Substrate for Low Maintenence 10 Gal

[DeirdreHoyle]

Hi guys, I randomly won a 10 Gallon aquarium at a raffle at a fish store so I'm thinking about moving my betta out of his 6 gal and into this new tank. I have 1 crypt lutea, 2 banana plants, and some kind of anubias...I think it's undulatus but im not sure. Anyway, I've only ever done gravel substrate. Is there a good type of substrate to get to support these plants?

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[brennae]

banana plants don't get rooted in the substrate and neither do anubias because the rhizome will rot. I attach my anubias to rocks with rubber bands or you can use cotton thread etc. Banana plants i leave sitting on top the substrate. Sand is great and easy to deal with, I recommend pool filter sand. Its pretty clean out of the bad whereas play sand you have to rinse and rinse and rinse some more. If you want black substrate eco-complete is great.

Congrats on winning!

 

[DeirdreHoyle]

Thanks Brennae! I have definitely been looking at sand because I've thought about getting some pygmy cories (my betta is friendly).

I definitely don't want to do the excessive rinsing so I think I'll go with play sand. Do you have to do a lot of rinsing with eco-complete?

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[Fresh2o]

Thanks Brennae! I have definitely been looking at sand because I've thought about getting some pygmy cories (my betta is friendly).

I definitely don't want to do the excessive rinsing so I think I'll go with play sand. Do you have to do a lot of rinsing with eco-complete?

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Edit: Hit Send too soon.
Eco-Complete requires no rinsing, pool filter sand may require some rinsing, and play sand requires LOTS of washing and rinsing.



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[DeirdreHoyle]

Edit: Hit Send too soon.
Eco-Complete requires no rinsing, pool filter sand may require some rinsing, and play sand requires LOTS of washing and rinsing.



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Oops, I meant pool filter sand when I said play sand.

Is there a big price difference between eco complete and pool filter sand? And do I have to get them from a fish store or can I go to a hardware store?

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[brennae]

Pool filter sand can be purchased anywhere pool supplies are sold. It's off white to a beige color depending on brand. Eco complete is black and comes in chips. Not sure how else to describe.

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[Fresh2o]

I figured you had them swapped. Pool filter sand should not be too expensive. Not sure of the exact cost.
EC can be expensive. I got it on a killer sale years ago for $9 a bag (20#). Down the street I see the same stuff and an LFS for $26-39 per bag.


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[brennae]

Pool filter sand usually runs $20 per 50 lbs in the Chicagoland area. Could be cheaper elsewhere

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[DeirdreHoyle]

Awesome, thanks for the help guys. My landlord said I couldn't have any more tanks but she didn't say anything about switching out the small one for a bigger one...so we'll see if she notices lol

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