Substrate and suggestions on stock.

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

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 6, 2010
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Arizona
So I got my filter and now I need to find a substrate I like. I was going to go with play sand or PFS, but decided not to cheap out (no offense to anyone).

For a 180 gallon.

So this is a multi-part answer for anyone who responds. I am planning to go with an SE Asian biotope because I love my Fire Eel.

First off I need thoughts on a substrate. I want to go planted and a darker substrate to make my eels colors pop. Would just black sand work with occasional liquid fert.? Or should I go for a substrate intended to provide minerals for plants? Links below.

http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/4352/product.web Sand

http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/11122/product.web Flourite

Next are your thoughts on stock for my SE biotope. I was thinking possibly some bala sharks and clown loaches? Also what plants would you recommend?

Thanks for any help and input!
 
If you want dark substrate and are doing a planted tank I would go with Eco Complete. It will run you about $22 a bag online but the stuff is great with plants. I had a sand substrate and added Eco to my tank on top of the sand for my plants....what a difference and I love the black coilor against the plants.
 
I've never had success with plants before. I'm thinking about giving it another try soon. I don't think you will have any success with plants in sand. I would use something made especially for plants like eco-complete as the other poster stated. Use something that has nutrients in it and you will probably have better results.

As far as stock, Clown Loaches will eat plants. You will need to get some plants that will have a very high growth rate as the loaches will abuse them. I'm going to need to research this as well since I have 10 Clown Loaches. I'm not even sure if loaches can be combined with plants. I think Bala Sharks will eat the plants as well.
 
I was looking at the sand there too as I am seemingly there weekly looking at one thing or another (this week to pick up a 125 gal I think...)

I saw a link posted elsewhere that I have to find again that had a bit more fine sand and some other colors. I like the idea of the black painted background and orange sand so I might personally be going that route.

For what you posted if you are to stay away from plants then I would go with one of the colored sand substrates that they sell. If you go with clown loaches like you said then I would not do plants and instead a nice rock aquascape with some larger fake plants so your school of loaches can glide in and out of view. I think that would look pretty epic...
 
Oh and I should add that ThatPetPlace has a customer appreciate day coming up Oct 2-3 with some huge sales. I dont know if you get their flyer and are part of their loyalty program but I just got it in the mail yesterday with some 20% off coupons and such. Some great overall deals...
 
you can try any of the fine grained flora-sand and mix it in with black sand. play sand is great but not for plants. depends on the ph required for your fish tho as some substrates for plants will raise or lower ph. peat is great for plants but ph becomes acidic
 
x2- Black EcoComplete. The finer sandy particles will get sucked up in siphon and filters a little, but it's an all around great substrate
 
BadOleRoss;4420760; said:
I have a planted tank with about 2" of pool filter sand covered with about 1/2" of eco complete. My plants are doing fine. I did stick some plant tabs in the sand when I first set it up and I am sure that helps some. I also dose with flourish twice a week.
Click to expand...

Good money saving idea, definitely worth looking into.
 
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