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I have an empty ten gallon that I'm going to be setting up shortly, but I'm not quite sure what to do for substrate. I definitely want gray/black, was thinking about ecocomplete, but the cost (and availability in my area) is a bit limiting. I do want to plant the tank (mostly crypts, I think, maybe some dwarf sag and some others), but I don't know what would be best. I've found a nice small black gravel that would work well and I've also found onyx plant sand.

I'm not sure what to go with... The onyx sand is slightly more expensive than the gravel. I've heard both good and bad things about sand. It's specifically plant sand, does that mean it's not going to get packed down around the roots or will I still have to make sure to aerate the sand every so often? Anyone had experience with this substrate?

The bag mentions it might raise the pH slightly (I believe it indicated .1 to .5); my pH is already slightly above neutral (generally 7.2)... is this going to be a bad thing?

Intended occupants are the famous [link=Baby]http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/forums/General%20Freshwater/50006.html" style="COLOR: #202020[/link], my trio of golden zebra danios and some of the guppy girls from an overstocked ten gallon. *shrugs* Just a thought.

~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~

Hi,
Use the onyx. Generally speaking, the ideal depth of
the substrate in a planted tank is about 3 inches.
The "bad" part about sand is that the grain size is so
small that the spaces between grains are easily clogged
with "gunk" from the fish, fish food, and plant material,
that it can become a hazard to the fish and the tank.
If left undisturbed, it will compact (squeeze tigher
from the weight) and get clogged to form areas of black
foul smelling (rotten eggs) hydrogen sulfide - a toxin
to fish.

Vacuuming sand presents a problem because the grains are
so small, and easily sucked into the hose. To lightly
clean the sand, you can stir it with a stick or something
to bring the dirt up into suspension where it can be sucked
up by the hose during water changes, or the filter. Too
much stirring, and again, you suck up the sand too, and it
can ruin your filter pump. To keep the sand from compacting
you need to stir and clean the unplanted areas. Also, the
addition of the MTS snail which burrows in the sand and
only comes out at night, will keep the depths of the sand
loose. Catfish such as the cories, will keep the surface
stirred.

Frank


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