Substrates

[netcode]

Someone who has experience and some good knowledge of substrates should write up an article about substrates to pin in the plant forum.

I would think it would be quite useful as substrates are an important factor when dealing with planted tanks.

also a quick question on laterite. i understand it is clay.. but when you buy it is it hard? is it soft? and do you break it up and mix it into a substrate mixture with other materials then top it with your gravel/sand?

 

[Themuleous]

It is hard and comes in gravel sized pieces that you just mix into the substrate and as far as I know it retains its shape in the long term too. Have you considered other substrates?

Sam

 

[netcode]

I haven't really considered substrates that much as currently i have no money to change my gravel etc. It was more a question out of curiousity because sometime in the future i will be looking at making a change over to sand, when who knows.

another question, do nutrients that come from substrates show up in water tests?

 

[madcaow]

good idea.

its a shame i cant seem to find any of the substrates mentioned on this site here in Melbs at all!

maybe aquaclay but i cant find any details about it here. ive seen the ADA one online in some shop in perth which is no good for me! heh.

im just gunna be stuck with horrible coloured gravel that came with my tank i think! gah.

 

[Themuleous]

There will be a certain amount of leakage from the substrate into the water, how much I dont know, but guess it could be enough to show up on a tesk kit.