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So Im on the verge of changing out my substrate in a couple tanks from blasting sand to ADA AS. Got a couple of questions...
The tanks I will be changing are a 75 gal, a 29 and a 20. All high light, co2, EI, etc, and I do have a tendency to uproot/move things around a lot.
I understand AS needs to be treated with a gentle hand any time it is disturbed, follow with a WC etc, so Im prepared to not be able to yank things up and re-stuff them with the same reckless abandon as I can do now with sand.
The reason I want to change is is for the KH lowering properties of AS. I use straight tap which is 7-8 KH (maybe a tad higher?) and it's proving difficult to grow some of the more demanding species I want like Tonina, erios, bv etc.
1) Would there be any benefit to capping the AS with sand? I realize before long it would probably all be mixed together, at least to some degree.
2) Is there any reason to, or not to...mix say 50/50 AS and the sand together?
Or would it be better to do away with the sand entirely and just go straight AS?
My concern is not really saving $$ by buying less AS, I just hate to shelve all this sand. Seems like a 50/50 blend would be.....alright?
Any advice from experienced peeps will be greatly appreciated.
TIA
The tanks I will be changing are a 75 gal, a 29 and a 20. All high light, co2, EI, etc, and I do have a tendency to uproot/move things around a lot.
I understand AS needs to be treated with a gentle hand any time it is disturbed, follow with a WC etc, so Im prepared to not be able to yank things up and re-stuff them with the same reckless abandon as I can do now with sand.
The reason I want to change is is for the KH lowering properties of AS. I use straight tap which is 7-8 KH (maybe a tad higher?) and it's proving difficult to grow some of the more demanding species I want like Tonina, erios, bv etc.
1) Would there be any benefit to capping the AS with sand? I realize before long it would probably all be mixed together, at least to some degree.
2) Is there any reason to, or not to...mix say 50/50 AS and the sand together?
Or would it be better to do away with the sand entirely and just go straight AS?
My concern is not really saving $$ by buying less AS, I just hate to shelve all this sand. Seems like a 50/50 blend would be.....alright?
Any advice from experienced peeps will be greatly appreciated.
TIA