sharkey Posted January 27, 2006 Report Share Posted January 27, 2006 What subtrates does everyone use for their planted tanks and what have you found to be the best? If you don't use subtrate, do you use fertiliser balls? Seeing I have to start again with my 75l I am going to do it properly with a good quality subtrate and the correct lighting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Posted January 27, 2006 Report Share Posted January 27, 2006 I just use river sand in my planted tank. I put a 50% layer of unwashed, so it had all the mud and co. and then the top 50% layer was well washed. The plants seem to of gone crazy. I am getting rid of that tank so when i get the new one, i plan to use some of that special stuff they sell in aquariums to go under the gravel, and the fine white pool filter sand they sell at pool shops :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jess Posted January 27, 2006 Report Share Posted January 27, 2006 I have used a whole heap of gravels on my tanks in years, and I have to agree with phil, fine river sand is my favourite. It just looks right. Kuhlis, cories, dwarf cichlids just love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuckie Posted January 27, 2006 Report Share Posted January 27, 2006 I use a combination of coarse river sand and small gravel. For root feeders I also use clay root-balls etc. None of my current plants need to be fed by the roots, though. Stem plants take nutrients from the water column so adding fertiliser to the gravel isn't as important for them. The one think I have found to really make a big difference in a planted tank, much more so that substrate, is light. It seems to be impossible to get a standard tank set up that has anywhere near enough WPG for even hygro etc to grow. All my planted tanks have had to be modified to squeeze in extra tubes under the hood to get anywhere near enough light happening. Annoying! Wish I could afford metal halide :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canfeleq Posted January 28, 2006 Report Share Posted January 28, 2006 I have used that stuff they sell in aquarium stores, it's called Fluorite. I have used it alone and as a layer under regular gravel and have found that, once the water clears, it's great. The one think I have found to really make a big difference in a planted tank, much more so that substrate, is light. It seems to be impossible to get a standard tank set up that has anywhere near enough WPG for even hygro etc to grow. I agree, Lighting is SO important. If you can't add extra lights, only go with low light level plants. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharkey Posted January 28, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2006 I've been reading up on lighting all morning as I'm going to try and get this tank right (I hope). :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Posted January 28, 2006 Report Share Posted January 28, 2006 Mabey you could get MH light Sharon? You can get one for as low as $250, i plan to get one for my tank after i pay my tafe fees and car rego and the brisbane trip - it just keeps going! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharkey Posted January 28, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2006 Mabey you could get MH light Sharon? What's so good about them? $250 :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuckie Posted January 28, 2006 Report Share Posted January 28, 2006 well they look absolutely awesome, and your red plants will stay red, and you can grow riccia and other stuff people will be envious of but ... you would have to be serious about plants to fork out that much or more for one! Something to dream about, though. Anyone know if MH gets hot? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jess Posted January 28, 2006 Report Share Posted January 28, 2006 You can get heat build up problems, I am guessing thats why some people hang them from the ceiling above the tank? (always a good look no matter the reason) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callatya Posted January 28, 2006 Report Share Posted January 28, 2006 MH is heat +++, no good in a small tank without either serious fannage or a tiny chiller, it'd just roast. compact fluros should be more than enough, providing you can get 1WPG or more, you can grow good plants. I don't think they sell retrofit kits for those tanks out here yet *maybe* one of those balancy-on-the-spaceage-legs lights that hovers over the tank would hold 2 tubes? that'd get you over 1wpg As for substrate, i have java fern, so it doesn't matter, but when i had other stuff it grew fine in fine gravel. The main thing is not to have big gravel, and not to have powdery sand, as powdery sand compacts a lot, and course rocks (pea-sized gravel or bigger) leave the roots too exposed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.