FishProfiles.com Message Forums

	live plant substarte
fisherking1979 Hobbyist Posts: 63 Kudos: 46 Votes: 0 Registered: 30-Jan-2004	i was wondering if anyone had some ideas on fresh water substrate for a tanks containing amazon type fish like angels? websites or store names would help. and i found black but im looking for tan or earth tone colors. thanks.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:42
Hooktor Fish Addict Posts: 646 Kudos: 651 Votes: 67 Registered: 22-Mar-2004	I used a box of this: http://thatpetplace.com/Products/KW/plant%2csubstrate/Class//T1/F42+1044+0235/Itemdy00.aspx Which is just enough for a twenty gallon and mixed it with a fine gravel, but not sand since it is harder to clean. My plants have been growing wonderfully in this mix.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:42
debbiemc Fish Addict Posts: 520 Kudos: 80 Registered: 06-Aug-2001	Hi fisherking The CaribSea's Eco-complete substrate for freshwater plants is a dark brownish colour & supplies all the nutrients required. I wish I could get it here in Australia, but as yet haven't been able to source it. I use ordinary dirt (topsoil) with 2" of pea-sized gravel over it and my plants are doing superb. No C02 and no fertilisers at all. If you cant find something you like, my set up works really well and is very easy to establish. Good luck with your plants. Deb In wildness, nature is not human-hearted!
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:42
fisherking1979 Hobbyist Posts: 63 Kudos: 46 Votes: 0 Registered: 30-Jan-2004	the carbi freshwater substarte looks black in the picture thats why i didnt buy it yet but if you say its brown under water then ill pic it up. please put up a link for the brown one if there is i saw it black here: http://www.customaquatic.com/customaquatic/itemdetail.asp?itemid=SS-CS00770
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:42
littlemousling Conchiform Posts: 5230 Registered: 23-Aug-2003	I'd say for Angels, a layer of peat covered by two to three inches of Fluorite would be a good way to go - the peat'll be good for the plants as well as lowering the pH for the Angels and making the whole tank more of a natural, Amazon backwater color, and of course the Fluorite is not only a lovely plant substrate but a gorgeous mix of coffee hues. -Molly Visit shelldwellers.com!
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:42
everweird Fingerling Posts: 43 Kudos: 75 Votes: 0 Registered: 12-Jul-2004	flourite is good stuff. it can be a bit expensive and it's somewhat red in appearance, but it's one of the best things you can use for plant substrate.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:42
plantbrain Big Fish Posts: 329 Kudos: 226 Votes: 0 Registered: 23-Aug-2003	Flourite red also is nice if you want a single color. Eco complete is jet black. Flora base is also red. About 1 handful of ground peat wetted per sq ft of tank bottom will be good. Also, some mulm from an established tank(the dirt that is vacuumed out of a substrate or comes off a filter sponge etc)will add everything you will need for plants/fish and will act like an established tank from day one. If you plan on CO2 later./have it now, go with thiose substrates, if non CO2 is the main method, I would also suggest the flourite etc, but you can add either peat or soil at about 1" deep and then cap with 3-4" of 2-3mm sand or the flourite. Add the mulm no matter what. If you use soil, soak the soil 2 week in a shallow tray prior to adding, this will leech out the NH4 and help the start up phase of the tank. Plant very heavy also no matter what method you chose. Regards, Tom Barr
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:42
fisherking1979 Hobbyist Posts: 63 Kudos: 46 Votes: 0 Registered: 30-Jan-2004	wont the peat or soil create a tint to the water? also it will be a nightmare for my tank clarity if a fish roughs up the buttom right? im new at this stuff i used gravel for 20 years and unfortunately i lost half my tankincluding my koi angel i had since it was dime size and was now about adult due to a flood over the tank that leaked chemicals into my water. i was heart broken when i got home friday night.]
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:42


	Jump to:

The views expressed on this page are the implied opinions of their respective authors.
Under no circumstances do the comments on this page represent the opinions of the staff of FishProfiles.com.

FishProfiles.com Forums, version 11.0
Mazeguy Smilies