Hi, I'm new, you can call me Gretchen. This is my first post. :hihi:
I've been reading this forum for a while, and I'm trying to determine which substrate to use in my new 30 gallon acrylic tank. I've got 2 other smaller acrylic tanks, lightly planted, with black sand substrate. I like the sand. It's pretty. Stuff grows (slowly).
However, the sand + acrylic = scratch city. I haven't had any major disasters yet, but with this larger tank I would like to minimize chances of substrate scratch disasters.
I read somewhere on this forum in a post from 2006 that ADA Aquasoil does not scratch acrylic. However, I've also seen youtube videos of ADA Aquasoil darkening water; plus, it's pricey.
So, I've been considering the aquariumplants.com substrate, because I like its dark color. Does anyone have experience with using the aquariumplants.com substrate (or the other similar clay-based substrates) with acrylic - does it tend to scratch as much as eco-complete or sand would? Would the shape of the substrate also factor into this? For example, it appears that aquariumplants.com offers a "soft belly soil" substrate - would this also help minimize scratching?
Thanks in advance for any input or advice!!
Gretchen
I've been reading this forum for a while, and I'm trying to determine which substrate to use in my new 30 gallon acrylic tank. I've got 2 other smaller acrylic tanks, lightly planted, with black sand substrate. I like the sand. It's pretty. Stuff grows (slowly).
However, the sand + acrylic = scratch city. I haven't had any major disasters yet, but with this larger tank I would like to minimize chances of substrate scratch disasters.
I read somewhere on this forum in a post from 2006 that ADA Aquasoil does not scratch acrylic. However, I've also seen youtube videos of ADA Aquasoil darkening water; plus, it's pricey.
So, I've been considering the aquariumplants.com substrate, because I like its dark color. Does anyone have experience with using the aquariumplants.com substrate (or the other similar clay-based substrates) with acrylic - does it tend to scratch as much as eco-complete or sand would? Would the shape of the substrate also factor into this? For example, it appears that aquariumplants.com offers a "soft belly soil" substrate - would this also help minimize scratching?
Thanks in advance for any input or advice!!
Gretchen