Which Substrate?

[stella!]

Hey Every 1!
Just a lil question on substrate for you ,At the minute i have quite a fine gravel at about 2-3mm... however i dont have any base ferts like laterite i was just wondering if you think its worth my removing the gravel i have now and add the ferts and then add some different gravel, mainly because i think the gravel i have now looks abit out of place. I am looking for the same king of stuff sam used just because it looks so nice http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=131380. Does any one know where i can buy this from?

Thanks Stella

 

[Themuleous]

Hey Stella

That substrate I used is eco-complete, and it replaces the gravel you have, i.e. you dont put gravel over the top. Its also relatively expensive so unless you're doing an all signing and dancing planted tank its probably not for you. It sounds like you're after a base layer with black grovel of the top? If so I would get the tropica base layer, then put your choice of 2/3mm black gravel over the

Simple

Sam

 

[stella!]

Thanks very much

 

[vinylman]

Hi Stella,
A couple of months ago, I had laterite mixed in with gravel. I took the plunge and emptied the tank and put a layer of Tetra Substrat on the bottom, then put the gravel back on top. It was a pain in the a*** to do, but it was worth every minute and every penny. I don't have any particularly exotic plants ( but I do always buy Tropica specimens) but you wouldn't believe the root growth I have now. I removed some Amazon Swords and the roots (trimmed when I put in the substrat) were nearly four inches long. I have never noticed the different shades of green in my plants before. Do put in a good undergravel fertiliser, it makes such a difference.

 

[stella!]

Thanks
What size tank have you got and where did you get ur tetra substrate from?

Tnx stella

 

[Themuleous]

Fortunately tetracomplete plant base is one product most shops sell, or aquaessentials do it. But I would still get the tropica one over the tetra one.

Sam

 

[vinylman]

Thanks
What size tank have you got and where did you get ur tetra substrate from?

Tnx stella

Hi Stella,
My tank's a 4ft and I got the Tetra Substrat from the local pet shop where I buy all my fishy things. It's called 'Pet City', but I don't know if it's a chain. I know you can buy it from various online retailers, it's just a matter of the cheapest p&p I suppose. I bought one large tub and one small and used it to 'frame' around the edges of the tank (no point putting any in the middle where I have three large pieces of bogwood). Whether you use Tetra Substrat or not, please do get some kind of undergravel fertiliser, it makes SO much difference.

 

[Fillet 'O' Fish]

Hi Stella
If it helps I did a journal with step by step guide to add Tropica substrate to my mature gravel tank:
Adding Tropica substrate to my mature planted gravel bed tank
Hope its of some use to you
By the way got my substrate from Aqua essentials.

regards
Brian

 

[stella!]

wow thanks every 1!