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I have a 200 gallon rectangular tank, and I am planning to make it into a beautiful planted tank. But still I am confuse of what gravel to use. I wanted to use flourite or some of the "good for plants" subrates but do not want to put out a fortune to buy 200+ pounds of flourite gravel. I saw home depot have a 2 selection of gravel, Pea gravel and Fine gravel, which one should I use?

Hi,
I understand the reluctance to spend that kind of money
on the substrate, especially when it should be 3-4 inches
deep. However, you will truely have a beautiful tank if
decided to not scrimp on that truely important part of the
tank.

Should you opt for the gravel, it should be no smaller than
#3 grain size. It should be marked on the bags. Small
"pea" or rounded gravel is easier on the bottom dwelling
fish.

If you opt for the gravel you will be "doomed" to
using large quantities of fertilizers over the life of
the tank to encourage thriving plants.
Over the life of the tank, I believe you would put as
much $$ into the tank in ferts, as would have if you
simply purchased the good stuff.
This is not to say that you don't eventually have to add
fertilizers, but to say you dont have to use as much, and
can use individual nutrients instead of prebottled
solutions which are more expensive.

Frank


Last edited by FRANK at 31-Mar-2005 09:49

Last edited by FRANK at 31-Mar-2005 09:50

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what about a 50/50 mix to save some money. half eco and half gravel. could also place in large wide rocks in some area to take up some floor area. this will lesson the amount of substrate need for the same amoutn of depth.

i have a 150 planted tank. with a 3 inch substrate.

i used shultz profile soil conditioner. its pretty much the same thing as shultz aquatic soil for ponds but its cheaper and a larger bag. its a very light substrate so you will need to mix it with some heavier gravel. but its a high CEC substrate meaing it can hold and exchange nutrients easily. you need to wash it out alot. and pour water into the tank slowly. over time or with the right aquatic plant tabs it can be just as good as some of the other more expensive substrates.

MPV Turface is the same as SAPS, except it's available in two colors, a dark grey, like onyx sand from SeaChem.
Runs about 10-13$ for 50lb bags.
Far cheaper than SAPS.

It's the stuff they put on baseball diamonds.

The issue: it's very light weight and makes planting, especially in larger deep tanks a real chore and a PITA.

I really do not mind spending a bit extra for a better heavier product like the Onyx sand or Flourite.
Over time it's worth every penny.

Still, you can get around the issue with Turface by adding 50% sand and try to find a similer color! Otherwise two toned gravel is mighty tacky.

Regards,
Tom Barr

www.BarrReport.com

so mpv comes in two colors that you can choose? that great!. right now profile is a mix bag you dont always get the same colors. ive had bags that were all red and one that was grey.

schultz profile 50lb bags cost $10-14 also there pretty much the same price

Good luck finding them though !

All that I've ever been able to find is the aquatic plant soil....you'd think living this close to the nations capital I could find anything I wanted...maybe I'll just go to a few basball games .

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