Substrate and fertilizer

cramramdon · 07-26-2002, 10:55 AM

O.K. lets discuss substrate and fertilizer;

I am wondering what everybody's favorite fertilizer is?

I really like flourite for my tanks, one of them has a three-way mixture: equal parts flourite and gravel(small) and a little laterlite.

cram

Steve Hampton · 07-27-2002, 04:31 AM

For substrate:

Flourite is the easiest. Onyx is my favorite. But I use or have used just about every type and combination. I find that small tanks work better for me with a sand/laterite mix in the bottom 2 inches, topped with 1 inch of plain sand, then 1 inch of dark pea gravel. I've recently setup my first tank with profile, jury is still very much out of how I like this substrate.

cramramdon · 07-27-2002, 10:07 AM

How much sand? Say in comparison to a four inch substrate.

cram

Steve Hampton · 07-29-2002, 10:15 PM

Personally, for a 4 inch substrate I set up as follows:

Bottom 2 inches would be sand and laterite mixed together.

I then add a 1 inch layer of plain sand over this, it helps keep the laterite form being introduced to the water column.

The top 1 inch I use a dark colored pea gravel.

So, to answer your question, about 3 inches of sand, but with the laterite mixed into part of it.

inxs · 07-30-2002, 12:52 PM

Favorite fertilizer - PMDD.

Easy to manipulate according to needs.

Jason · 09-20-2002, 03:51 AM

I herd from another forum that one of the members uses cat litter as a substrait.

What are your thoughts on that?

lorax · 11-16-2002, 12:11 PM

Out of curiosity I experimented by putting cat litter in a cup with water. It clouded up, so I rinsed , iit clouded up so I rinsed, and so on and so on. It kept breaking down until it was mush. if you had it covered up pretty deep it might work, but it seemed pretty bad for me.

What about crushed up terra cotta pots?

SNPiccolo5 · 11-16-2002, 08:07 PM

It might be more diffucult to crush terra cotta pots, and any left over large pieces might be really sharp. I'd be careful crushing terra cotta pots.

-Tim

Ackar · 08-23-2004, 06:04 PM

How about terra cotta beads?

At the local 'Big Box' craft store they have non-painted terra cotta threaded beads that look like they would be a simple hard clay additive for sand/gravel substrates.

09-20-2002, 03:51 AM	#6
Jason Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Southern New Jersey Posts: 8	I herd from another forum that one of the members uses cat litter as a substrait. What are your thoughts on that? __________________ Hello All!

11-16-2002, 08:07 PM	#8
SNPiccolo5 Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 859	It might be more diffucult to crush terra cotta pots, and any left over large pieces might be really sharp. I'd be careful crushing terra cotta pots. -Tim __________________ Tank in transition! 55 gallons, hard water.

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07-26-2002, 10:55 AM	#1
cramramdon Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 48	O.K. lets discuss substrate and fertilizer; I am wondering what everybody's favorite fertilizer is? I really like flourite for my tanks, one of them has a three-way mixture: equal parts flourite and gravel(small) and a little laterlite. cram

07-27-2002, 04:31 AM	#2
Steve Hampton Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Jacksonville Beach, FL Posts: 160	For substrate: Flourite is the easiest. Onyx is my favorite. But I use or have used just about every type and combination. I find that small tanks work better for me with a sand/laterite mix in the bottom 2 inches, topped with 1 inch of plain sand, then 1 inch of dark pea gravel. I've recently setup my first tank with profile, jury is still very much out of how I like this substrate.

07-27-2002, 10:07 AM	#3
cramramdon Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 48	How much sand? Say in comparison to a four inch substrate. cram

07-29-2002, 10:15 PM	#4
Steve Hampton Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Jacksonville Beach, FL Posts: 160	Personally, for a 4 inch substrate I set up as follows: Bottom 2 inches would be sand and laterite mixed together. I then add a 1 inch layer of plain sand over this, it helps keep the laterite form being introduced to the water column. The top 1 inch I use a dark colored pea gravel. So, to answer your question, about 3 inches of sand, but with the laterite mixed into part of it.

07-30-2002, 12:52 PM	#5
inxs Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Litchfield , CT Posts: 21	Favorite fertilizer - PMDD. Easy to manipulate according to needs.

11-16-2002, 12:11 PM	#7
lorax Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: michigan Posts: 41	Out of curiosity I experimented by putting cat litter in a cup with water. It clouded up, so I rinsed , iit clouded up so I rinsed, and so on and so on. It kept breaking down until it was mush. if you had it covered up pretty deep it might work, but it seemed pretty bad for me. What about crushed up terra cotta pots?

08-23-2004, 06:04 PM	#9
Ackar Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 27	How about terra cotta beads? At the local 'Big Box' craft store they have non-painted terra cotta threaded beads that look like they would be a simple hard clay additive for sand/gravel substrates.