Can I (should I) add Laterite to an established tank?

Mark1 · 04-03-2007, 05:22 PM

I have an existing 30" long tank with a gravel substrate and no plants. Now I would like to grow some plants. Do you recommend adding laterite or something else rather than putting the plants right in the gravel? Can I grow certain plants right in the gravel? I would like to keep simple, low maintenance plants, so I do not need the "ideal" set up for a wide varierty of plants, but I'd like to do it right. Thanks.

frozenbarb · 04-03-2007, 05:29 PM

I would start over dumping laterite in the tank will cloud up ur tank for months,

take fishes out switch gravel and plants

if you feel like going with ur regular gravel, 1-3mm sized gravel would work

high light would be 3watts per gallon
what about ur lights?, if u got low lights go with some java moss , some crypts, and other mosses

Mark1 · 04-03-2007, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frozenbarb

I would start over dumping laterite in the tank will cloud up ur tank for months,

take fishes out switch gravel and plants

if you feel like going with ur regular gravel, 1-3mm sized gravel would work

high light would be 3watts per gallon
what about ur lights?, if u got low lights go with some java moss , some crypts, and other mosses

Sorry, but I don't really get what you are saying. You would dump laterite in and cloud the tank for months? I'm not looking to re-do the whole tank at this point.

Loyal to the Oil · 04-03-2007, 05:59 PM

I think he is saying that if you dumped in the laterite without removing the water, fish, plants, and gravel from the tank first then your water would be cloudy for months.

You said you DO NOT want to start your tank over so i think the answer is "no" you should not add laterite. Instead plant plants that dont need the special substrate. Like the ones he mentioned above.

Loyal to the Oil

Chrona · 04-03-2007, 06:01 PM

Or plants that feed primarily from the water column (or don't need to be rooted) like java fern.

Mark1 · 04-03-2007, 06:08 PM

O.K. Thank you for the answers. So, you all would not reccommend adding anything to the substrate. Can I get good growth from the plants you mention planted directly in the gravel?

frozenbarb · 04-03-2007, 06:10 PM

yes dependin on the lights you get

java fern would be the best

what is the size of ur gravel?

Mark1 · 04-03-2007, 06:23 PM

I would estimate the gravel is about 2-3 mm or about 1/8". I probably don't have enough light - just a single 30" light strip but I could easily get a double light strip. Also, If I don't want to get into a fertilizer "program", would the fish produce enough nutrients for the plants? Thanks.

Storm_Rider · 04-03-2007, 06:51 PM

i'm just curious, why can't he just add the laterite and do lots of water changes.

don't know if it will help, but when i had to add more flourite (or laterite i don't remember which anymore) to one of my tanks, i washed it lightly and put it into a giant ziplock bag that i lowered into the tank and then poured out the deep as possible. it did not cloud much in my opinion, nothing a canister full of filter floss didn't take care of. results may vary though and it's time consuming for a large tank.

Mark1 · 04-03-2007, 07:08 PM

Well, that zip-lock bag is a great idea. My tank isn't very big - 30" x 12", 29gal. Not sure which way to go or if it's worth doing at this point.

Momotaro · 04-03-2007, 07:12 PM

Laterite can be added to an established aquarium with minimal mess and effort.

Grab an ice cube tray. Add some laterite and some water. Place the tray in the freezer. Once frozen, push the "laterite cubes" under your substrate.

Mike

Mark1 · 04-03-2007, 07:41 PM

Wow! Substrate freeze-pops. These cool ideas just keep coming. I'm curious Momotaro, have you done this or did you just think it up? Very cool.

Storm_Rider · 04-03-2007, 08:14 PM

ice cubes are so small! i imagine this process takes a while. not to mention it'll change the temperature in your tank adding that much ice. but it is very innovative idea

now i'm going to have to look for something to try this with for the hell of it

milesm · 04-04-2007, 11:04 PM

i make laterite balls: add water to make laterite mud, roll into balls, bake at 250 for 30 min. let cool. push balls deep into substrate.

Mark1 · 04-05-2007, 02:53 AM

Another good idea! What size do you make these and how far apart would you put these in a 30"x12" tank? Thanks.

