Weird material in new, cycling tank

[metropolis93fan]

White substrate is stressful on most fish we keep because it is not natural (in their habitats) and the fish will react by attempting to lighten, which means they are not going to be colourful as they normally would be. Since there is a problem with this gravel, I would get rid of it. You can use sand which will be beneficial for the sort of fish you can have in this size of tank. I use Quikrete Play Sand (available through Lowe's and Home Depot in NA) because it is without question the best sand for substrate fish. You could have the pygmy cories in this tank, with upper small fish like some of the tetras and rasboras. As for cycling, if you get some plants that are relatively fast growing, you do not need to artificially cycle the aquarium. And floating plants work best for this, plus they shade the fish which is again natural.

I just got floating plants in today... red root. And have crypto I just got yesterday. I don't want any other live plants.
I have no clue how to clean sand during water changes. Won't it all get sucked up with the waste? My one betta has white gravel and seems okay... I like being able to see waste and suction it out with a turkey baster.
I plan on a betta actually and trying with dwarf African frogs. If not I have a spare 5 gallon to separate them.

 

[Byron]

I just got floating plants in today... red root. And have crypto I just got yesterday. I don't want any other live plants.
I have no clue how to clean sand during water changes. Won't it all get sucked up with the waste? My one betta has white gravel and seems okay... I like being able to see waste and suction it out with a turkey baster.
I plan on a betta actually and trying with dwarf African frogs. If not I have a spare 5 gallon to separate them.

You do not normally need to "clean" sand. The organic matter than settled down into the substrate is broken down by various bacteria and provides nutrients for the plants. This is the primary source of CO2, added to by respiration of fish, plants and some bacteria. You need this, it is natural and beneficial.

Can you give me the GH, KH and pH of the source water on its own? This is important here.

 

[metropolis93fan]

Concerning the GH and pH and using distilled water with shrimp additives, remember that every water change will require the same type of water, with the GH/pH adjustment in another container, not the tank if fish and shrimp are present. It is easier to be able to use the tap water, so what is the issue with it? Do you have the GH, KH and pH of the tap water on its own (not from the aquarium)?

I don't remember the specs exactly but gh was off the roof high. VERY hard water. pH wasn't too bad but both kh and gh were insane. I've got my measurements on the additives down though!

 

[metropolis93fan]

You do not normally need to "clean" sand. The organic matter than settled down into the substrate is broken down by various bacteria and provides nutrients for the plants. This is the primary source of CO2, added to by respiration of fish, plants and some bacteria. You need this, it is natural and beneficial.

Can you give me the GH, KH and pH of the source water on its own? This is important here.

See ABOVE *was written below* I'm not home until tomorrow. Just left this morning. Back tomorrow morning. My one plant is in a pot which is what I want. Sorry but it's not the look I want to have a planted tank.