Cheap, black, inert substrate (or nutrient substrate)

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DwarfCichlidLvr

DwarfCichlidLvr

Dovii
MFK Member
Feb 26, 2020
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Does such thing exist? I have a 36 bowfront and sorta regret buying topfin sand. It's cheap (kinda) and it isn't light so I can gravel vac well. But I'll be setting us some fry grow outs (one 10 and one 20) and I thought that I'd use the substrate in this tank in those tanks nd replace this substrate with nutrient substrate. I am a number cruncher so I got down to 1.77 dollars per pound by mixing fluval startum (17.6 lb for 35.45) and seachem fluorite (15.4 for 23). I was thinking to but down the flourite and then put down the startum.

What do you all think?
thanks in advance. :)

Edit: I have read that fluorite raises ph and I don't want that. I like stratum because it LOWERS ph.
 
Safe t sorb

It's like a clay substrate. Usually comes in like a reddish color mixed. Lots of planted tank people use it cuz it's cheap. Like 8 bucks for 40lbs. Used it once, it works with my plants just never liked that color it comes with.
 
HHm. I'll have to look that up. Does it effect the ph? I could just cap it. Thanks
 
Think it lowers the ph if anything. It's been awhile since I used it.
 
OK, great! Thanks
 
beau1990 said:
Black diamond blasting sand 50lb for like 6-8$ at tractor supply DwarfCichlidLvr DwarfCichlidLvr its inert and it looks good IMO View attachment 1413881
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Hhm. It does looks good but I know of and know people who had HUGE problems with it. Most say it's too light so I'll have to think about that.

Thanks
 
CEMEX has some good options. Especially the Lapis Lustre. Not sure they do a black. My 30g bowfront has black Estes aquarium gravel but that is what came with it. I think the Estes is epoxy coated so it is not the best for planting in.
 
fishguy1978 said:
CEMEX has some good options. Especially the Lapis Lustre. Not sure they do a black. My 30g bowfront has black Estes aquarium gravel but that is what came with it. I think the Estes is epoxy coated so it is not the best for planting in.
Click to expand...
Ok, thanks. I can always cap it. I'll check it out later.
 
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