04-03-2007, 05:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
Mark1 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA Posts: 7	Can I (should I) add Laterite to an established tank? I have an existing 30" long tank with a gravel substrate and no plants. Now I would like to grow some plants. Do you recommend adding laterite or something else rather than putting the plants right in the gravel? Can I grow certain plants right in the gravel? I would like to keep simple, low maintenance plants, so I do not need the "ideal" set up for a wide varierty of plants, but I'd like to do it right. Thanks.

04-03-2007, 05:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
frozenbarb Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (49/100%) Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: USA NY Posts: 2,294	I would start over dumping laterite in the tank will cloud up ur tank for months, take fishes out switch gravel and plants if you feel like going with ur regular gravel, 1-3mm sized gravel would work high light would be 3watts per gallon what about ur lights?, if u got low lights go with some java moss , some crypts, and other mosses __________________ One month in.

04-03-2007, 06:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
frozenbarb Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (49/100%) Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: USA NY Posts: 2,294	yes dependin on the lights you get java fern would be the best what is the size of ur gravel? __________________ One month in.

04-03-2007, 07:12 PM	#11 (permalink)
Momotaro Doesn't like Kool-Aid (View User Tanks) PTrader: (45/100%) Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Hawthorne, New Jersey Posts: 8,603	Laterite can be added to an established aquarium with minimal mess and effort. Grab an ice cube tray. Add some laterite and some water. Place the tray in the freezer. Once frozen, push the "laterite cubes" under your substrate. Mike __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

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04-03-2007, 05:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
Loyal to the Oil Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Calgary, Canada Posts: 165	I think he is saying that if you dumped in the laterite without removing the water, fish, plants, and gravel from the tank first then your water would be cloudy for months. You said you DO NOT want to start your tank over so i think the answer is "no" you should not add laterite. Instead plant plants that dont need the special substrate. Like the ones he mentioned above. Loyal to the Oil

04-03-2007, 06:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
Chrona Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Connecticut, USA Posts: 256	Or plants that feed primarily from the water column (or don't need to be rooted) like java fern.

04-03-2007, 06:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
Mark1 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA Posts: 7	O.K. Thank you for the answers. So, you all would not reccommend adding anything to the substrate. Can I get good growth from the plants you mention planted directly in the gravel?

04-03-2007, 06:23 PM	#8 (permalink)
Mark1 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA Posts: 7	I would estimate the gravel is about 2-3 mm or about 1/8". I probably don't have enough light - just a single 30" light strip but I could easily get a double light strip. Also, If I don't want to get into a fertilizer "program", would the fish produce enough nutrients for the plants? Thanks.

04-03-2007, 06:51 PM	#9 (permalink)
Storm_Rider Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (7/100%) Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 520	i'm just curious, why can't he just add the laterite and do lots of water changes. don't know if it will help, but when i had to add more flourite (or laterite i don't remember which anymore) to one of my tanks, i washed it lightly and put it into a giant ziplock bag that i lowered into the tank and then poured out the deep as possible. it did not cloud much in my opinion, nothing a canister full of filter floss didn't take care of. results may vary though and it's time consuming for a large tank.

04-03-2007, 07:08 PM	#10 (permalink)
Mark1 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA Posts: 7	Well, that zip-lock bag is a great idea. My tank isn't very big - 30" x 12", 29gal. Not sure which way to go or if it's worth doing at this point.

04-03-2007, 07:41 PM	#12 (permalink)
Mark1 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA Posts: 7	Wow! Substrate freeze-pops. These cool ideas just keep coming. I'm curious Momotaro, have you done this or did you just think it up? Very cool.

04-03-2007, 08:14 PM	#13 (permalink)
Storm_Rider Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (7/100%) Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 520	ice cubes are so small! i imagine this process takes a while. not to mention it'll change the temperature in your tank adding that much ice. but it is very innovative idea now i'm going to have to look for something to try this with for the hell of it

04-04-2007, 11:04 PM	#14 (permalink)
milesm Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: LOS Posts: 232	i make laterite balls: add water to make laterite mud, roll into balls, bake at 250 for 30 min. let cool. push balls deep into substrate.

04-05-2007, 02:53 AM	#15 (permalink)
Mark1 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA Posts: 7	Another good idea! What size do you make these and how far apart would you put these in a 30"x12" tank? Thanks.

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