New 75gallon, need substrait suggestions

[gt3guru]

Re: New 75gallon, need substrait suggestions

it depends on the type of sand, some bottom feeders can hurt themselves in sand that is too course. I googled sand substrate today and found some stuff at thekrib.com

[gt3guru]

Re: New 75gallon, need substrait suggestions

http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Fertilizer/gravel.html

> From: Eric Schoville <schovill-at-expert.cc.purdue.edu>
>
> Which type of sand should I use for my aquarium.  There are three
> types that I know of, Silica sand, Crushed coral or beach sand, and
> the Play sand that they sell at hardware stores.  Alternatively I could
> collect some form a local creek.  

Silica sand: cheap, available, works.  Don't use if you want to keep
corys or other bottom-feeders because the sand (essentially tiny glass
shards!) will shear off their barbels.

Crushed coral: Don't use unless you want high hardness and pH.  coral
contains Calcium Carbonate, which leaches into the water.

Play sand: probably too small to be practical.  But cheap.

River sand/gravel: Always a good option.  Make sure to
wash/boil/sanitize/whatever before using with your prize fish!

[Fatcat]

Re: New 75gallon, need substrait suggestions

I have seen play sand used with great results for planted tanks. I'm not sure about it being bad for corys and other bottom feeders, most of the information I've read says sand is better for them than gravel. *shrug*

As far as keeping a sand substrate from going sour.....MTS (malasian trumpet snails) are you best freind. :) They burrow through the substrate an keep pockets of bad gases from building up. They also eat excess food, and decaying plant matter but do not eat live plants.  You will occasionaly have to thin them out but the benefits far out way that small inconveince in my opinion.

alanb - You are going to need a stronger bulb than the one you have for your tank. You want at least 2watts per gallon (if not 3w/pg) to be able to grow a good variety of plants without trouble. You will have a hard time finding a truely decent plant bulb in any store, I finally ordered mine through Doctor Foster's and Smith's.

[PhishPhreek]

Re: New 75gallon, need substrait suggestions

About 10 years ago I built a 75gal  plant with a layered substrait.

Bottom layer was peatmoss covered with newspaper
middle layer was fine sandblasting sand
top layer was corse sandblasting sand
and here and there some plate sized rocks and driftwood.

It held up fine for about a year and then when I tried to clean it and rearrange a few things it became a mess and I had to tear it down and start over.

[Bill]

Re: New 75gallon, need substrait suggestions

You can use soilmater select it's similar to ec and it cost around $16 for a 50# bag. I think they have a distributor in Webster.

GO to LESCO.COM and give your zipcode,it will automatically give dealer in your area, no shipping costs that way.
Here is the link for the charcol substrate  http://www.lesco.com/?PageID=27&ItemNumber=083365

Or you can take a look at this web site   http://www.adgshop.com/Substrate_System_s/1.htm   this ADG's site in Houston and their substrate is very good plus it is a little cheaper than ec.

Bill

[gt3guru]

Re: New 75gallon, need substrait suggestions

awsome, i have a neighbor that works at lesco. maybe i'll softmod his xbox for trade on 2 bags!

[gt3guru]

Re: New 75gallon, need substrait suggestions

AWSOME, there is a LESCO around the corner from work! I'll just go pick up a bag or 2

[HFBfounder]

Re: New 75gallon, need substrait suggestions

I moved tinman's tank to the fishmarket. fyi, ken

[Smokemeakipper]

Re: New 75gallon, need substrait suggestions

Two questions:

What is this "black hair algea" you speak of.  It sounds horrible.  How do you avoid it?

And what is the importance of using play sand vs. just beach sand, say from Galveston.....oh wait, severe pollution, never mind.

[szidlon]

Re: New 75gallon, need substrait suggestions

In addition to the pollution, I believe it's illegal to remove sand from the beach.  Depending on where you live, Home Depot is probably closer anyway.

I've never had black hair algae, but I hear it's really a bugger to get rid of.

[wvgdiscus]

Re: New 75gallon, need substrait suggestions

I have had the black hair algea before. It is a nightmare.
I am still not sure what caused it or how I got rid of it.
I did raised my lighting up a few inches, turned to CO2 back on & scrubed everything that I could fid that had it on it & cleaned all the filterss best as I could.
The best thing I can say is pray you never get it.

Walter

[gt3guru]

Re: New 75gallon, need substrait suggestions

its really nasty, looks like pubes., pretty much have to kill the tank to get rid of it, hydrogen peroxide will do it. but u have to move the fish

http://www.malawicichlidhomepage.com/aquainfo/algae_peroxide.html

[Tiapan]

Re: New 75gallon, need substrait suggestions

im seriously considering sand with flourite now for a planted, i have heard a lot about layering but a lot of layering not working very well, beside peat moss on the bottom( i believe more for acidity then for nutrients) anyway i looked at a lot of show tanks for plants and quess what a whole bunch were made wth sand so i guess its ok even for planted tanks

[Bill]

Re: New 75gallon, need substrait suggestions

You might want to give ADA Aqua Soil a try.
I have used most all of the top substrates and this is by far the best.
I have only had it in my tank 3 weeks and I can already see a big difference in plant growth.
Plus it looks better and planting in it is great.

http://www.adgshop.com/Aqua_Soil_Amazonia_p/104-021.htm

Bill

[5thwardboy]

Re: New 75gallon, need substrait suggestions

I have 120gal planted tank with discus. for substrate I cheated, to save money, by mixed playing sand,2 bags of ec, 1bag of flora subs, and 1bx of larite. I lay the mixture between playing sand to keep dust from clouding the tank. The advantage for this set up allow you to lightly vacuum the top subs. without disturb the mixture. The purpose of this mixture is to allow rooted plants to establish themselves in the beginning. You can always add fert. sticks and liquid fert. when needed further down the road. My tank has been set up for six months w/o set back. I hope this help.