Reytube Posted May 16, 2012 Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 (edited) Hello all. Im trying to set up a new planted tank, im wondering what is the best substrate mixture for planted tank. And where to get it? Thanks in advance. Tank size is 120 gal. Edited May 16, 2012 by Reytube Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cainechow Posted May 16, 2012 Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 What is your goal for the tank? Heavily planted? High Tech vs. Low Tech? Into water changes? Budget? Answers to those will probably help determine what substrate you might want to use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted May 16, 2012 Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 I've grown most aquatic plants in playsand and other inert substrates that can be purchased from Home Depot and sandblasting suppliers for a fraction of expensive specialty substrates. I have a journal thread of my planted 120gal, and it's just a mix of playsand and black sand. 5" depth cost about $50; if I just went with playsand, it would have cost about 1/2 that much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reytube Posted May 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 Just want to have the best healthy results. I dont care how much would cost Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubr0ke Posted May 17, 2012 Report Share Posted May 17, 2012 Just want to have the best healthy results. I dont care how much would cost ADA aqua soil is the best substrate you can use. You would have to go to Calgary to get it though. Its pricey but nothing compares. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crystal Posted May 17, 2012 Report Share Posted May 17, 2012 (edited) I just used plain black sand - most ferts go into the water, or perhaps the addition of tablets for the heavy feeders like swords. I just added 1 tab for the sword every 2 months, Flourish excel every 3 days, and a tank of CO2 set at 2 bubbles per 3 seconds. This is the setup: Edited May 17, 2012 by Crystal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reytube Posted May 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2012 Thank you guys for all infos. Really helpful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsFard Posted June 18, 2012 Report Share Posted June 18, 2012 I've grown most aquatic plants in playsand and other inert substrates that can be purchased from Home Depot and sandblasting suppliers for a fraction of expensive specialty substrates. I have a journal thread of my planted 120gal, and it's just a mix of playsand and black sand. 5" depth cost about $50; if I just went with playsand, it would have cost about 1/2 that much. where is the cheapest place to buy the black sand? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted June 18, 2012 Report Share Posted June 18, 2012 The only stuff that I've seen that is safe for all fish is at the LFS. If you don't have catfish or fish that sift sand thru their gills, then you can get copper slag from sand blasting suppliers like Sil Industries or Manus Abrasives. (null) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsFard Posted June 18, 2012 Report Share Posted June 18, 2012 Someone had exo terra dessert sand on kijiji, would that work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckmullin Posted June 18, 2012 Report Share Posted June 18, 2012 depends on how fine it is this will be underwater so fine stuff will just make clouds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcgd Posted June 18, 2012 Report Share Posted June 18, 2012 What are you after? Pool filter sand is a tan colour and pretty clean from the bag. Plus it would cost around $30 for your whole tank. It's fairly light and doesn't compact too much. I second ADA being the best. If you are even half decent and growing plants ADA will more than pull its weight. I also use flourite, but it's inert. Hold nutrients well after some time though, just doesn't come with any. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted June 18, 2012 Report Share Posted June 18, 2012 One of our tanks at work has the ExoTerra sand. It seems to be OK - we've had it in there for 4 yrs or so. (null) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
syno321 Posted June 20, 2012 Report Share Posted June 20, 2012 I just used plain black sand - most ferts go into the water, or perhaps the addition of tablets for the heavy feeders like swords. I just added 1 tab for the sword every 2 months, Flourish excel every 3 days, and a tank of CO2 set at 2 bubbles per 3 seconds. This is the setup: Gorgeous! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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