Substrate, what kind?
- Thread starter reel1090
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If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
boadams87
Aquarium Advice Addict
I've used all and personally like sand, all the crap stays on the top. Its easy to clean.
jcolon
Aquarium Advice Addict
Pool filter sand!
Cheap, easy to find and coarse enough not to cloud up the water during gravel vacs!
Cheap, easy to find and coarse enough not to cloud up the water during gravel vacs!
butterfly_koi
Aquarium Advice Addict
It can all depend on what your planning on keeping when it comes to sand. Play sand and Pool Filter Sand are a neutral sand that won't mess with the water levels. Black Beauty, Tahitian Moon Sand, and Crushed Coral will raise the Ph.
If you keep Cichlids, sometimes a higher Ph is best but don't use Black Beauty. It contains elements of Iron Slag which can be sharp and not recommended for diggers.
Here is an article that explains a bit more on different types of sand
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/introduction-adding-decor-aquarium/
Hope this gets you started in the right direction, and if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask
If you keep Cichlids, sometimes a higher Ph is best but don't use Black Beauty. It contains elements of Iron Slag which can be sharp and not recommended for diggers.
Here is an article that explains a bit more on different types of sand
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/introduction-adding-decor-aquarium/
Hope this gets you started in the right direction, and if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask
bud29
Aquarium Advice Addict
I love black blasting sand. It looks awesome IMO. Also, play sand is very natural-looking.
tamtam
Aquarium Advice Addict
It's mostly a matter of personal preference. Some fish do prefer/need sand over gravel or certain types of sand/substrate. Some plants needs certain set ups as well so a lot of it comes down to your tank and what you want from it.
Ease of care is more personal and depends on you. Some swear by sand, that is very easy to care for because everything sits nicely on top. While others find it too difficult because they can't get the technique down to vac up debris off the top of the sand without removing sand or stirring it up too much.
Sand can be a major pain to prep for your tank, lots of rinsing and then settling time but most feel it's more than worth it to have that look
Ease of care is more personal and depends on you. Some swear by sand, that is very easy to care for because everything sits nicely on top. While others find it too difficult because they can't get the technique down to vac up debris off the top of the sand without removing sand or stirring it up too much.
Sand can be a major pain to prep for your tank, lots of rinsing and then settling time but most feel it's more than worth it to have that look
tamtam
Aquarium Advice Addict
they do fine. I think, though not 100% that when it comes to sand and plants you want a smaller thickness with your sand. I think when it's too thick it can compact too much and make it hard for plant roots though again, I'm not certain. Hopefully someone with sand in a planted tank can back this up but I believe I've read this while researching planting my tank.
Sand is okay for a planted tank but take into consideration it is an inert substrate. You will need to use root tabs and ferts for the water column (unless your going low light/low tech). If you want a fertile substrate the way I went was organic soil capped with Eco-complete in my case but sand as a cap is just fine. Plants grow very well in an enriched substrate.
Black Diamond blasting sand is inert and won't effect pH. It's also coal slag and magnetic so be careful with your magnetic glass scrubbers. The accusations of it causing issues for diggers and/or barbel damage is a disproven myth, it is perfectly safe. Personally, I love the stuff and so do my fish (which include Cories, BGK, Pleco).
Play sand is very fine and can be messy.
All substrates will require root tabs at some point if you plan on growing root feeders (Swords, Crypts, etc).
If you have the funds EcoComplete is the way to go. No rinsing, easy to work with, mixes nicely with sand so you can bring the cost down a bit but keep the mixture above 50/50 (in favor of EC) to keep the benefits of the high CEC.
Play sand is very fine and can be messy.
All substrates will require root tabs at some point if you plan on growing root feeders (Swords, Crypts, etc).
If you have the funds EcoComplete is the way to go. No rinsing, easy to work with, mixes nicely with sand so you can bring the cost down a bit but keep the mixture above 50/50 (in favor of EC) to keep the benefits of the high CEC.
jetajockey
come get me tang police!
Rivercats said:
I agree. If you don't want to fiddle with dirt at least get a high cec substrate material for the plants, they really benefit from it.
eAts
Aquarium Advice Activist
I choose a white silca sand from Lowes, cost me around 6 dollars for an 80lb bag, and it looks great!
Just like everything else, your stores may carry it, they may may not, you will have to check. If they don't carry it they should be able to order it for you. Ask them, it will save you shipping cost but you might pay a bit more than online but it's not a bad thing to pay slightly more to support your local economy. Don't let them talk you into Fluval Stratum substrate, which they will carry if they sell Fluval products, that stuff is a nightmare.
KaeJS
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2012
- Messages
- 17
blert said:
100% Agreed.
Might as well pay a bit more for the product and save on shipping costs. More than likely, the LFS would get the product sooner than it would be shipped to your house, anyway.
