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Ahh the choices.

I had originally planned to have the 4' with a substrate of coarse riversand, but I have been told I can get the clay-based Aquaone substrate at cost price (still scarily $$!) and I am wondering if there is any great benefit to it.

The tank is 48x14x20" and has 2x40w tubes (stock standard)
Plants are likely to be java fern. (would also like suggestions for low light plants to go with an Indonesian feel )

Any point going for clay?

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

My only concern with a clay base is as it starts to break down the water "could" become cloudy. I certainly would do a lot more research before I use it.

Have a look in [link=My Profile]http://
www.fishprofiles.com/interactive/forums/profile.asp?userid=6741" style="COLOR: #00FF00[/link] for my tank info

[link=Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tanks]http://photobucket.com/albums/b209/keithgh/Betta%20desktop%20tank/" style="COLOR: #00FF00[/link]

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
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Many conventional and well recieved substrates used by planting professionals are made up of clay. However, in your case, I completely agree with Keith in that you're asking for more trouble than the clay substrate is worth. The dust, as anyone who's ever worked with flourite knows, takes a while to clear up and will settle on leaf surfaces, begging for algae. If you're planning on only keeping microsorum, then I wouldn't worry about it.

I'd also vote for the river sand if you're only going to keep low light plants. I use a layer of laterite underneath my river sand give it additional nutrient, and it works well even for heavy rooters like crypts and swords. Laterite is cheap to boot.

As for low-light plants with Indonesian feel (given it's my country of origin ), I would say crypts, java moss and Blue Stricta (Hygrophila Corymbosa/Siamensis). Just out of curiosity, what else are you planning to have in the tank to give it an Indonesian feel?

-P

well, I have a list of fish-to-be and some pre-existing fish.

Inhabitants are going to be 3 x Betta fusca, 6 x B. falx, 2 x CL (endemic, but they are rescues so they stay), 4 x kuhli loaches and possibly adding blue panchax, rasboras, sparkling gouramies and a few other colourful zippies

OK, so its a bit more like a loosely indonesian tank but its at least a good goal We'll see how it turns out

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

I just bought two 10LT buckets of River sand. It is sold as propergation sand at garden suppliers $1 per bucket.
I was not for any aquarium use at all it was for a sand tray in a BBQ
It is full of very fine pieces as well it is also very dirty. I dont think it would be suitable for a substrate.

Have a look in [link=My Profile]http://
www.fishprofiles.com/interactive/forums/profile.asp?userid=6741" style="COLOR: #00FF00[/link] for my tank info

[link=Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tanks]http://photobucket.com/albums/b209/keithgh/Betta%20desktop%20tank/" style="COLOR: #00FF00[/link]

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW