[Fajita]

hello there...new to the forum and have a question for all you planted tank junkies...here goes, i have used both flourite and black sand as substrate for planted tanks in the past with excellent results. my question is would it be a good idea to use flourite as base layer with sand as top layer of my newly aquired 55 gallon which i plan to set up as a heavily planted tank?....things to consider is the fact that every square inch will be planted, i will supplement with fertilizers, and finally as always i will use milaysian trumpet snails to turn over sand so as to help trapped methane escape (they have done an oustanding job at this in my "sand only" tank)

any input will be appreciated but i am on a budget so no expensive ideas please:red_mouth
thanks

 

[Tzac]

I would think the Flourite would need to be exposed to the water column to absorb nutrients from it.

 

[Knotyoureality]

The sand will filter down--smaller particles falling between the larger-and you'll very quickly end up with fluorite over sand rather than the reverse.

If you want sand on top, just go with the sand.

 

[antec]

I agree, the sand will make its way in between the flourite. I personally lay egg crate first, then lay down organic potting soil just enough so that it covers the egg crate. Then I lay crush fert tablets and sprinkle over the soil. I then cover the soil with the substrate you desire. I have dark sand.

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[Fajita]

all good points thanks .....in that case i would much rather go with just flourite, however i am worried the trumpet snails will have trouble with burrowing in it to help aeration for roots as well as help release methane bubbles has anyone had experience with trumpet snails and flourite?....i only had them in my sand tank so i'm not sure

 

[Matthew003]

I have trumpet snails in a 10 gallon planted tank with dark flourite and the snails have no problems burrowing in it.

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[Fajita]

awesome, flourite it is thanks everyone!

 

[Fajita]

just as an update in case anyone is curious i decided to do 2 bags flora max for bottom layer and 2 bags flourite for top layer...the only reason i decided to not use flora max for the entire substrate is that flourite is slightly heavier to hold plants in while they root...so it works quite well as a top layer...and flora max has quite a bit more nutrients than flourite making it a good bottom layer (at least untill the nutrients are absorbed)
thanks for the input evryone...iv'e been apart of several different forums but this is my favorite