Sand capped with fluorite (plant mix)?

bbroush · 12-21-2012, 08:03 PM

Is this a really stupid idea? I know I'm new in the hobby, but I feel like it's worth asking. So I have some left over fluorite from another tank that I set up and I was thinking of adding some more depth to my substrate in my 20 gallon tall, low tech tank. It's heavily planted and growing very well and the substrate is a mix of a black and white sand from my lfs and Eco complete (leftover from a friend). the depth is about 1.5-2" in front and as deep as 2-3" in back. my only issue is that I really don't want to disturb my whole tank by removing all my plants and fish and redoing everything. So this may be a dumb question but can I cap my sand with the fluorite? Or is that a bad idea? I want to use the fluorite and it's not enough on it's own to be deep enough. I know this might be a dumb idea but I heard someone mention they'd capped sand in the low tech forum and was hoping for a response.

bbroush · 12-22-2012, 04:52 PM

Bump

AirstoND · 12-24-2012, 03:30 AM

Post the best picture of your sand substrate and flourite next to each other.

I would use thin (<0.5in) substrate if sand is finer than flourite. Otherwise 1:1: proportion would be OK, to avoid anaerobic issues and gravel siphoning it up accidentally.

bbroush · 12-24-2012, 04:07 AM

I'm actually away for the holidays this week. But the sand is definitely a larger grain, but not as large as the fluorite. So knowing about the potential of anaerobic pockets makes me glad I brought this up, so only a .5" layer? I definitely have a good population of Malaysian trumpet snails aerating the sand now. I don't see why that would change with a fluorite cap.

Diana · 12-24-2012, 04:50 PM

MTS will work through the flourite cap. I would add it in shallow layers, perhaps just in drifts or patches. See it you like the more natural look.

bbroush · 12-24-2012, 04:56 PM

Great idea. Thanks everyone! If I add it like that would I have to take out all my plants?

Diana · 12-24-2012, 06:05 PM

No. Aquatic plants are not like land plants. They do not mind the substrate getting a little deeper around the stems. Do not bury the smallest plants, like ground cover plants, of course.

bbroush · 12-24-2012, 06:42 PM

Okay, so my dwarf sag and small crypts I need to be careful of? That's good to know. Thanks for your help! And Merry Christmas!

FlyingHellFish · 12-25-2012, 12:25 AM

I would think the flourite on top of the sand will eventually go into the bottom. MTS? I don't think you can add that in a tank that is already done up. Wouldn't that just dissolve? You need to have the MTS on the bottom and then cap the flourite.

bbroush · 12-25-2012, 12:55 AM

Sorry, the snail, not the soil

12-21-2012, 08:03 PM	#1
bbroush Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Utah Posts: 41	Sand capped with fluorite (plant mix)? Is this a really stupid idea? I know I'm new in the hobby, but I feel like it's worth asking. So I have some left over fluorite from another tank that I set up and I was thinking of adding some more depth to my substrate in my 20 gallon tall, low tech tank. It's heavily planted and growing very well and the substrate is a mix of a black and white sand from my lfs and Eco complete (leftover from a friend). the depth is about 1.5-2" in front and as deep as 2-3" in back. my only issue is that I really don't want to disturb my whole tank by removing all my plants and fish and redoing everything. So this may be a dumb question but can I cap my sand with the fluorite? Or is that a bad idea? I want to use the fluorite and it's not enough on it's own to be deep enough. I know this might be a dumb idea but I heard someone mention they'd capped sand in the low tech forum and was hoping for a response.

12-25-2012, 12:25 AM	#9
FlyingHellFish Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 844	I would think the flourite on top of the sand will eventually go into the bottom. MTS? I don't think you can add that in a tank that is already done up. Wouldn't that just dissolve? You need to have the MTS on the bottom and then cap the flourite. __________________ Fluval Edge 6 gallon. ADA 60P / Custom Regulator. DIY Cig Diffuser Youtube Video.

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12-22-2012, 04:52 PM	#2
bbroush Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Utah Posts: 41	Bump

12-24-2012, 03:30 AM	#3
AirstoND Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 1,194	Post the best picture of your sand substrate and flourite next to each other. I would use thin (<0.5in) substrate if sand is finer than flourite. Otherwise 1:1: proportion would be OK, to avoid anaerobic issues and gravel siphoning it up accidentally.

12-24-2012, 04:07 AM	#4
bbroush Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Utah Posts: 41	I'm actually away for the holidays this week. But the sand is definitely a larger grain, but not as large as the fluorite. So knowing about the potential of anaerobic pockets makes me glad I brought this up, so only a .5" layer? I definitely have a good population of Malaysian trumpet snails aerating the sand now. I don't see why that would change with a fluorite cap.

12-24-2012, 04:50 PM	#5
Diana Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Contra Costa CA Posts: 5,015	MTS will work through the flourite cap. I would add it in shallow layers, perhaps just in drifts or patches. See it you like the more natural look.

12-24-2012, 04:56 PM	#6
bbroush Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Utah Posts: 41	Great idea. Thanks everyone! If I add it like that would I have to take out all my plants?

12-24-2012, 06:05 PM	#7
Diana Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Contra Costa CA Posts: 5,015	No. Aquatic plants are not like land plants. They do not mind the substrate getting a little deeper around the stems. Do not bury the smallest plants, like ground cover plants, of course.

12-24-2012, 06:42 PM	#8
bbroush Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Utah Posts: 41	Okay, so my dwarf sag and small crypts I need to be careful of? That's good to know. Thanks for your help! And Merry Christmas!

12-25-2012, 12:55 AM	#10
bbroush Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Utah Posts: 41	Sorry, the snail, not the soil