I'm setting up my 55 gallon again and I'm wanting the bottom of the tank to be closer to the lights. How deep could I make my substrate? I intend to use oil dri as the substrate, the light is a 4 bulb odyssea t5 ho fixture using two separate ballasts. I want to plant glosso, swords, and various stem plants that I already in other tanks. I want the substrate deep enough for the swords to thrive and the substrate close enough to allow the glosso to thrive. How deep is too deep, and would there be any problems in the long run from having a substrate five to seven inches deep? Thanks for any advice.
Deep substrate in new setup.
- Thread starter Atxpunx
- Start date
The friendliest place on the web for anyone with an interest in aquariums or fish keeping!
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
7 inches is pretty deep... you could end up with pockets of anaerobic bacteria growth if you go that deep. If you are dilligent about stirring the substrate up during water changes it would probably be ok though. The deepest I have ever gone is around 4", and I had no adverse affects from that.
heyheyitsrae
Aquarium Advice Activist
In regards to the anaerobic bacteria air pockets, what if you put in tons of MTSs?
hcourts
Aquarium Advice FINatic
How deep do they burrow though(mts). Seems mine don't dig that deep. I still usually see their shells...
jetajockey
come get me tang police!
Look up freshwater deep sand beds. I've not tried one personally, but it does look plausible. Another option would be to stack something like slate tiles before adding substrate. I've not tried that either but I bet 12 " tiles would be a tight fit in a 55.
Super_Blueberry
Aquarium Advice FINatic
jetajockey said:
they don't fit in my tank. I had to take a half inch off. Luckily my slate tiles broke fairly clean with a flat head screwdriver and a hammer.
jetajockey said:
Very interesting read jeta. I'll be looking deeper into the subject of deep sand beds(no pun intended I swear). Using oildri I wonder if the surface area is enough to keep everything cozy and undisturbed under the surface of the substrate. Slates could help with a couple of inches of the intended height. Thanks for the tip blueberry.
Similar threads
