Flourite substrate with black diamond sand topping???

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Even fluorite sand mix w black diamond sand? Do i have to do the whole CO2 and dosing for flourite?

what's root tabs?
 
If it is sand (fluorite sand mix w black diamond sand) you need snails to help oxygenate the soil. Sand compacts, where as products like Eco do not. So yes you need something (MTS) in the soil to keep it "stirred up)

Root tabs help when you feel your soil is exaushted. Some of the decaying matter in the tank (plants and poop) get back into the soil but not enough (imo) to keep the soil thriving. Eventually all the ferts in the soil will be used up. This is where root tabs come in. Seachem and API both make them, however also (the link I provided) Bobs sell them at 1/2 the price and for a better product.

Co2
This is based on lighting and the plants you wish to grow. If you want to go lowtech stick with NO (Normal Output) lighting and get plants that require low to med lighting. Plantgeek has a variety of options you can use to build what you wanting to build whether it be by Region, Difficulty, Light requirements.... It will provide pics and a description.
If you go the LowTech option you can use Seachem Excel for your carbon source.

So again What size tank are you going with?
 
i have a 175 gallon bowfront, i'm trying to avoid the snails. I have piranhas in there and could end up eating them. I thought adding flourite sand would help and mix with black diamond sand to save cost. So looks like my only options to avoid snails is buying Flourite not the sand version.....I would try Eco but I heard it gets dirty and uses up all the nutrients. I will try my luck w/ a low tech tank with no CO2. I seen a few folks had success here.

I want the flexibility to host other fish in the future if i get rid of the piranhas, but I definately do not want to buy snails for the tank. Just a preference....
 
You do realize with Trumpet Snails they BREED like crazy and NOTHING will ever TRULY eliminate them RIGHT? You can put 35 in there and in no time you will be up to 100. Even if the piranhas are in there and eating 10 a day, you will be fine. After a while you will be begging the piranhas to eat MORE.

EDIT

OK now I see where I got confused. I thought you said you WANTED snails and WANTED them to breed and take over the tank. Sorry, that I have been pushing the Snails. LOL need to read better.


Since you dont want snails then yea...the other planted substrate will have to do, maybe mix with pea size gravel to save cost.
 
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