substrates for planted tanks

[artw]

I am trying to decide what kind of substrate to use in my 90, and just wondering what people here are using.  I have been poking around on Google and there seems to be positive reviews of Fluorite, either 100% by itself, which can get expensive,  and fluorite cut with 25%-50% Profile, which is really shultz clay potting soil from Home depot... has anyone here tried this and how was your success?  does it make a mess of the tank?   this will eventually be a high light tank with pressurized Co2 so I want to get the gravel right the first time.  thus shying away from plan pool filter sand or ordinary gravel.   
thanks!

[BigDaddy]

High light and CO2?  No question... 100% Flourite

You're tank has the same footprint as mine... and I did 5 bags of Flourite.  In hindsight, I would have preferred probably 6 1/2 bags.... simply because its a little thin in spots unless you make the substrate completely level (read BORING)

I don't recommend Profile for planted tank newbies... it has its own set of challenges...

[darkdep]

Don't you need to replace Flourite on a regular basis?

[artw]

according to Seachem's website and Aquabotanic, no

[Mettle]

There are a few different types of aquatic plant soils available at different places like Home Depot and Rona and so forth that a friend of mine in the USA who does amazing planted tanks has used or plans to use in the near future. He has four or five 75 gallon tanks going now and all are different experiments in lighting and substrate, but all have pressurized co2 and look like lush underwater jungles... I'll ask him for the names if you're interested in an alternative to fluorite. Or even just the specs on a couple of his tanks.

[Aiglos]

I have had alot of positive experiance with Eco-Complete.   Except that it is impossible to find at times

My latest tank is a 37H, 30x12 footprint and it took me  3 bags of Flourite to get a good base. Its nice looking stuff,  Requires alot of rinsing. 

good luck !

[SnowJob]

Rinse Flourite a lot otherwise you will have a VERY messy tank for a long time. (Trust me on this) 

[artw]

well hopefully I can figure out the diatom filter.  I have 2 weeks or so before my fish order comes in,  so that should give plenty of time for the water to clear, and the filter to get seeded (hi Roxydog)
I suppose I'll probably blow away the viz anyway when I start planting plants

[SuperT]

Hi everyone.

I have three planted tanks and all have different substrate.

The smallest (and with the best results) has african violet soil and peat (50/50) in the first layer with a blocker of play sand (toys r us 4.29 a 50lbs bag) on top and then added a little gravel for display.

The next has a layer of laterite overlayed with gravel (although most of the big swords have been potted (with soil/peat/sand blocker) and then hidden.  The plants directly planted in the gravel are growing nicely but still no match for the soil/peat combo.

The last has only gravel and isn't doing as well (although I just changed the lights) hopefully the fertilizer my fish are providing will be enough.

Just my 2 cents.

Terry

[Underwater]

Where do you buy flourite anyway?

[BigDaddy]

Where do you buy flourite anyway?

I get mine at Big Al's

[artw]

just an update
I put in 4 bags of flourite and 1 25 lb bag of estes spectra bits of walnut, and it looks very nice,  looks to be about 2" deep, thinner or thicker in places,  I won't have a real good look at it until the water clears.

[babblefish1960]

You mean to say that the tank is up and has water in it? Will wonders never cease, I'm all agog with amazement that after all of this time, it is actually happening and plants to boot, what a truly remarkable red letter day this will be. And no african cichlids in the offing? Who'd have thought it possible.

[Aquafish]

I'm no expert but I have found that the Flourite red has given off a residue on plants and etc...I had mixed it in with Eco Complete and have found that eco is nice but even more costly than flourite!

[babblefish1960]

I see you've been exercising your moderator powers again...An old Klingon proverb; revenge is a dish that is best served cold... it's very cold in space.

"He tasks me he tasks me, I'll chase him round the outer nebula and round the Antares maelstrom and round perditions flames... "



Good luck with the planting, and post some pictures why don't you, you towel carrying rascal you. Knights of Ni in a bag indeed.

[Mettle]

You know... you could just do some West African fish. And still have your planted setup. There's plenty of interesting fish out there such as kribs, African butterflies, etc. And this way you wouldn't be completely abandoning your former incarnation, heh.