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Please forgive me for asking so many questions....

I decided to use laterite in my Eclipse 3G tank that I am attempting to plant. One reason is because I couldn't find the darker flourite locally that I was looking for and wanted to start ASAP! Secondly, I got discouraged from using the flourite with all the posts about cloudiness and dust. I couldn't see myself trying to rid a tiny 3g tank of dust....

I used First layer Pure Laterite. I started according to directions even though I was concened about using only 3 ounces of laterite (but I rationalized that some laterite was better than none at all). I placed about an inch of gravel over it and mixed it. Here is the "problem":

You're supposed to add the "remaining gravel" to the aquarium. I didn't really have that much gravel left. I used more gravel (in trying to top the laterite an inch) than I had remaining. It is really only a very thin layer on top of the mixture. Is this a problem? Approximately, how many inches of pure gravel should I have on top of the mixed gravel? Can I proceed? Or will I need more gravel?

Thanks in advance. I'm trying to be as independent as possible..... but its hard because I just wanna be successful!

[span class="edited"][Edited by daviine 2004-08-09 17:21][/span]

Hi,
Here's the way it's "supposed" to go - then let's see
what to do.

When using pure laterite, place an inch to an inch
and a half thickness of the clay directly on the
bottom of the tank, then cover (cap) that layer with
an inch to an inch and a half of straight gravel or
sand or whatever. Put some water in the tank till
its about 2 -3 inches above the gravel, and then
plant the plants (Carefully) in the cap layer only.
That allows the plants to "grow" into the laterite.

For folks who are financially constrained, you mix
the gravel and laterite in a 50/50 mix and pour that
to a depth of an inch to an inch and a half, smooth
it out, and then pour a cap layer of an inch to an
inch and a half over the mixture. Add water to the
same depth and plant as above.

Substrate in a planted tank should be about 3 inches
thick, that is where the two inch and a halfs come
from.

In your circumstance, I'd smooth the mixture over
and add straight aquarium gravel to the desired
thickness and then plant the plants..

Remember, with laterite, if you uproot established
plants, or vacuum too aggressively then you will
pull the clay (laterite) into the water and cloud
it just as bad as if you were stirring flourite.

Frank


[span class="edited"][Edited by FRANK 2004-08-09 17:30][/span]

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

Frank.....

I would have loved to do it your way (that's how I thought it was supposed to be done), but I just followed the direction on the box as well as what the LFS guy told me. I was also scared to overdose on the laterite.

I wanted to ask your advice on the laterite but you had already recommended the fluorite to me, so....I was a bit apprehensive to ask.....

This is the silliest part....I don't really have any plants to plant yet! I'm still doing research! I am looking for plants that are fairly easy to maintain with low light conditions and that won't outgrow my itty bitty tank!

So basically, I am going to end up kicking up dust clouds anyways when I finally decide on my plants since they're not here yet. Hmmmmm....

I stayed up til 3:30 a.m. trying to research and wanted to start right away.....Well, again thanks for your advice and I'm going back to my research....

Instead of buying more gravel, I may just do it your way....

Small tanks can be very tough. Changes in water chemistry can occur quickly and affect the occupants of it more dramatically than if they were in a larger tank. In the short term, you could plant the roots (not the stem) of Anubias petite nana in the gravel (do a search online to find it), have an algae ball sitting on top of the gravel, and float some java moss, water sprite, or hornwort. Those last three will have to be trimmed regularly. Others have grown plants in a small tank (I believe Little Mousling has a couple of very nice ones - you might want to check with her). Eventually, look to try this on a larger tank when you have the space and money to afford it. Good growing to you!

[span class="edited"][Edited by joe fishy 2004-08-10 15:05][/span]