55 planted tank! :)

[joebro3333]

What kind of substrate would be the best for this build? I have heard many different options need advice


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[Brookster123]

Need all the details here, what are you shooting for? How much of your money can we spend?

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[elephantnose]

I was told activ-flora was the best idk but I ended up spendind like $120. (For my 55g)

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[BBradbury]

55 Gallon Substrate

What kind of substrate would be the best for this build? I have heard many different options need advice


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Hello joe...

Standard pea-sized gravel is likely the easiest to keep clean of organic material that collects on the bottom and the least expensive if you're on a tight budget.

B

 

[Brookster123]

Hello joe...

Standard pea-sized gravel is likely the easiest to keep clean of organic material that collects on the bottom and the least expensive if you're on a tight budget.

B

Actually....... no... it's not.. any of what you said.. it's the least practical substrate for a dedicated planted tank.. pool filter sand would way cheaper and way more practical.

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[Fresh2o]

I've been using EcoComplete and it works quite well in my low light shrimp tank and high tech planted tank. Dark, not too heavy, high CEC (cation exchange capacity).
If on a budget I'd suggest pool filter sand.



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[Coursair]

Yep Sand is inexpensive and great for planted tanks.

I've also used Black Diamond Blasting Sand. It's a PITA to rinse, but looks nice. It's a bit rough for Cories.

I use Root Tabs under the sand and my plants do very well.



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[joebro3333]

How do you clean the sand?


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[Coursair]

How do you clean the sand?


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You hover the gravel vac above the sand and make a gentle circular motion to suck up detritus. You don't want to over vacuum a planted tank as you would be sucking nutrition away from the plants.


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[joebro3333]

Alright and I heard with that certain sand there is a chance that there is toxic oil and you need to rinse a lot. And maybe use dawn dish soap?


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[Fresh2o]

Alright and I heard with that certain sand there is a chance that there is toxic oil and you need to rinse a lot. And maybe use dawn dish soap?


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Not sure which sand you are referring to. Dish soap is not a good thing to use. I would just avoid the sand.


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[Coursair]

Alright and I heard with that certain sand there is a chance that there is toxic oil and you need to rinse a lot. And maybe use dawn dish soap?


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??? Hmm. Never heard that one. Never use soap.

My Black Diamond Blasting Sand was very dusty. Had a bit of film on water surface at first. Toxic ? No.

The pic with the Betta is the Blasting Sand. I kept Amano Shrimp in there as well.

The only thing I have ever been told is that if you have a deep sand bed say 3 inches or more ,you can occasionally get a gas pocket that could possibly be harmful. My substrate is never more than 2 inches and I have MTS snails that constantly stir up my sand I've never had an issue.

My club members that have deep sand beds occasionally use a chopstick to poke around in it. But most of us have MTS in our tanks so we don't worry about it.


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[joebro3333]

What are MTS snails?


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[Fresh2o]

What are MTS snails?


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Malaysian Trumpet Snails. Tropical snails with long, spiral (think pointy ice cream cone) shells. Burrowing habit, breeds frequently, live bearing. Great scavenger.


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[Coursair]

A large one is to the left of my C habrosus. They get about 1.5" but some get larger.

http://www.planetinverts.com/malaysian_trumpet_snail.html




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[joebro3333]

Thank you for the advice and pictures they really help


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[Coursair]

You are welcome ?


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[Brookster123]

Alright and I heard with that certain sand there is a chance that there is toxic oil and you need to rinse a lot. And maybe use dawn dish soap?


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Not using the tar sands i keep hearing about on NPR?? I vote Eco complete if you want performance without breaking the bank. I used flourite black sand capped with standard black sand.. seems to be working ok, i add super toot tabs once a month as well..

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[Coursair]

Supertoot !!! LOL Brookster


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[Brookster123]

Supertoot !!! LOL Brookster


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Hehe whoops.. meant super root tabs..

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