Thoughts on AquariumPlants.com's own Substrate?

tsweers89

Well im getting to the point of putting everything and finally getting my 72g bow up and running. Im at the last thing to get, which from the title you can see is substrate. I have been investigating all the diffrent types of substrate. From Flourite to ADA's aqua soil. I came down to this being what i am considering and the price isnt to outrageous compared to the others i have looked into. Anyonr have experience with it or thoughts on it? Any input would be appreciated. Heres a link to it, it shows whats all in it and such: http://www.aquariumplants.com/Freshwater_Aquarium_Plant_Substrate_p/ss.htm

Thanks

Angel079

Sounds good. The only suggestion I'd have is to not get too much, eg free area's in the tank that you don't want to plant, like the very front or such, I'd not go through the added expense to add special substrate in these area's not being planted anyway.

tsweers89

Only problem with that is i want the whole bottom/gravel to all look the same. if i were to just get enough to get in the planted areas and then get something else for the rest you might be able to see a divider and such were i put the other kind of gravel in.

I was thinking of getting either the 5g or 6g bucket. Think 5g would be enough for a 72g?

Byron

You need sufficient to allow the plant roots to anchor and feed the plant, depending upon the type of plants you intend having; a good guide is to have 2 inches minimum at the front where you will either have no plants or have small-rooted plants, and about 4 inches (or more) at the back where the larger-rooted plants would be. The substrate can be sloped from front to back, or terraced with rock/wood depending uopon your preference. It can add visual depth to an aquarium if there are one or more "views" to the back along the substrate, perhaps with an object at the back (piece of wood, rock) to act as a focal point; just make sure it is not centre in the tank which looks very artifical. And I agree, a uniform substrate also helps in this.

When using gravel it used to be 2 pounds per gallon tank volume; lighter substrate materials would be different, and I've no experience with these.

Byron.

Angel079

Got ya, you don't just wanna add it for fert, but use it as soul substrate throughout the tank then? Sorry misunderstood that at first, then my idea obviously makes no sense, sorry.

Honestly I don't think the 5g for 75g would be enough. I think you may need more around the house number of 7g, or cross check what their recommendation is for a 75g.

tsweers89

I think im going to go with Turface as a bottom soil. So i buy Turface and then add a 1" layer of whatever gravel i want over the Turface? What i want to see on the top is something that is as small as Turface pro league but in black.