Substrate for acrylic planted tank

[Carterfish]

Hi,

i really need help from people with acrylic tank since I am becoming crazy with choice overload.

i want to have a planted tank and my manufacturer advises me not to use gravel smaller than 3 mm.

So I cannot or should not use Pool Filter Sand.

i could use Soil, since it is just dried Mud and hope it won’t scratch.

i could use gravel, with 3-5 mm size, but it won’t offer any benefits other than not scratching .

also, there is Seachem Flourite Dark with big gravel size, but I heard it is sharp and will scratch my tank.

also there is Fluval stratum, which seems to be soil that does not decompose so fast…

what would you use in an acrylic tank?

thank you in advance

 

[Rocksor]

I've always used sand in my acrylic tanks, even with prolific cichlid diggers. Any scratches on the inside are not seen by the naked eye that easily. When you remove the water, you might see very fine scratches. Sand won't scratch a tank if it's just sitting there in a planted tank so I'm not sure what the deal is with the manufacturer's advice. Gravel at 3-5mm in size will still scratch a tank if you rub it against the acrylic pane.

 

[Carterfish]

I've always used sand in my acrylic tanks, even with prolific cichlid diggers. Any scratches on the inside are not seen by the naked eye that easily. When you remove the water, you might see very fine scratches. Sand won't scratch a tank if it's just sitting there in a planted tank so I'm not sure what the deal is with the manufacturer's advice. Gravel at 3-5mm in size will still scratch a tank if you rub it against the acrylic pane.

Thank you.
he says that the 0,4-0,8 mm Pool Filter Sand would float and sit on the Acrylic Walls and when you clean it is game over.
What size of sand do you use?
0,4-0,8 or 0,7-1,2 or 1-2 mm?

 

[Carterfish]

PS: I would love to keep Rams or Apistograma which need sand, but it Sand is so bad I will keep other fish.

 

[duanes]

I have used filter sand for decades, its graded (heavy enough)to quickly sink after being backwashed.
I seen play sand float
but I've never known wet PFS to float

 

[Rocksor]

Thank you.
he says that the 0,4-0,8 mm Pool Filter Sand would float and sit on the Acrylic Walls and when you clean it is game over.
What size of sand do you use?
0,4-0,8 or 0,7-1,2 or 1-2 mm?

Manufacturer is wrong about poo filter sand floating. Pool filter sand is mesh size #20 (0.8mm) and it does not float when put into a tank filled with water nor after water hits it. It will readily sink to the bottom. I've also use smaller grain play sand as well. This will initially float with no surface agitation, but will sink to the bottom when you agitate the water's surface.

The only problem is during cleaning. You have to be sure that you do not touch the substrate with your cleaning sponge. The sand might get stuck in between the cleaning sponge and the acrylic pane. Just be careful with cleaning.

Scratches that occur on the inside and outside of the acrylic tank are generally the owner's fault for not being careful. I highly doubt the cichlids will scratch the tank when they spit the sand onto the acrylic sides.

 

[Carterfish]

Ok, thank you again. So I am ok with 0,4-0,8 mm PFS?

 

[Rocksor]

Ok, thank you again. So I am ok with 0,4-0,8 mm PFS?

Yes. If it floats, simply use your hand to whirl the water around and it will sink.