Substrate

[sparkus88]

Hi I was wondering what substrate to use for my rio 180. I want a black substrate so 1st decided on http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/unipac-black-micro-aquarium-gravel-125kg-p-3793.html but I want live plants and wasn't sure if this would be suitable. So I found carib sea eco complete black but can I use this on its own or should I have a layer of gravel on top? Also can I use the micro gravel by itself for plant substrate? I would be using root tabs as well. Final question, if I should use both eco complete and the gravel should they be 2 seperate layers or can they be mixed together because it wouldn't be easy to keep seperate when trying to cleaning the gravel?

Thanks
Mark

 

[Katch]

Layer of well rinsed sophisticat pink litter topped with any black sand/gravel would be ideal.

Aquapack do a good fine black gravel.

The cat litter is an absorbent clay that can hold nutrients and deliver them to the plants roots - the litter also allows the roots to develop a good system of hairs leading to healthier plants.

It does have some kind of odour control on it which is why it needs rinsing - mine was fine to use afer about 10 min rinsing under running water in a bucket.

I was sceptical about using cat litter but I have it in my 29 litre and my plants are looking great - I am also currently breeding celestial pearl danio in there (10 fry from my last spawning) so the fish are fine with it. In fact when I set the scape up - I rinsed the substrate and put it in, planted and filled; I attached a cycled filter and added the fish straight away. They showed absolutely no signs of having any problems with the water quality or anything nasty leaching out of the litter.