Substrate Advice

[George Farmer]

After a recent problem with cyanobacteria (blue-green slime algae) on my fine gravel substate I've decided to remove all the gravel (and plants) and thoroughly clean by boiling in disinfectant and thouroughly rinsing. (I've also done all the other things to prevent it returning i.e. less feeding, less light, better filtration etc.) I also intend to use a heater cable to improve plant growth and prevent the substrate going anaerobic. My question is what is the best substrate for a well-planted tank? I've heard of Dennerle's Deponit but have been advised against because I do not have CO2 and the substrate would provide too much nutrients and increase chance of algae. Does mixing a bottom layer of gravel with laterite provide the plants with enough nutrients? I also intend to use Waterlife's Tropiflora fertiliser or is there any better one-shot fertilisers?

 

[Rose]

Laterite is good for mixing with the gravel. I have that in all my planted tanks. Put the laterite down first then cover with gravel. Be carefull not to disturb the laterite part, if you do well you could have algae all over again. Not fun as you well know . Second thing I would use Seachems line of plant ferts if you want to use a very good fert for your plants. They even have a liquid CO2 you can add to the tank. Works well. The entire line is very good. I use these in my tanks with much sucess. Lighting will also be a issue so make sure you have enough to make the plants grow but not enough for the algae to come back. It's a very fine line and very easy to cross.

Rose

 

[allnatural]

Even though I have not (as yet) had a problem with cyno, I hear it is nasty. Since you are tearing down your tank, have you read Diana Walsted's Ecology of a Planted Aquarium? There is a lot of science in this book, no pictures, just facts. But, the book is filled with good tips. If a planted tank, where plants rule rather than fish is your goal, please read it. It will give you a low-tech perspective of plants. You can get it at amazon.com. I never thought these techniques would work, but they do.

Also, check out my favorite site: www.naturalaquariums.com

Here is a website of a person who tried the methods. Very interesting. Be prepared to open your mind to low-tech possibities... (and yes, those are goldfish with plants, and no filters!) http/mike-edwardes.members.beeb.net/plan...ant/lotech.html

--You don't want an anaerobic substrate? hmmmm... you may want to research that one a bit. Differring opinions you know.

Cyno is a bacteria not an algae, as you probably already know, so I'm not sure why you are blaming the things that make plants happy. Fine gravel substrate, good lighting, etc. I use the mud method in my tanks. Topsoil with a layer of fine gravel. I don't have CO2, don't fertilize, don't have heater cables, etc. High-tech is not the only answer.

--Tim

 

[stud_man50]

flourite is great and its less messy then laterite. you can use it by itself for best results or add about 1/2 in to 1in other substrate over it. i think it works great for my plants just in the first wk.