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Substrate Question

1K views 4 replies 3 participants last post by  Tyyrlym 
#1 ·
I will be brief and to the point. I currently have a 55g planted tank. i wish to increase the number of plants in it, but wanted to know if i should change my substrate prior to avoid the headache later on.

well, i know i will be adding Fluorite to the tank, but my question is, can i just add it on top on my current gravel?

i have some normal rounded medium sized gravel. I would prefer to carefully place the fluorite in the tank carefully with fish/plants still inside rather then removing everything and starting from scratch. has anybody added the fluorite on top of their gravel? Comments, suggestions?
 
#2 ·
I put some on top of my gravel in one of my tanks. The plants are doing well.
Just a word of caution, that flourite is some dirty stuff. I rinsed and rinsed, gave up rinsing and added it to the tank. It did made the water cloudy for a few days. Other than that, I am pretty happy with it.
I added it during water change day with some of the tank water removed and used a plastic cup to lower the flourite down to the bottom.
 
#3 ·
i can keep the fish in while adding the fluorite, correct? i am worried they may get a particle or two in their gills and cause issues. i am trying to give the fish the least amount of stress possible.

also-did you use the fluorite gravel or sand? did you notice the fluorite making its way under the gravel or did it stay on top?
 
#4 ·
For the most part, the flourite is staying on top. I used the gravel type.
I only added the flourite to 1/2 the tank, my planted side, the other side of the tank is sand.
I did not remove the fish, but I was only adding the flourite to one side, so the fish were able to escape to the other side of the tank.
It is quite messy, so it may be better to remove the fish, but either way, they should be fine.
 
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