Coyne
Aquarium Advice Addict
So, Ive got everything purchased and waiting for my 45G rescape... everything except the substrate.
I had been leaning heavily towards the ADA Amazonia substrate (regular sized with the powder cap). Lets face it, James Findley over at The Green Machine and his aquascaping make a good commercial for the stuff. The pH lowering effect would be an added benefit as my water is a rather high 8.2. My water is also super Hard though, so Im not sure how effective it will be in the long run. If it does work, then that would make the added expense worth it to me.
However, as I get closer to pulling the trigger, Im starting to wonder if going with the Miracle-Gro dirted tank might be a less expensive route that will ultimately yield the same results. Information outside of DustinsDirtedTanks seems limited... and Im not keen on buying his books because he was a little jerky when I met him at an aquarium trade show last fall.
Im not sure if I would do the Eco-Complete cap or just a simple black sand. Im planning on a large shoal of Pygmy Corys, so probably the sand. However, if the Eco-complete would make a significant difference with the plants, then I think I could be convinced to go that route.
Im hoping for some insight from folks who have experience with either... or even better, both. Pros and cons... tips and tricks.
If it makes a difference, here's a list of the plants Im planning on planting:
DBT carpet
Giant Hair Grass
Golden Lloyliella
Hygrophila (blue)
Limnophilia Hippuroides
Golden Nesae
Rotala Indica
Red Tiger Lotus
I had been leaning heavily towards the ADA Amazonia substrate (regular sized with the powder cap). Lets face it, James Findley over at The Green Machine and his aquascaping make a good commercial for the stuff. The pH lowering effect would be an added benefit as my water is a rather high 8.2. My water is also super Hard though, so Im not sure how effective it will be in the long run. If it does work, then that would make the added expense worth it to me.
However, as I get closer to pulling the trigger, Im starting to wonder if going with the Miracle-Gro dirted tank might be a less expensive route that will ultimately yield the same results. Information outside of DustinsDirtedTanks seems limited... and Im not keen on buying his books because he was a little jerky when I met him at an aquarium trade show last fall.
Im not sure if I would do the Eco-Complete cap or just a simple black sand. Im planning on a large shoal of Pygmy Corys, so probably the sand. However, if the Eco-complete would make a significant difference with the plants, then I think I could be convinced to go that route.
Im hoping for some insight from folks who have experience with either... or even better, both. Pros and cons... tips and tricks.
If it makes a difference, here's a list of the plants Im planning on planting:
DBT carpet
Giant Hair Grass
Golden Lloyliella
Hygrophila (blue)
Limnophilia Hippuroides
Golden Nesae
Rotala Indica
Red Tiger Lotus