Tropica Plant Substrate

[jameshughes1989]

Hi guys, Ive made a thread in the tropical discussion due to my problem but Ill post here too, mainly about the bit thats relevant.

Ive just switched my substrate to tropica plant substrate, and now Ive got an ammonia spike, will this substrate cause this?

Cheers for any advice

 

[PaBucsFan]

I would say that it is possible the material in the new substrate is causing it. I am willing to bet that from you removing the old substrate caused you to lose the good bacteria that was eating the ammonia. Hope this helps!

 

[jacko32]

I would say that it is possible the material in the new substrate is causing it. I am willing to bet that from you removing the old substrate caused you to lose the good bacteria that was eating the ammonia. Hope this helps!

yes this is right
by removing the mature substrate your tank has gone in to a mini cycle daily large water changes for a while now untill your new substrate is colonized

 

[jacko32]

I would say that it is possible the material in the new substrate is causing it. I am willing to bet that from you removing the old substrate caused you to lose the good bacteria that was eating the ammonia. Hope this helps!

yes this is right
by removing the mature substrate your tank has gone in to a mini cycle daily large water changes for a while now untill your new substrate is colonized

 

[jameshughes1989]

Hey thanks, sorry I should of mentioned (I just did on the other thread), I didnt have a substrate in there before.

So, you think it will settle down in a couple of days? Ill keep testing

Thanks

 

[SuperColey1]

Its definately not the Tropica that is supplying the ammonia spike. If anything it should help avoid it as long as the cap layer is sufficient!!!

Tropica's substrate isn't a nutrient rich substrate as such. It doesn't come as a substrate of goodies that depletes over time. It is a high CEC substrate which means that the way it works is it 'sucks' in nutrient and acts like a nutrient store. the plants can then access the nutrients via their roots.

Therefore it should be 'sucking' in ammonia. Means that if you have an ammonia spike now then it would have been much much worse!!!

AC

 

[jameshughes1989]

Okay then thanks. I cant see what else could have caused a spike though. This is the other thread I made with the story of maybe why Ive got a spike http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/335533-help-with-ammonia-spike/ , any ideas then?

Cheers

 

[Nick16]

even though it isnt causing the spike it will cause you a headache soon. it just turns to mud after a while. wouldnt not recommend that substrate to anyone.

 

[PaBucsFan]

Going with the good bacteria idea that I post before, it may be possible that you buried your good bacteria that was colonized on the glass at the bottom of the tank thus creating a mini cycle.

 

[Nick16]

no, thats impossible.. after all it will still be thriving on the decor and filter media.

there will be another explanation.
something added, something leaching. an un-noticed power failure briefly of a filter or something.

 

[ian]

or rubbish test kits

 

[SuperColey1]

even though it isnt causing the spike it will cause you a headache soon. it just turns to mud after a while. wouldnt not recommend that substrate to anyone.

Each to their own I personally would recommend it very highly after all it is what has been under my sand for the past 3 years. lol. Doesn't like being disturbed though I will admit

AC

 

[jameshughes1989]

Okay well I thought I would try it. I am now at a loss to why Ive got an ammonia spike though. I guess Ill just have to ride the mini cycle out.

Cheers

 

[PDSimon]

My tropica substrate seems to be doing well, only had it a month or something but its under argos play sand and seems to be staying put. I've had to dig pretty deep and it hasn't made a mess, as of yet!