Which Substrate To Use?

[FishOrBust]

Could I use these in a 20 gallon im going to set up. for some cichlids

Eco-Complete Plant Substrate

No rinsing - packed in Liquid Amazon buffered "Black Water" solution for immediate organic water conditioning. Contains all mineral nutrients needed for luxuriant aquatic plant growth. Includes live Heterotrophic bacteria to rapidly convert fish waste into natural food for your plants.

Or would this be better, or a mix of the 2?

Flourite

Brings a noticeable improvement in plant growth/response. This stable, porous clay substrate is rich in iron, so it eliminates the need for laterite supplementation in your planted tanks. Mix with existing gravel or use alone as a substrate for best results.

Or is there something better? also, how would i clean it if i used it? can't suck it can you with a python, can you?

I found these on Drsfostersmith.com

I plan on having 30 watts lighting and co2

 

[nry]

Personally I would go for something like Tropica substrate beneath a layer of sand. I didn't personally get on with EcoComplete, never tried Flourite though.

Anything but pea gravel can be sucked up with a siphon, all you can do is wave your hand over the sand or stir it slightly, then carefully siphon a few centimetres above it when cleaning the tank. If you end up with a carpeting plant that does well, there is no way or no need to stir the sand, just wave your hand over the carpet and suck up what floats around afterwards.

 

[Themuleous]

I have found eco-complete to be excellent, but Nry is right about it getting sucked up by a siphon. Not tried flourite, but I hear it need a LOT of cleaning before you add it to the tank.

My next tank will use tropica substrate with gravel top so I can siphon the gravel without sucking up all the substrate!

Sam

 

[nry]

If you like the black of EcoComplete, I found this at AquaEssentials which I have used in my 5-gallon and it is really nice, naturally black so no resin colouring etc:

http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/index.php?...roducts_id=1208

 

[SuperColey1]

After reading Toms posts on Non CO2 tanks and using Leonardite as the base layer before using your main substrate on top, then the inert on top of that, I spent some time trying to find Leonardite...Very difficult to find.. I tried searching Yahoo and all the others. Then considered getting a cost for importing it.

Then on msn I just typed leonardite and then click UK sites and the first search result lead me to a site which then lead me to a site...on...on etc.

And here it is Leonardite available in the UK and at a very good price. Im gonna use this in my EI tank as well.

http/www.ntlabs.co.uk/product_details.php?product_id=141

I guess if Tom says its good then it must be. lol

(I will use Tropica Substrate on top and then playsand on top of that as the barrier)

Andy