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Sand Substrate + Fert Questions

1822 Views 13 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  discuspaul, 
EmeraldAlkaline
Hey guys, so I am about to set up a 20 gallon high to replace my 10 gallon and I want to actually do the substrate right this time. My 10 gallon was a fiendish mix of fluvial stratum and pet store gravel. I'd love to do the fluvial stratum again but at $16 for a 4.4 pound bag and needing 5 bags minimum if I follow the "pound per gallon" rule, It just doesn't make sense.

Now Ive heard a lot of people recommending the Pool Filter Sand and Blasting Sand, but upon calling the local pool supply store, they basically said they would have to special order it in, I could only order a bulk amount, and that rarely any pools run off a sand filter anymore. That being said, I was figuring now I'd just grab some of the 'aquarium sand' from my Petco that I work at. It seems good enough. I have it in my shrimp tank and betta tank along with root tabs and everything is growing fine. But is this aquarium sand okay to use? I havent heard much talk about it.

However, I want the 20 gallon to REALLY be good. So, my main question really is, Is it ok to use just the aquarium sand along with Seachem Flourish root tabs and normal dosing with Flourish and Flourish Excel? Will I get growth and sustained plants that way? Ive also heard to put dirt under the sand, but I don't know about going out and buying a huge bag of the organic miracle gro potting soil for an inch layer in my tank. What are your guy's thoughts?
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L
That's news to me about not using pool filter sand, from a pool supply company! Sand filters are still the standard in the industry, and the sand is easy to find in my town, by the bag. But that's not helpful for your issue, so I defer to those more knowledgeable. Black Diamond blasting grit is a great option, so maybe you can find that from an industrial paint supply place. It's the stuff they use in sand blasters to clean metal before repainting. (I used to have a job where I was carrying bags of it all day and trying to keep it out of my underwear... never thought I'd want to bring some home!) I'm still reading up on the dirt-under-sand idea too... You could always use the excess soil in a dry planter for some nice veggies!
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EmeraldAlkaline
Luke13 said:
That's news to me about not using pool filter sand, from a pool supply company! Sand filters are still the standard in the industry, and the sand is easy to find in my town, by the bag. But that's not helpful for your issue, so I defer to those more knowledgeable. Black Diamond blasting grit is a great option, so maybe you can find that from an industrial paint supply place. It's the stuff they use in sand blasters to clean metal before repainting. (I used to have a job where I was carrying bags of it all day and trying to keep it out of my underwear... never thought I'd want to bring some home!) I'm still reading up on the dirt-under-sand idea too... You could always use the excess soil in a dry planter for some nice veggies!
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Kinda in a suburb area, nothing like that around here either. Only place I can think of is a Farm supply store, but that is a DRIVE. Any opinions on the pet store "aquarium sand". I would bargain its just blasting sand or PFS in a fancy bag :p. And yeah. Any experience with the Root tabs+ liquid ferts with just sand?
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dukydaf
As long as it does not increase the KH and GH you are good to go. Pool sand is likely cheaper but when you add gas money and time... Liquid ferts(Ei) are enough for aquatic plants. Root tabs do no harm but can mess up the substrate.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using Tapatalk
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EmeraldAlkaline
dukydaf said:
As long as it does not increase the KH and GH you are good to go. Pool sand is likely cheaper but when you add gas money and time... Liquid ferts(Ei) are enough for aquatic plants. Root tabs do no harm but can mess up the substrate.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using Tapatalk
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well in my tiny tanks my KH and GH are the same as my 10 gallon so I should be good to go! and yes, Im aware but i'd of course bury the tabs deep enough so it wouldn't get exposed.
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Nlewis
EmeraldAlkaline said:
well in my tiny tanks my KH and GH are the same as my 10 gallon so I should be good to go! and yes, Im aware but i'd of course bury the tabs deep enough so it wouldn't get exposed.
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Have you checked walmart? I got mine there for $6.
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EmeraldAlkaline
Nlewis said:
Have you checked walmart? I got mine there for $6.
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huh ill have to look!
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L
Nlewis said:
Have you checked walmart? I got mine there for $6.
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I second that! I got my pool salt there, and I wouldn't be surprised if they had the sand too... Problem is their garden areas tend to be seasonally stocked.... but you're in FL where it's always pool season, so worth a look!
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ROYWS3
. . . or Lowe's or Home depot or your local hardware store. Any or all of these places usually has bagged pool filter sand
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discuspaul
Here's an example of PFS bought at a pool supply store - #20 grade density quartz-based white silica PFS - approx. $10.usd for 50 lbs.
Grows a variety of plants well in a low tech environment, using nothing but root tab ferts, and the occasional dosing of Excel & other liquid ferts.


URL=http://s1105.photobucket.com/user/discuspaul/media/FTS-Osaka260/CopyofFTS-saka260007.jpg.html]
[/URL]

Bump: Somewhat pricy, but you can order good PFS from Amazon.com - see Aqua-Quartz brand & others in the link below:

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_4_12/153-2416184-2848514?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=pool+filter+sand&sprefix=pool+filter+%2Caps%2C244&crid=2D4SBEX9866RD

Bump: If link not working, just go to Amazon site & search: pool filter sand.
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O
discuspaul said:
Here's an example of PFS bought at a pool supply store - #20 grade density quartz-based white silica PFS - approx. $10.usd for 50 lbs.
Grows a variety of plants well in a low tech environment, using nothing but root tab ferts, and the occasional dosing of Excel & other liquid ferts.


URL=http://s1105.photobucket.com/user/discuspaul/media/FTS-Osaka260/CopyofFTS-saka260007.jpg.html]
[/URL]

Bump: Somewhat pricy, but you can order good PFS from Amazon.com - see Aqua-Quartz brand & others in the link below:

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_...refix=pool+filter+,aps,244&crid=2D4SBEX9866RD

Bump: If link not working, just go to Amazon site & search: pool filter sand.
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What plants have you been able to successfully grow in PFS with root tabs?
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discuspaul
oval291 said:
What plants have you been able to successfully grow in PFS with root tabs?
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Several varieties of Echinodorus (Swords), Jumbo Vals & Corkscrew Vals, Jumbo Grasses, Anubias, Crypts, Lotuses (Nymphaea), Ludwigia, Hygrophilas, Rotalas, Blyxas, Bacopas, and Sags.
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discuspaul said:
Several varieties of Echinodorus (Swords), Jumbo Vals & Corkscrew Vals, Jumbo Grasses, Anubias, Crypts, Lotuses (Nymphaea), Ludwigia, Hygrophilas, Rotalas, Blyxas, Bacopas, and Sags.
Click to expand...
Thanks so much...Quick question is the attached plant a Rotala?

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discuspaul
No.
Could be Cabomba or a type of Water Sprite - not sure from the pic.
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