Under Substrate Heating.....

[BigIan]

i`ve read that substrate heating when you have a sand substrate will help to prevent anareobic decay...

but if the substarte is over the top of a layer of laterite does that still work?

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Laterite is not put in in a layer, it is mixed into the bottom 1-1.5 inches of whatever substrate you are using.

Never heard that urban legend about heater cables and anerobic pockets til now. Malaysian trumpet Snails will prevent anerobic pockets.

 

[simonbrown403]

The ides is it circulates the water through the substrate via convection currents formed by the heater cable.

There not essential and the use is debatable, but IMO if you mess around with your tanks a lot, IE moving plants they do help by encouraging the plants to root quicker, once they have done that the root system will stop anaerobic decay by pumping oxygen to there roots.

 

[NAL]

The oringal idea, developed by Dupla and Dennerle, was that the heating cables would mimic natural springs circulating thorough the substrate to help in the provision of nutrients to the roots. I have a Dennerle one that I tried when I started out with plant tanks, and towards the end of the tank I had at the time I switched it off, with no deleterious impact on plant growth. I've never used it again since, and wouldn't really see it as a vital component of any set-up. They can also be pretty costly items to purchase, and my view would be that your cash could be better spent elsewhere.

Nick

 

[oldwhitewood]

They are quite expensive yes. Dennerle recommend one MUST be used at all costs! I used to use one but now don't bother and have not noticed anything to say that a cable is needed.