Seachem Red Flourite and HC?

snakeskin · 05-06-2013, 03:24 AM

I am really excited bc I have some HC on the way and I want to make sure everything is right. I have been doing some reading and it seems as though HC needs lighter finer gravel with lots of nutrients to grow well.

I currently have seachem red flourite gravel (at least I think thats what it is, I bought the gravel many years ago) and I am wondering whether this will not be too course?

How deep should my gravel be for HC? Should I add some clay or soil with the gravel?

stevenjohn21 · 05-06-2013, 03:36 AM

I grew a good carpet of hc with fluorite, however it does take the roots longer to anchor in the substrate than say sand. If you are starting it dry then you will be ok but in an already established tank it's a PITA !
I also found when it comes to trimming it can be a little frustrating due to the lumpy substrate .

snakeskin · 05-06-2013, 03:42 AM

Where I am planning on planting the HC the fluorite is pretty shallow, I could easily add some sand to the area right on top of the fluorite... could that be an easy fix?

FlyingHellFish · 05-06-2013, 04:12 AM

I had great result with Flourite Black and HC Cuba. I think the bigger grain size of Flourite Red might pose some problems getting it to properly root, but it can be done.

snakeskin · 05-06-2013, 04:38 AM

I think I will pick up some smaller grained gravel tomorrow. I have been reading that it is better to grow HC in a biologically active medium that is also fortified with nutrients. As far as I know the fluorite is just inert gravel isn't it? Should I be adding anything?

MMantelli · 05-06-2013, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snakeskin

Where I am planning on planting the HC the fluorite is pretty shallow, I could easily add some sand to the area right on top of the fluorite... could that be an easy fix?

The flourite will eventually work its way up and the sand being so much finer will sink under the flourite. There is an eco complete black fine that works good .

snakeskin · 05-06-2013, 02:38 PM

I guess I will have to remove some gravel and get more sand than I had thought. I will check out the eco complete, thanks for the suggestion!

MMantelli · 05-11-2013, 02:31 AM

no problem i am also trying to carpet hc but in eco complete and every time i gravel vac no matter how gentle i am i either suck up a chunk or get a floater lol

05-06-2013, 03:24 AM	#1
snakeskin Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Gurnee,IL Posts: 296	Seachem Red Flourite and HC? I am really excited bc I have some HC on the way and I want to make sure everything is right. I have been doing some reading and it seems as though HC needs lighter finer gravel with lots of nutrients to grow well. I currently have seachem red flourite gravel (at least I think thats what it is, I bought the gravel many years ago) and I am wondering whether this will not be too course? How deep should my gravel be for HC? Should I add some clay or soil with the gravel?

05-06-2013, 03:36 AM	#2
stevenjohn21 Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10/100%) Join Date: May 2012 Location: Atlanta Posts: 1,001	I grew a good carpet of hc with fluorite, however it does take the roots longer to anchor in the substrate than say sand. If you are starting it dry then you will be ok but in an already established tank it's a PITA ! I also found when it comes to trimming it can be a little frustrating due to the lumpy substrate . __________________ “We didn’t underestimate them. They were just a lot better than we thought.” -Bobby Robson “Football is a simple game; 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans win.” -Gary Linekar "Some people are on the pitch! They think it's all over! It is now, it's four!" -Kenneth Wolstenholme

05-06-2013, 04:12 AM	#4
FlyingHellFish Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 834	I had great result with Flourite Black and HC Cuba. I think the bigger grain size of Flourite Red might pose some problems getting it to properly root, but it can be done. __________________ Fluval Edge 6 gallon. ADA 60P / Custom Regulator. DIY Cig Diffuser Youtube Video.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

05-06-2013, 03:42 AM	#3
snakeskin Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Gurnee,IL Posts: 296	Where I am planning on planting the HC the fluorite is pretty shallow, I could easily add some sand to the area right on top of the fluorite... could that be an easy fix?

05-06-2013, 04:38 AM	#5
snakeskin Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Gurnee,IL Posts: 296	I think I will pick up some smaller grained gravel tomorrow. I have been reading that it is better to grow HC in a biologically active medium that is also fortified with nutrients. As far as I know the fluorite is just inert gravel isn't it? Should I be adding anything?

05-06-2013, 02:38 PM	#7
snakeskin Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Gurnee,IL Posts: 296	I guess I will have to remove some gravel and get more sand than I had thought. I will check out the eco complete, thanks for the suggestion!

05-11-2013, 02:31 AM	#8
MMantelli Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: May 2013 Location: Centeal Florida Posts: 25	no problem i am also trying to carpet hc but in eco complete and every time i gravel vac no matter how gentle i am i either suck up a chunk or get a floater lol