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I am planning to do a 3 foot planted tank & i would like to know which is the best Substrate for it?.

Thanks alot in advance.


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http://www.flickr.com/photos/corydoras/
Member of the Malta Aquarist Society - 1970.
http://www.maltaaquarist.com

A good base would be a ( JBL ) nutrient sand' this stuff is packed full of root loving goodness. JBL also make a clay ball (About 5mm dia )base substraight. Both types are placed in a dry tank then covered with a fairly fine 3-5mm gravel, and then filled with water. I Added the sand to my tank that is running, and man did it make a mess. The cloudyness went away over a week though but in your case it will be perfect. In my tank i chose a black gravel to enhance the plant colour. Another item i use not sure if you could get it where you are though,is dinosaur dung. It is a pellet of mud with a fertilizer through it. The mud acts as a slow release disolving allowing the fert to dissolve. Plants ihave near these are going really well and have very good root growth. I hope this helps a bit. Have you considered the lighting for this setup yet? Have fun

Hi Jason,
Check out this article on Substrates for Aquariums:
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/plant_substrates.php

For decades "we" used regular aquarium gravel which is
essentially a variety of Quartz ground up into 2-3mm
size grains. Because it is inert it does nothing to
support plant growth and serves only as a medium for plants
to anchor themselves in. The nitrifying bacteria that
create the Nitrogen Cycle also break down the fish waste
and foods, and dead/dying plant material and this is what
serves as the fertilizer for plants in aquarium gravel.

Plants can easily outstrip the bacteria and eventually
will yellow and die as they are not getting enough
nutrients. Additionally, some of the nutrients are in
a chemical form that is hard for plants to uitilize.

This led to adding layers of things such as soil or
clay in the bottom of the tank and then capping it with
a layer of gravel. The soil or clay provides the nutrients
that the plants need, in a form that they can easily use.
About this time "we" also developed plant tablets or plant
balls, or plant sticks...all forms of fertilizer for
aquarium plants.
The biggest drawback with the layered substrates is that
once the top layer is disturbed (large fish, vacuuming,
uprooting plants) the clay particles get into the viewing
part of the water (the water column) and remain in
suspension for days, even weeks. It takes a diatom filter
to make the water clear again.

Later on, products such as flourite have come on the market
and have provided a kind growth previously not attained.

Personally, I prefer Flourite. My tank is 100% flourite
and has been up and running for over 13 years. The plants
are thriving and the substrate shows no signs of being
depleted of the nutrients that it contains. Others have
a life span of a year or two and then need to be replaced.
Frank


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

Thanks alot for both reply's & interesting advices.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/corydoras/
Member of the Malta Aquarist Society - 1970.
http://www.maltaaquarist.com

I finished the substrate of my planted tank & this is what i used:- 1 inch of Fondovivo, Humus & Humus+ mixed together, 1 inch of Seachem Flourite & 1 inch of normal Gravel.

What do you think about it?.
Thanks alot.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/corydoras/
Member of the Malta Aquarist Society - 1970.
http://www.maltaaquarist.com

Interesting mix Jason. I didn't know you could use Humus as a substrate.

Frank, what is your take on Eco-Complete. I will be setting up a planted 55g soon and I would like to use Eco as my substrate. I want something dark.

*Kristin*

Hi,
Personally, I have never used that product. I have read
outstanding reports from individuals, in various ads,
and in some articles. I have also caught hints
in comments that it "wears out" over a period of time.
This can be good, or bad, depending upon the person using
it. If you change the thrust of a tank every year or so
then when you tear the tank down you would just replace
the substrate and you would always have a "fresh"
substrate. If you are like me, and keep a tank established
in one format for years, then perhaps this product might
not be what you would want to use.

I prefer 100% fluorite, and I like it's color. Others
prefer a darker substrate to offset the vivid greens of
the plants and enhance the contrast with their fish.

Personally, I'd try it. I'm thinking of it for my next
small tank.

Frank


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

I think I'll try it. I have also heard it is good, but may need to be replaced after a few years. Really though, I want it more for the color and not the nutrients....so I have no problem leaving it in the tank for years.

I will probably be moving out of the parents house in a couple years anyways...when I graduate college, so I could always change things up then.

Thanks Frank!



*Kristin*

I've had eco complete for almost a year now and I I think it's great. It still looks good almost a year later. Almost all plants from small foreground to large stem background grow well in it and get anchored nicely.

Here's a current pic that shows the substrate well.






Attached Image:


My Scapes

I just love how it makes the plants pop. My natural gravel kind of takes away from the plants, IMO...so I want something dark.

*Kristin*

Yes, that is one reason I went with a black background and black substrate it does make the plants pop out.

My Scapes