The Right Substrate

[RRasco]

Ok, so I am wanting to add a new substrate and some plants to my aquarium. I had originally wanted to use the CaribSea Tahitian Moon Sand, but heard that it was not good for planted aquariums. The main thing I want is a real fine dark substrate that is good for planted tanks. I have been looking at the SeaChem Gray Coast but not sure if it is dark enough for me. You guys have any suggestions as to what else to use? I am also trying to stay away from $30 a bag, I have seen Gray Coast at Petsmart for $16.99/22lb bag. I want the look of a dark sandy bottom that my plants can thrive in. Thanks in advance guys.

- Rasco

 

[Graeme Edwards]

ADA aqua-soil Amazon powder type is what you want.
ADA aqua soil is considered the best in the business, its used with an ADA product called power sand which helps bacterial colonization around roots helping with nutrient uptake by plants, its allot more complicated than that so ask as many questions as you feel necessary.

 

[RRasco]

i have looked at that stuff, quite expensive. i have not found it locally either, even more discouraging since its like $1/lb to ship. never the less....if i did use the ADA, i would use what kind of mixture? i have a 55 gallon tank so i know i need atleast 60 lbs. or 27 liters. so 2 bags powder, and 1 powersand?

i do also have that Hagans co2 cannister. what other supplements should i be using?

any experience with Grey Coast?

 

[Themuleous]

You could try eco-complete?

 

[RRasco]

i looked at that stuff and it is not consistent enough grain size for me, and at $28/per bag...i went ahead and got 2 bags of SeaChem Gray Coast and 1 bag of SeaChem Flourite. if necessary i will switch to something better later, but i like the consistency and price of this stuff.

and i quote "The best knowledge is learnt first hand"

thanks guys.

 

[beez]

i just switched to the eco-complete myself. its a dark charcoal color. cost me about 25 bucks for a 22 lb bag (it may have been 20 lbs) its a pretty fine consistancey. there are a very few small gravel sized pieces but it mainly just looks like sand.

 

[RRasco]

ok, so i mistook gray coast for something else. so i am going to take all of them back, and i think i am going to bite the bullet and get eco-complete as well. i have seen it, and it varies in size, but ultimately looks like dirt to me. i was interested in the ADA powder, but i cant find it locally. and i am not going to pay $1/lb to ship it. what would be the advice for possibily layering substrates? say, 2 bags eco-complete and a top layer of tahitian moon sand? or would this just be asking for trouble?

 

[dasmall1]

Have you looked into Seachem's Black Onyx sand?

 

[RRasco]

i cant seem to find any of the good stuff locally and once again....am not going to pay shipping. however last night i went ahead and just used regular play sand, and a little tahitian moon sand. im going to use ferts and co2 to sustain the plants in there. thanks for all the help guys.

 

[plantbrain]

Huoston is where it's shipped out from from ADG.
It's worth the extra cost, it's dry and not as heavy as EC, F or Grey onxy.
EC you pay for water, the actualy weight dry is much less, about 1/2.

So that's 10-12lbs at most per bag.

1 x 9 liter bag of ADa Aqua soil is = to 2 bags of flourite BTW...........
It'll never scratch your glass along the gravel line, it'll certainly grow your plants better than any of the other choices.

The cost is close to the same per unit after it's all said and done.
Do not use the pwoder type, use the medium size, the powered types is dusty mush.

You also do not need to rinse the ADA aqua soil, it's also much more consistent grain size than the other products. You have hard water in Texas anyway, use the ADA soil.
Are you in the plant clubs there?
One in Dallas.one in Houston, lots of free give away plant swaps, talks, etc.


Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[RRasco]

no im not, and i actually ended up just using sand. it was cheap enough to try and if not...do a swap later on. i am planning on using ferts and co2 to help the growth.

you can see the tank here:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=154958

 

[xJake]

I'm using a fine black gravel that I picked up at my lfs for $13/25lbs. It's working well (my plants are thriving) and it looks very similar to the tahitian moon sand.