I just got my Fluval Spec V today. I'm planning on getting substrate and plants this weekend. I need some help with substrate.
My tank interior dimension is around 17"(L) x 6.5"(W) x 10"(H).
Shrimp will be red cherry at first. May do crystal red when I'm ready for it.
Can I get by with 1" substrate and cap that with 1" of Black Diamond fine blasting abrasives? What's the minimum depth for substrate. Can I use cap? Is it going to defeat the purpose of the substrate I'm planning to use (see below). I want to use Black Diamond for the look. I don't want total substrate too deep since my tank is small and short.
Originally, I planned to use Aquasolum black humate because it's sold as substrate for planted shrimp tank and I can get it locally. It's kinda expensive. One bag only cover 1" depth. I may move all substrate to cover 2/3 of the tank and the rest cover with sand only. My design has no plant on 1/3 of the tank.
Another local options is Caribsea Flora-Max. It's cheaper but the package is bigger. $$$ saving is not that much but I'll have lots of it.
The 3rd local options is Flourite Black. I've read somewhere saying it has copper. Is it suitable for a shrimp tank?
Finally, Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum or ADA Aqua soil Amazonia online.
The most important is easy to maintain and worry free. Like no unwanted chemical leak or substrate break down after a period of time. The next is helping plant glow because I'm not going to do CO2 or dosing. Of course cost effective is good. Who doesn't want to save money. However, I don't want to save a little money and cost me dearly long term.
Thanks!
My tank interior dimension is around 17"(L) x 6.5"(W) x 10"(H).
Shrimp will be red cherry at first. May do crystal red when I'm ready for it.
Can I get by with 1" substrate and cap that with 1" of Black Diamond fine blasting abrasives? What's the minimum depth for substrate. Can I use cap? Is it going to defeat the purpose of the substrate I'm planning to use (see below). I want to use Black Diamond for the look. I don't want total substrate too deep since my tank is small and short.
Originally, I planned to use Aquasolum black humate because it's sold as substrate for planted shrimp tank and I can get it locally. It's kinda expensive. One bag only cover 1" depth. I may move all substrate to cover 2/3 of the tank and the rest cover with sand only. My design has no plant on 1/3 of the tank.
Another local options is Caribsea Flora-Max. It's cheaper but the package is bigger. $$$ saving is not that much but I'll have lots of it.
The 3rd local options is Flourite Black. I've read somewhere saying it has copper. Is it suitable for a shrimp tank?
Finally, Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum or ADA Aqua soil Amazonia online.
The most important is easy to maintain and worry free. Like no unwanted chemical leak or substrate break down after a period of time. The next is helping plant glow because I'm not going to do CO2 or dosing. Of course cost effective is good. Who doesn't want to save money. However, I don't want to save a little money and cost me dearly long term.
Thanks!