Substrate

madmatrixz3000 · 03-10-2005, 02:53 PM

Ok so I have a thirty gallon tank that I am setting up as we speak. I just put in the first of two twenty-five pound bags of gravel and I was wondering how many inches of substrate do I need for live plants?

**Fishfirst** · 03-10-2005, 03:25 PM

I'm afraid usually gravel is to coarse for live plants... but I could be wrong... best to post this in the aquatic plant forum

turtlehead · 03-10-2005, 03:31 PM

3 inches is best for plants.

**Damon** · 03-10-2005, 03:40 PM

Gravel is indeed not suitable for plants but you can grow some species in it. Sand would have been a better choice and cheaper if money is (was) an issue. 3 inches is best but without a proper substrate, it will make it harder.

turtlehead · 03-10-2005, 04:19 PM

bad sand will compacted though, makine it had to root. I would buy 3mm - 5mm sized gravel if you are going that route and add plant tabs..

madmatrixz3000 · 03-11-2005, 12:46 PM

The gravel I have in the thirty gallon is very tiney and I had to use the smallest strainer I could find to clean the things because of their size

DavidDoyle · 03-11-2005, 02:16 PM

The gravel is fine but you should add laterite to the bottom 1 to 1.5 inches when setting up the tank. Final depth should be 3-4 inches.

I notice you list 2 channel cats in your 20 gallon. If you do a google on channel cats you will notice you get back game fish sites not aquarium related sites. These fish get to be 60lbs and do not belong in any of the tanks listed in your signature.

Please do the right thing and return them to where ever you got them and get fish more appropriate for the tanks you have or else get a substantially larger tank for them.

03-10-2005, 02:53 PM	#1
madmatrixz3000 Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 88	Substrate Ok so I have a thirty gallon tank that I am setting up as we speak. I just put in the first of two twenty-five pound bags of gravel and I was wondering how many inches of substrate do I need for live plants?

03-10-2005, 03:25 PM	#2
Fishfirst Fish Guru Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Northern Wisconsin Age: 24 Posts: 3,541	I'm afraid usually gravel is to coarse for live plants... but I could be wrong... best to post this in the aquatic plant forum __________________ 210 Gal Reef w/ 55 Gallon Sump/Fuge, 125 Gal Fish Only, 65 Gal Seahorse-29 Gallon Sump, 55 Gal FOWLR, 54 Gal Corner FW Community, 20 Gal Nano FOWLR, 55 Gal Piranha, 29 gallon QT "All the yellow tangs and clownfish in the world can't save you now! hahahah" Peter from Family Guy

03-10-2005, 03:31 PM	#3
turtlehead Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 203	3 inches is best for plants. __________________ http://glassaqua.tk/ - finally got off my lazy rear and did something

03-10-2005, 03:40 PM	#4
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	Re: Substrate Gravel is indeed not suitable for plants but you can grow some species in it. Sand would have been a better choice and cheaper if money is (was) an issue. 3 inches is best but without a proper substrate, it will make it harder. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

03-10-2005, 04:19 PM	#5
turtlehead Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 203	bad sand will compacted though, makine it had to root. I would buy 3mm - 5mm sized gravel if you are going that route and add plant tabs.. __________________ http://glassaqua.tk/ - finally got off my lazy rear and did something

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03-11-2005, 12:46 PM	#6
madmatrixz3000 Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 88	Re: Substrate The gravel I have in the thirty gallon is very tiney and I had to use the smallest strainer I could find to clean the things because of their size

03-11-2005, 02:16 PM	#7
DavidDoyle Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Age: 89 Posts: 497	Re: Substrate The gravel is fine but you should add laterite to the bottom 1 to 1.5 inches when setting up the tank. Final depth should be 3-4 inches. I notice you list 2 channel cats in your 20 gallon. If you do a google on channel cats you will notice you get back game fish sites not aquarium related sites. These fish get to be 60lbs and do not belong in any of the tanks listed in your signature. Please do the right thing and return them to where ever you got them and get fish more appropriate for the tanks you have or else get a substantially larger tank for them.

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