Is plant specific substrate necessary?

[hvuong]

I use a type of baseball field substrate called turface, which is supporting all my plants and doesn't mess around with my water, and was wondering if i should use any type of plant specific substrate. I was thinking about buying Flourite and was wondering if aqua soil amazonia was worth its high price. Any suggestions of a better type of substrate? thanks

 

[zerelli]

I love flourite. I have used it in many different tanks and have never been disappointed in it.

 

[hvuong]

Oh. Thanks. A bag of flourite says its enough for a typical 10 gallon tank, what are the dimensions for the bottom of a 10gal tank? I have a 30 gal long which is 36"x12" how many bags would that be?

 

[arowana man]

Oh. Thanks. A bag of flourite says its enough for a typical 10 gallon tank, what are the dimensions for the bottom of a 10gal tank? I have a 30 gal long which is 36"x12" how many bags would that be?

18'' long, 12'' wide. it will fill a 10 at 2'' deep. i would do 3 bags. 1 bag covers the bottom of my 75 at 1/4'' deep

 

[zerelli]

You can also use flourite under some other substrate or mixed in with it. I think two bags is enough if you mix it with something else.

 

[voss345]

i use scotts aquatic plant soil, can get it virtually anywhere and its dirt cheap
6-7 dollars for 10 pounds (the individual pieces are very light so there alot of it) i can cover a regular 20 gallon with one bag 2-3" deep

 

[robmcd]

i use scotts aquatic plant soil, can get it virtually anywhere and its dirt cheap
6-7 dollars for 10 pounds (the individual pieces are very light so there alot of it) i can cover a regular 20 gallon with one bag 2-3" deep

Do you mean schultz aquatic plant soil from home depot or lowes?? Thats what I use and I swear by it.......

 

[voss345]

woops yea rob its schultz ahah i confuse it alot with Scott, lawn care

its great stuff though especially when your considering price vs ecocomplete and others

 

[chonhzilla]

Do you mean schultz aquatic plant soil from home depot or lowes?? Thats what I use and I swear by it.......

really?.......does is cloud up the water at all?.....look good?.....got pictures?

 

[t0p_sh0tta]

I have a 30 long with Fluorite dark. It looks nice, but from my reading, a plant specific substrate is unnecessary. I'm setting up a new planted tank that will be using pool filter sand.