TCC 36 Bowfront Dutch Build

[TheCommunityCichlid]

So some dirt and then cap it with sand?

 

[bshenanagins]

So some dirt and then cap it with sand?

Yeah organic miracle grow soil (no additives) or some other organic potting soil. You can cap with sand

 

[Rivercats]

If you go with a dirted tank there will be extra work in the beginning. The first few weeks after dirting you will have excess nutrients being leached from the organics breaking down in the soil. You will need to plant immediately after dirting the tank and be sure to have some fast growing stem plants and plants like water sprite which will suck up excess amounts of nutrients in the beginning. I can explain how to dirt if you go that route as I have been dirting tanks for a long time.

I would actually suggest using a commercial plant substrate. I use Eco-complete in all my tanks as either a cap to dirt or as a single substrate. There are many different plant substrates to choose from. Or you can just use sand if you want. The only thing I would stay away from is gravel.

 

[TheCommunityCichlid]

Alright if I don't go with dirt what are my other options?

 

[Rivercats]

Alright if I don't go with dirt what are my other options?

I answered that in the last paragraph of my post.

 

[TheCommunityCichlid]

Oh so Eco complete isn't a dirt. It looked like it was

 

[Rivercats]

No it's a regular substrate and they have regular and fine grade. I have both and fine grade is like a larger grained sand. It also is a use straight from the bag, no rinsing substrate which is nice.

 

[TheCommunityCichlid]

What's the disadvantage to just using my sand?

 

[Rivercats]

The only difference between sand and commercial plant substrate is that sand is inert and commercial substrates and dirt have a high CEC. CEC is cation exchange capacity which means the substrate can absorb nutrients from detris and the water and hold them for use by plants. Sand and gravel cannot do this.

 

[TheCommunityCichlid]

I see, well that makes sense I will look into substrates. Eco complete seems to be the best choice.

 

[bshenanagins]

I see, well that makes sense I will look into substrates. Eco complete seems to be the best choice.

Yeah and you can get good deals on it. I'm going to need your assistance with my dirt in a couple weeks Janis

 

[Rivercats]

Yeah and you can get good deals on it. I'm going to need your assistance with my dirt in a couple weeks Janis

Just PM me and I'll help you with it.

 

[TheCommunityCichlid]

Yeah and you can get good deals on it. I'm going to need your assistance with my dirt in a couple weeks Janis

Where can you get good deals? I only see it for $20 for 20 pounds

 

[bshenanagins]

Where can you get good deals? I only see it for $20 for 20 pounds

Usually Petco, they sell it for like 17 or 18 sometimes

 

[TheCommunityCichlid]

Alright I will have to watch for it one sale. So Eco complete isn't like dirt and I can added it when ever?

 

[Rivercats]

No it's not dirt but not sure what you mean by "can add it anytime".

 

[TheCommunityCichlid]

You said that if I go with dirt I should plant it immediately, do I do the same with the Eco complete

 

[Rivercats]

Yes planting right away is always the best and if the tank is cycling it will help speed the cycle especially if you plant fast growing stem plants and water sprite in over 80% of the substrate. When doing that a tank can actually go through a silent cycle.

 

[TheCommunityCichlid]

Tanks been running for over a year, just a transformation to planted. So substrate should be the last thing I worry about before planting

 

[Rivercats]

Are you planning on changing out the substrate? Or just putting Eco on top of the sand?