Substrate Problems

[Elly]

Today I took everything out of my tank and put JBL Florapol substrate in the tank. However, I did this with the water in and just mixed it in with the gravel. It's clay-based, so the entire tank went murky and brown and I couldn't see a thing. Three hours later it's starting to clear with the help of my Fluval 305 and Juwel internal with white pad. However, this seems to be a problem - how on earth am I going to gravel vac in the future? I'll end up stirring up all the substrate. Also, the fish are starting to pick at it - is it harmful?

 

[Underwurlde]

I think vac'ing such substates will depend on how heavily planted your tank is....

 

[JamieH]

Today I took everything out of my tank and put JBL Florapol substrate in the tank. However, I did this with the water in and just mixed it in with the gravel. It's clay-based, so the entire tank went murky and brown and I couldn't see a thing. Three hours later it's starting to clear with the help of my Fluval 305 and Juwel internal with white pad. However, this seems to be a problem - how on earth am I going to gravel vac in the future? I'll end up stirring up all the substrate. Also, the fish are starting to pick at it - is it harmful?

you are only meant to mix floropol with the bottom 1/3 of the gravel... if you are careful you can then hoover the top without mixing it in.

if you mixed floropol with the top layer... then hoovering will remove it

 

[AndyTaylor]

You need a layer of gravel on top.... half an inch or so should do.....