What substrate do you have?

[hadjici2]

Many people say "I have 25% clay and 25% laterite and 50% gravel". I am going to start a small 20L heavy plantload nano tank and I would like to have a good substrate but also understand why I chose it...so I chose to investigate the matter. Help me out please by explaining what substrate do you have and why you chose it.

NOTE: If your substrate is in layers please start with the bottom layer. If the substrate is a mixture please note how much with how much was mixed. If your substrate has any special needs before or after instalation please give information.

Kindest regards,

John.

 

[handsomeboy]

i have 25% flourite and 75% pool filtration sand mixed. i would go for more flourite, but i dont have any money.

 

[Angry_Platy]

I currently have 100% sand but the plants have been suffering so I am switching to a grabel/laterite mix in the next few days/week/this weeked. Reason: plants do better in laterite than without.

They'd better anyways.

OH...and I will be using a substrate heater as well

 

[George Farmer]

For a 20 litre I'd recommend 100% Flourite or Ecocomplete. The quantity you'd need will be cheap enough for that size - probably about 5Kg (10lb).

 

[houndour]

I'm setting up a 5 gallon planted tank.

I've used 2cm Laterite, with about 1.5cm sand on top.

I was going to use 100% flourite as one bag at £20 would do. But 1) I couldnt get hold of a bag and 2) I'm getting a puffer and sand substrate is more suitable.

Are you putting any fish in the tank?

In my 20gallon I have sand mixed with laterite for the bottom half, with sand on top.

 

[paulioo]

Mines consists of a bottom layer of laterite covered by a top layer of play sand.

Tomorrow i'm all set for a huge change to my tank. A carpet of glosso with some rocks as the centrepiece. It should be fun and games tomorrow

 

[RYO]

600g of JBL Florapol and play sand topped off with plain play sand.

 

[mellowserra]

In my 75 USgal planted, the bottom inch is Shultz's Profile mixed with about 80oz of laterite and just a *little* play sand.

Middle layer, ~2in, is a mixture of peat, vermiculite, and lime (Jiffy-Mix), with about a pound of earthworm castings and some enough playsand to make it loamy.

Top layer is ~1.5 inches of Tahitian Moon Sand .

 

[hadjici2]

1. When you say Flourite I believe it is the Flourite by Seachem right?

2. Is it easy to anchor plants in Flourite or is sand needed so that plants will not float away?

3. Is Flourite small graded? Because I will be using it for a nano tank and it would look bad if it was large in size.

4. Do you suggest to use 100% Flourite or also place a thin layer of fine gravel on top so as not to expose the Flourite directly to the water column? Also it would look better if the Flourite is large in size?

5. Should I also place a thin layer of organic substrate in between two Flourite layers? What would be a good organic substrate (peat?) and where could I find it?

 

[George Farmer]

1. When you say Flourite I believe it is the Flourite by Seachem right?

2. Is it easy to anchor plants in Flourite or is sand needed so that plants will not float away?

3. Is Flourite small graded? Because I will be using it for a nano tank and it would look bad if it was large in size.

4. Do you suggest to use 100% Flourite or also place a thin layer of fine gravel on top so as not to expose the Flourite directly to the water column? Also it would look better if the Flourite is large in size?

5. Should I also place a thin layer of organic substrate in between two Flourite layers? What would be a good organic substrate (peat?) and where could I find it?

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1. Yes - Seachem Flourite.

2. Flourite is ideal for anchoring plants.

3. The grains are small.

4. Go for 100% Flourite. It is designed to be used this way - just rinse thoroughly.

5. No need to add organic substances - it may cause more problems. The nutrients contained in the Flourite will be more than ample.

 

[qwikimpss]

I have a 50-50 mix of flourite and gravel....not ideal but seems to me borking just fine.