's either one or the other.

 

[MoreCoffee]

Sam:

.......What do you mean by 'kick start'? EC comes precured with bacteria so there shouldn't be any need........

Yeah EC does come 'pre-conditioned' however as I already have the other ingredients available from a previous Aquaessentials order, I cant resist including them when I do the setup .
I may also add some extra Iron into the substrate
Afterall, adding this lot can only improve things......

Super Clear:
Improves water quality while promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria A highly refined activated carbon powder mixed with several nutrients that promote the growth of beneficial nutrifying bacteria.

Bacter100:
Containing more than 100 different kinds of micro organisms in a dormant state.

Tourmaline:
Tourmaline is a mineral compound of iron, aluminium, sodium, boron, lithium and magnesium which are gradually dissolved, enriching water of important elements.

Richard & George:
I think I'll end up going for 100% EC in the 240ltr tank. ADA AS has been really good in my other tank, but you do have to be very careful working with it after a few months.

I may also try an idea George was toying with (not sure if you ever tried it though), that is setting up the tank hardware and substrate (no plants) and running it fully blacked out for a period of a few weeks. Not sure if you'd have to 'feed' the tank to encourage the bacteria growth.
If I remember correctly this was to try get the filter and substrate into a mature state and the water stable to try avoid early algae issues ...... any futher thoughts on this George ?

I think I'm just too curious about this to pass up the opportunity of giving it a go !

Cheers
Al