My 72 Gallon Bowtank 3D Background
- Thread starter rrmedicx
- Start date
rrmedicx;5097868; said:
The blue gravel feedback your getting in my opinion is more gear driven towards you spending $$$ for a natural looking background and the unatural blue gravel taking away from that. Don't take offense, the people suggesting against it also love your tank/work so take it as a compliment.
I would.I vote natural color gravel all the way. Gravel or sand doesn't matter but with your plumbing it looks like gravel is going to be your best option. A tan colored medium-large grade gravel would look great against that BG. I LOVE your return plumbing dude, nicely done. I have almost the same thing in my 300 gallonhooked up to FX5's. Loc-Line is not cheap but by far the best return money can buy IMO. I adjust mine constantly and enjoy the flexability a lot.
The pre bagged substrate that says "pre-rinsed" and says it doesn't need to be rinsed DOES need to be rinsed!! Trust me!! Flourite also says it's pre rinsed and doesn't require rinsing and leaves a huge cloud of straight dirt in your tank for 2 days if not pre rinsed. While on that subject.... Flourite would actually look great in this tank, is a larger granule than sand, and has the darker and lighter brown natural colors. Plus, it's got Iron, Magnesium, and all the other elements you need for live plants.
As far as rinsing with any substrate just fill a 5 gallon bucket a pinch less than half full, throw it in the tub under the spout, run the water in it until the water starts dumping out clear, rinse repeat. Also I stick my arm in there and shift the substrate around a bit while running the water to make sure to get the bottom layer.
Here's flourite. http://www.bigalsonline.com/Fish_Pl...ubstrates_Flourite_8064257_82.html?tc=default
And for an idea of the natural look it gives to a tank here's my old 10g with flourite before being planted.
As far as rinsing with any substrate just fill a 5 gallon bucket a pinch less than half full, throw it in the tub under the spout, run the water in it until the water starts dumping out clear, rinse repeat. Also I stick my arm in there and shift the substrate around a bit while running the water to make sure to get the bottom layer.
Here's flourite. http://www.bigalsonline.com/Fish_Pl...ubstrates_Flourite_8064257_82.html?tc=default
And for an idea of the natural look it gives to a tank here's my old 10g with flourite before being planted.
Thank you again for the compliments and the suggestions.
At this point, I am either going with a very light colored granular sand product or black. (I think I'm leaning to the lighter color)
Agreed that the smallest type of grain is not suitable for my set-up, so I will make sure to keep the granules 1-2.0mm or perhaps a little larger.
At this point, I am either going with a very light colored granular sand product or black. (I think I'm leaning to the lighter color)
Agreed that the smallest type of grain is not suitable for my set-up, so I will make sure to keep the granules 1-2.0mm or perhaps a little larger.
SO its been 48 hours for the silicone so far, and after the first 24, I noticed a 1/2 inch area that I missed, so I corrected that and now I want to wait until tomorrow to buy and clean and position the substrate (time permitting).
If I can get that done, then I am almost home free.
I ordered some additional plants which should arrive tomorrow. I have to clean those before adding them to the tank. I already have 4 small Amazon Sword plants in my spare tank dying for more space. Roots have grown out of the mini cardboard pots. They are very strong looking plants. Looking forward to planting them.
If I can get that done, then I am almost home free.
I ordered some additional plants which should arrive tomorrow. I have to clean those before adding them to the tank. I already have 4 small Amazon Sword plants in my spare tank dying for more space. Roots have grown out of the mini cardboard pots. They are very strong looking plants. Looking forward to planting them.
The tank is really looking good. I would really consider using some Flourite in your tank it will really make a difference in your plants long term. I usually mix it in with a natural gravel if I am going to make a planted tank. It gives off many key essentials your plants will need that they will not get otherwise.
Great. Thank you. Just looking at my color options at this point. Its either a very light almost white color or the complete opposite (Black Substrate). I am finding more black color Flourite than the light at this point.
Anyone use this substrate?
http://www.aquariumguys.com/eco-complate-plant-substrate-20lb.html
or this sand?
http://www.aquariumguys.com/flourite-black-sand-15lb.html
Any feedback on good and/or any bad experiences please?
I also have to check Home Depot very close to home since they carry a playground type sand which is supposed to be decent.
And then there is this:
http://www.aquariumguys.com/austalian-gold-sand-1-20lb.html
http://www.aquariumguys.com/eco-complate-plant-substrate-20lb.html
or this sand?
http://www.aquariumguys.com/flourite-black-sand-15lb.html
Any feedback on good and/or any bad experiences please?
I also have to check Home Depot very close to home since they carry a playground type sand which is supposed to be decent.
And then there is this:
http://www.aquariumguys.com/austalian-gold-sand-1-20lb.html
Whoops disregard the last one from Australia, that is Aragonite and is intended for saltwater only.
I'll keep looking.
I'll keep looking.
