HC and Flourite in low tech tank?

arsNatura · 10-11-2012, 10:44 PM

So I am interested in having HC in a 15g shrimp tank I am planning. No Co2 (thinking about using API's CO2 liquid additive - would love to hear any opinions on this product). Double strip LED light.

So here is my question, will this grow fine with flourite under a sand cap? I wanted to splurge on some ADA Amazonia but would rather save the cost at this moment as I already have a bunch of flourite. I could possibly even get some Eco-Complete if that might be better and still save me some cash.

New to planted tank so the help is appreciated

somewhatshocked · 10-11-2012, 11:39 PM

HC isn't going to carpet without ferts and CO2.

Excel/liquid alternatives aren't always shrimp-friendly and can kill them if you're not careful. Mileage varies on that front.

Eco-Complete is inert. It's basically crushed lava rock.

arsNatura · 10-11-2012, 11:58 PM

thanks for the info...guessing I would be better off going with glosso?

I saw a $50 co2 kit in petco - the Ista kit, but read some bad reviews on here and don't really have the money to invest in anything else. Good to know if it would be a waste of time with the HC

Knotyoureality · 10-12-2012, 02:12 AM

Sand doesn't cap over fluorite--sorry. Finer particles will always filter down; generally far faster than you would ever expect.

Also, HC *can* produce a carpet without c02, it just takes a lot of work and patience--more than most people want to put in.

Bruce_S · 10-12-2012, 02:23 AM

Knotyoureality's right. I tried to cap a flourite / pool filter sand mix with black sand. Now I have a flourite cap over a black / pool filter sand mix. It works well enough...

~Bruce

arsNatura · 10-12-2012, 04:23 AM

lol ya, my flourite has mixed a bit with the sand in my 4g tank, the look works in that tank, but I understand what you mean if someone would want a real sand cap

10-11-2012, 10:44 PM	#1
arsNatura Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Seattle Posts: 100	HC and Flourite in low tech tank? So I am interested in having HC in a 15g shrimp tank I am planning. No Co2 (thinking about using API's CO2 liquid additive - would love to hear any opinions on this product). Double strip LED light. So here is my question, will this grow fine with flourite under a sand cap? I wanted to splurge on some ADA Amazonia but would rather save the cost at this moment as I already have a bunch of flourite. I could possibly even get some Eco-Complete if that might be better and still save me some cash. New to planted tank so the help is appreciated

10-11-2012, 11:39 PM	#2
somewhatshocked Obsessed? Maybe (View User Tanks) PTrader: (262/100%) Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,572	HC isn't going to carpet without ferts and CO2. Excel/liquid alternatives aren't always shrimp-friendly and can kill them if you're not careful. Mileage varies on that front. Eco-Complete is inert. It's basically crushed lava rock. __________________ 12gal Long \| 20L Shrimp Tanks \| 3gal Longs \| 10gal \| 45-F \| 5.5gal Tigers \| 20cm Cubes

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10-11-2012, 11:58 PM	#3
arsNatura Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Seattle Posts: 100	thanks for the info...guessing I would be better off going with glosso? I saw a $50 co2 kit in petco - the Ista kit, but read some bad reviews on here and don't really have the money to invest in anything else. Good to know if it would be a waste of time with the HC

10-12-2012, 02:12 AM	#4
Knotyoureality Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 739	Sand doesn't cap over fluorite--sorry. Finer particles will always filter down; generally far faster than you would ever expect. Also, HC can produce a carpet without c02, it just takes a lot of work and patience--more than most people want to put in.

10-12-2012, 02:23 AM	#5
Bruce_S Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Southwestern Connecticut, USA Posts: 104	Knotyoureality's right. I tried to cap a flourite / pool filter sand mix with black sand. Now I have a flourite cap over a black / pool filter sand mix. It works well enough... ~Bruce

10-12-2012, 04:23 AM	#6
arsNatura Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4/100%) Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Seattle Posts: 100	lol ya, my flourite has mixed a bit with the sand in my 4g tank, the look works in that tank, but I understand what you mean if someone would want a real sand cap