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Mixed substrate

6K views 57 replies 7 participants last post by  Molinious 
#1 ·
So I've been thinking about changing my substrate for the last week, especially since getting my loaches. Although I have a smooth, fine gravel what suits them would be best.

But I also like my gravel. Which has led me to a new idea.

I'm wondering about creating a kind of beach effect, in that I'd have maybe 1/3 of the tank as sand substrate which would form a shallow incline into my gravel, as this is kind of what the pebble beaches look like in my area.

So I'm wondering how this would be possible, or even if. I know sand typically is around 2 cm deep in most tanks whereas gravel is approx 5 cm. Mine is anyway as per what I read. Would deeper sand make any diff? Shallower gravel?

I know a lot of bacteria etc lives in your gravel, but I honestly have no idea if this works the same with sand, or what the differences here are.

This definitely isn't an idea set in stone but certainly something I've thought about to create a different look.
 
#35 ·
do share.......i was thinking about this too.......if i was to use foam.........i could extend the foam underneath the gravel substrate and form caves out of it......

im so doing this.

i dont care how many tries it takes......this will be amazing......
 
#36 ·
Im UK, so hopefuly will have same name etc....but if anyone can tell me what type of foam id need for this im going to have a look at getting some tomorrow and starting a first attempt at this!
 
#38 ·
The plastic canvas idea was genius. Thanks so much for sharing it SanguineFox. Molinious, thanks for sharing your pics too.

I am looking forward to seeing the progress of it. This entire thread has truly inspired my aquascaping plans and I thank all of you very much for that. Our 45 gallon is 24" high, so if the other half could figure out how to do the foam stuff, I could have numerous levels within the tank. It might be a bit before we can get to this, but ooo I am very excited.
 
#46 ·
HMMMMMMMMMMMMM

seems i MAY have found a solution to my problem. it seems juwel offer a fake aquarium rock made of glass fiber reinforced plastic!

here's a linky.....

JUWEL® Aquarium | Cliff light terrace A Terrace A

now thats not quite the look im going for but the rocks would be a nice addition and i think if i took my scalpel to them (muahaha) i could effectively carve out what i want from them- including a hole in one to add a plec cave into and under my substrate.....

thoughts anyone???
 
#48 · (Edited)
Yes i've looked into this, and the problem as with foam is the buoyancy issue primarily, and then the fact my tank is already established secondarily.
I have thought about doing it on something and then just sliding it in but then again.....still have the buoyancy issue. I think this could be circum-navigated possibly by using a base of river stone in the approximate shape and then building up and around them though.

At the moment im edging towards the already crafted juwel option, they sink, look good and yet still give me the option of literally cutting a hole in one and sliding in a plec cave into it and under the gravel, but i also dont want my tank to look overly generic. Though saying this, i dont see a lot of this knocking about

Theres two main colours to choose between though, unfortunately not all of them come in the blocks, either the dark or chalk, i cant decide whether to go for the dark as more of a stand out against the substrate and sand, or the chalk colour........as i do love the chalk cliffs at dover!
 
#51 ·
So I'm literally about to order one of these cliff walls. Just one for now as its a decent 35 cm length!

However it 15cm tall, and I don't want to have 3/4 of my tank with 15cm of substrate obviously! So I'm looking at cutting it down to around 7cm. It's made of glass fiber reinforced plastic...... so I'm wondering if anyone knows how hard this is to basically saw probably, and then carve out a hollow for a plec cave. I guess it's going to be messy and will then need a lot of sanding down etc to its smooth, and safe, for my fish but wondering if it'll be alright and whether or not it's just going to fall apart doing this!?!
 
#52 ·
Well, naturally the cut side will be on the bottom hidden by substrate. So that shouldn't be a problem. For the cave, you could just use a small clay flower pot, jar, or medicine bottle and hide the opening with plants, decor, etc. As for cutting, I would use a blade with very fine teeth and take it slow.

Have you thought of using natural stones with silicone sealant ?
 
#53 ·
I have indeed FM, that one was my original idea, then foam, then I found this cheat method.
The one thing I love about these chalk ones though FM is then remind me of the chalk cliffs on the south coast somewhat and I remember visiting them when I was iccle and so along with moving the look, it's nice memories. Before life got hard!
 
#54 ·
Oh, as for the cutting I was thinking I'd just drill tiny holes along it and use a serrated knife.....or small saw. Think your right in that small blade would be better and with the drill holes, easy to join up.
And I was going to buy a terracotta one, but I've obviously never had a plec before and don't know what would be best. It'll be 90% a queen arabesque.
 
#57 ·
Ok, so left pic, all the way to my right is the normal level of substrate. i piled it in front, just to see how it would look to NOT cut them down, which i never really considered BTW.

Pic on right shows the back and how they stay in place which kind of ruins my plans to cut the bottom off, but at the same time, if i cut the top, i will lose the little lip to tuck the sub under and the nice ''top of cliff'' effect. I've thought about cutting down the bottom still and using silicone to secure it to the base of my tank...BUT as far as i know you need to let it cure for 3 days in a dry tank. NOT an option as fishies need tank. I dont think 6 polkadot loaches, 6 rosey tetras, and 2 dwarf neon gouramis would appreciate 3 days in a 15 gallon tank which is my only other tank unfortunately!

if i cut down the bottom still- how could i ensure it stays in place if i lose that large ''lip''? is there something else i could attach that would give the same effect?

SO, i was wondering if i might get any suggestion on how i might rectify this as opposed to just returning them.
 
#58 ·
considering on the far right is your normal level of gravel i wouldnt really worry about cutting them, the level of substrate doesnt necessarily have to be at the very top if you put some plents in which would cover the top anyway. If you drilled in some randomly placed holes and pushed plants in them you will get an extremely good look. I like the look of them but me being awkward id use reall rocks, i hate the way that ideas in your head never quite seem to transform into the exact replica!
 
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