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Hi all just making sure b4 I spend.
The tank arrived today yeah!

im going with 4 inches of 1-3mm gravel(and some odd size tossed in for looks)
A UGF only 4ft. im a little concerned there will be some dead spots(6" on the end of the tank. do i try and get another piece to make it to 5ft?

I have read about clay, dont want to go there.

Will be running 1w/gal. basic easy plants.

Do I need this Flourite stuff, or can i simply add my gravel(after copious washing and add iron and what have you in liquid later?

Im off to buy the gravel 2morrow and will ask LFS for advice but its nice to have your comments up my sleeve adn not end up buying all sorts of things they recomend I must have

My 5footer
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2379/2242540621_1a81dcb3c8.jpg

Holy cow, 4" is a ton of gravel! I've had gravel about 2" for years, and since I've been rescaping my tank I've been taking a ton out to try to cut it down to maybe half an inch in depth. It'll be much easier to maintain with less gravel. If you don't oxygenate your gravel for long enough it doesn't even take 4" of gravel for anaerobic pockets to form.

Then again, I don't have a planted tank. Likely most plants probably will need more than half an inch, of course. I can't comment on flourite either...

OOC what plants are you going with, since I've been thinking about adding plants to my tank too and I have about the same wpg.

--------------------------------------------
The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

Hi,
You will probably need to purchase a new UGF specifically
for that tank rather than improvise with the existing one.
The chances of the LFS having a "spare plate" is remote
to say the least.

I don't know where you are getting the 4 inch figure from.
Most planted tanks are around 3 inches deep with 4 as the
max. Even then, as Shinigami states you can do with less.
The depth of 3 inches will allow you to keep any plant.
The more shallow depths would restrict your purchases to
plants that don't have that elaborate a root base.
For instance, Amazon Swords develop huge root systems
and spread out all over a tank. The smaller mid-ground,
and for-ground (carpet plants) would only need an inch to
an inch and a half in substrate depth.

No, you don't "need" Flourite. You can use regular
aquarium gravel and through the use of fertilizers, keep
up with the needs of the plants.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

ok I read too much and too fast and have confused myself over the depth. thats good news you say, I dont need that depth I was thinking it was crazy to have to have that much. 1.5 inch it is. ta

My 5footer
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2379/2242540621_1a81dcb3c8.jpg

Flourite will provide all the minerals for the plant to grow, all in the substrate. This makes sure that the stem and roots are in top condition. I would at least get 1 bag, and mix it, but you dont have to.....

EDIT: I would actually reccomend at least 2 inches, because most plants that do have somwhat of a elaborate root system, ie cryptocornes and other medium sized plants, will need some room to grow roots. You wouldnt be able to grow too many carpet plants, if any, in 1wpg light. I would actually reccomend the swordplants, as they are nice growers, and are great for the focal point of a tank. A few (2-3) bags of flourite at the bottom, and 2 more inches on the top will be more than sufficent for a nice swordplanted tank, with any type of plant except for high light, to go in there.

Good Luck!

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