Flourite substrate with black diamond sand topping???

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
R

RoyalPiranha

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 18, 2011
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USA
Hello, can I use regular seachem black flourite bottom with the black diamond sand from tractor supply company as the topping for a low tech tank? Is this a good combo?

1.5 of fluorite at the bottom and 1.5 of the black diamond sand at the top. Or just get flourite sand mix with the black diamond sand.

If this isnt good, what's a good alternative?
 
i use about an 2" of topsoil as a base and top off with sand. With this setup you can grow just about anything. I have an amazon sword that has sent off 5 offshoots . Just remember you have to plant heavily at the onset and monitor the water, i.e. water change, for the first couple of weeks.
 
Traditionally you would want the finer substrate on the bottom with the more coarse substrate on top to allow methane gas to escape. Alternately you can periodically "rake" the substrate to "vent" these gases out. Aquatic plants can get stunted if these gases build up around their roots.
 
That would work. The layers usually get mixed over time anyway. Especially me since I'm
Constantly messing with the arrangement of my plants.
 
yeah, well I was doing some more research and seen that some people use miracle grow for the bottom and top off with gravel. But I was wondering if I could top the dirt with flourite sand. Possibly flourite....thoughts?
 
RoyalPiranha said:
some people use miracle grow for the bottom and top off with gravel. But I was wondering if I could top the dirt with flourite sand. Possibly flourite....thoughts?
Click to expand...

YEAP...a lot of people do this as well the flourite sand is fine enough, but honestly though WHY? You already have a fertile substrate with the MG, why add ANOTHER planted substrate on top of it? JUST Because you can? Those flourite sand bags run about 20$, now if this is a small tank no problem but you wouldnt want to have to do this to a large tank. The sand cap needs to be 1 1/2 to 2 in in order to keep the MG down. AND YOU WILL NEED SNAILS.
 
Jasssson! The man of the hour, thanks for your input. How many snails? Do I have to keep getting snails? I dont want to them to start breeding and overtake the tank. Is there another option without snails? Ill go with the Miracle Grow with Black Diamond sand from TC Supply. But now the snails an issue.
 
I sell Trumpet snails (RAOK actually) 10-20 is a good start and TRUST ME they will multiply QUITE quickly.

I would also get several Nerite snails (screw mystery or apple snails) Nerites keeps the glass clean (GSA)

I can mail the MTS when you're ready for them, but the tank needs to setup atleast 2 weeks. Snails IMO are after plants, scaping, and Fish.

Here are some of my favorite Nerites (what size is the tank again?)
Black Horned Nerite
Corona Nerite
Zebra Nerite
and Batiki Nerite

Check out http://www.bobstropicalplants.com/shop/en/?cPath=41 Bobs Tropical. He sells the Nerites you need and the PMDD ferts you will need eventually.
Good seller and post here and on AC and TPT.
 
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