How long does it last

[C2C]

How long does Flourite last

[bradac56]

Flourite only has trace Fe so it's good for along time before it turns to mush. I've used it for three years at a time without problems but I dose water column ferts so I don't depend on the substrate to do anything but give a good CEC count. The same is true for Eco in my opinion there both about the same in my book.

- Brad

[AzFishKid]

Years, i think.

[C2C]

is it worth it if im doing vals and dwarf sag only in certain places
and im doing shelldwelling cichlids...its probably better to do root tabs huh

[Brian A]

If you are just doing limited planting I would say get the substrate you want and then add the root tabs.

[C2C]

i was just thinking that i should use fluorite cause it costs about the same as my preferred substrate
the only plants i would have would be vals, dwarf sag, anubias and java ferns

but it would only be for certain areas so i guess its not really worth it

[sewingalot]

Originally Posted by bradac56

Flourite only has trace Fe so it's good for along time before it turns to mush. I've used it for three years at a time without problems but I dose water column ferts so I don't depend on the substrate to do anything but give a good CEC count. The same is true for Eco in my opinion there both about the same in my book.

- Brad

Actually, there is more to flourite than iron as you are stating. Take a look at this link: http://www.seachem.com/Products/prod.../Flourite.html There are also alternate sites confirming there is more than iron as well. This is straight from the website:

"Flourite® is a red clay based gravel that is rich in ferric iron. Comparing Flourite® and laterite on the basis of their iron content alone is not a really valid comparison since they are really quite different products (the old apple and oranges argument). Their iron content is going to be roughly pretty similar, but with each the actual content can vary from lot to lot. Since we don't market it as an iron supplement, we don't make any claims on exactly how much iron it delivers to the water per se. What it does do though is provide a rich source of iron (more than enough to last years) for rooting plants... the plants are able to extract the iron from the Flourite®. There are also other features of Flourite which make it superior to laterite: (1) laterite is intended as a substrate supplement, i.e. you add it to your gravel... by itself it is not a suitable substrate because it will quickly break apart into, well, dirt (2) Flourite® is by itself a suitable substrate because it remains solid, does not fall apart,and can be cleaned and gravel vacuumed without unduly upsetting the substrate."

Now, as for my own experience, I have had it for over a year and it is still rock solid. Also, there are other's to go by: http://www.vickisaquaticplace.com/p45gal.html

C2C - I haven't regretted the day I purchased flourite. I started out with hornwort and a few basic stems of foxtail. After getting flourite, I was able to grow everything. It is worth the expense in my opinion. I have just gravel tanks, turface and flourite tanks. The flourite is the best with turface close behind.

[daverockssocks]

I've had the same Flourite for 4 years and things grow as well now as they did when it as new.

[MarkMc]

I've had it at least 4-5 years and it still grows plants well. It is hard to plant small plants in it though because of the larger grain size. I'm pretty confident that it never turns to mush as was stated by another poster.

[C2C]

ok so you have changed my mind...im going to get black but should i get sand cause its softer and i can plant things easier later on

[C2C]

Is 4x65watt pc lights over a 60 gallon enough light for vals, dwarf sags, and dwarf hairgrass

[plantbrain]

Decades, your personal taste will change before you need to replace it due to any changes in the flourite itself.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[C2C]

ok cool ill try the sand
seems like itll be gentler on my plants when they start to grow
black sand...got to see if my boss will order 12 bags for me and his son

[nismo tetra]

yea that amount of light is plenty. That is 4.3 watts a gallon, a bit on the high side. What kind of lights are they? You may not need all of that.

[Riiz]

Originally Posted by C2C

Is 4x65watt pc lights over a 60 gallon enough light for vals, dwarf sags, and dwarf hairgrass

2x65watt is all you will need in a 60gal. They are shallow tanks and light will not have any trouble maintaining more than adequate levels at the substrate.