monsterz3ro
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
The last time I posted, I asked several questions that I had already found some answers for but felt that I was finding "conflicting information", only to have it turn out that after further reading, there wasn't as much conflict as I thought there was- just me not being thorough enough. So, I hope that this is not the same case. Please bear with me.
I have a 56 gallon column aquarium (link) - slightly taller than the more traditional 55/56 gallon aquariums. I know lighting will be tricky, but/and I am wondering if this would also affect my choice of substrate or if this would be unchanged and based solely on the plants I want, not the depth of the aquarium.
Currently I have 35 lbs of medium-sized polished pebbles (this is the closest I can find to what I have). I took a little too much advice from a somewhat-knowledgeable but clearly not stellar aquarium person at a local aquarium shop here (don't get the small, it sucks up into the syphon, and don't get the large, it clogs the syphon...). I would like to plant extensively, and would like to have a variety of plants. I understand this might be slightly more challenging given the aquarium dimensions, however I want to do it nonetheless. My concern is finding the appropriate substrate. I want to avoid sand, but will use it if necessary. I am thinking now that the medium-sized pebbles I have currently are not conducive to planting (I have read that pebbles allow too much "cooling" of the roots and other problems). I am prepared to take a hit on the cost of ditching all this gravel, if necessary, but if there is some way to utilize at least some of this instead of replacing it all flat-out, I would prefer to do that.
I'm looking for any input on:
1. Whether this gravel is worth keeping at all, and if it can be planted in?
2. Can I keep some of the gravel and mix in a second substrate, or, use this as a top layer over a different substrate?
3. What is the best "all purpose" substrate to use to allow for a variety of plants?
4. Is my choice of substrate affected by my aquarium dimensions?
I was reading about quartz substrate (crushed quartz?) last night, and heard a lot of good reviews. In spite of living in the middle of Baltimore and being close by to a lot of rich suburbs and 40 minutes from DC, I have not found much in the way of aquarium supply aside from Petsmart and Petco. There is one apparently spectacular shop, Exotic Aquatics, but everything I have read is that they are none-too-welcoming to people with "n00b" questions, so I am trying to avoid that place (though I may be making some actual plant purchases there). I am still looking around for other stores, but it seems that maybe this quartz-based substrate is not easily attainable, even at specialty mom-and-pop places? Or maybe it is and I have just gotten the wrong impression.
Anyway, any and all info/feedback/suggestions are welcome.
I have a 56 gallon column aquarium (link) - slightly taller than the more traditional 55/56 gallon aquariums. I know lighting will be tricky, but/and I am wondering if this would also affect my choice of substrate or if this would be unchanged and based solely on the plants I want, not the depth of the aquarium.
Currently I have 35 lbs of medium-sized polished pebbles (this is the closest I can find to what I have). I took a little too much advice from a somewhat-knowledgeable but clearly not stellar aquarium person at a local aquarium shop here (don't get the small, it sucks up into the syphon, and don't get the large, it clogs the syphon...). I would like to plant extensively, and would like to have a variety of plants. I understand this might be slightly more challenging given the aquarium dimensions, however I want to do it nonetheless. My concern is finding the appropriate substrate. I want to avoid sand, but will use it if necessary. I am thinking now that the medium-sized pebbles I have currently are not conducive to planting (I have read that pebbles allow too much "cooling" of the roots and other problems). I am prepared to take a hit on the cost of ditching all this gravel, if necessary, but if there is some way to utilize at least some of this instead of replacing it all flat-out, I would prefer to do that.
I'm looking for any input on:
1. Whether this gravel is worth keeping at all, and if it can be planted in?
2. Can I keep some of the gravel and mix in a second substrate, or, use this as a top layer over a different substrate?
3. What is the best "all purpose" substrate to use to allow for a variety of plants?
4. Is my choice of substrate affected by my aquarium dimensions?
I was reading about quartz substrate (crushed quartz?) last night, and heard a lot of good reviews. In spite of living in the middle of Baltimore and being close by to a lot of rich suburbs and 40 minutes from DC, I have not found much in the way of aquarium supply aside from Petsmart and Petco. There is one apparently spectacular shop, Exotic Aquatics, but everything I have read is that they are none-too-welcoming to people with "n00b" questions, so I am trying to avoid that place (though I may be making some actual plant purchases there). I am still looking around for other stores, but it seems that maybe this quartz-based substrate is not easily attainable, even at specialty mom-and-pop places? Or maybe it is and I have just gotten the wrong impression.
Anyway, any and all info/feedback/suggestions are welcome.
