What To Do :)

[radioman]

I am going to recieve my light tomorrow and have a co2 system. my delema is that I can not get the substrate until Thurseday latest being Saturday. So my question is will it be ok to hook up the co2 now and turn on the light. I only have one plant but could I get more and leave them in the pots until I get the substrate at the end of this week. I know I need plants or I will get alot of algae.

 

[Futralistic]

I dont see why not. Just keep the time the lights are on to a bare minimum, say 6 hours a day. Just until you get your substrate and plants. It will also give you time to get your CO2 lvls correct.

Good luck!!

 

[DevUK]

Might be messy putting your substrate in after you've filled the tank, unless you empty it before hand

 

[chrisdoesntmiss]

What substrate are you using? If it has a lot of fine particles most of it will be caught in suspension and cover everything in your tank with a dusty looking appearance.

Otherwise you could drain the tank into clean containers, fill it with the substrate and then replace the liquid.

 

[nry]

I'd wait and fill the tank when the substrate arrives, you'll have to empty it all out to add it anyway otherwise it will probably make a right mess and cloud the water.

 

[radioman]

I am going to empty alot of it then put the substrate in ADA which does not have alot of fine particles.

 

[nry]

Maybe I'm wrong but I though the ADA stuff was generally very fine particles?

 

[DevUK]

Maybe I'm wrong but I though the ADA stuff was generally very fine particles?

I think thats the power sand? the power soil is quite large

 

[xxBarneyxx]

The power sand is actually denser/bigger particals then the soil (about 5-8mm gravel size). The soil isnt overly dusty but I wouldnt want to put it into a tank that already has water in if you can avoid it.

I would say dont bother filling the tank until you get the substrate in. You wont be able to get the CO2 adjusted correct becuase the plants are in there to use it and as you are going to empty the water anyway you are just putting CO2 in to throw it away again later.

If you do get your plants before your substrate though I cant see any harm in keeping them in the pots in the tank with CO2 and lights running. If you do get an algae bloom the tank will be bare anyway and easy to clean before adding substrate, it will also be easy to rinse/clean the plants as well.

In short: If you have plants before substrate go for it. If you dont then dont bother because you wont gain anything.

 

[reggieschuey]

i agree with barney, i would suggest you wait , get the soil first, then fill water, just make sure you don't disturb the soil too much. ADA stuff goes cloudy. Trust me, i had first hand experience i replaced added ADA soil when the tank was full. IT was cloudy for couple weeks , first week had to change water twice it just very cloudy...