griffrat

Greetings all. I have a few questions about some substrate that i am thinking about including in my new 125g.

First, I need to explain the overall goal of what the wife and I wanting to achieve. We are going with the idea of a planted tank with a black substrate. Now the problem is which type of substrate to go with..


I am a big fan of the Tahitian Moon Black Sand and the wife is big fan of black rock (the epoxy coated type). I like the sand as we are going to be going with more of a chiclid tank (tap water is a natural pH of ~7.5-8.0) and I really like the idea of the little guys burrowing. However, the wife is afraid that a fine layer of algae will cover the black sand and it will look tacky or unpleasant to the eye.

I am thinking about getting a "Python" type vacuum to aid with the water changes and the overall maintenance of the 125. So I guess with the background info above and the overall black theme is there a distinct advantage to the maintenance or is there really going to be an algae problem?

Thanks for the advice and the guidance!!

Randall

If you are planning on rooted plants,the rock would be better than the sand for that.As far as algae,it will grow just as easy on gravel as sand.It really depends on how long the lights in the tank are on,if any sunlight gets to the tank,how the tank is stocked,how much the fish are fed and how often you clean the tank.The substrate has nothing to do with algae growth.Pythons are definetly the way to go for gravel vacs and water changes.

Dino

The problem with a one colored substrate is that EVERY speck of poo, dead leaves, whatever, is obviously visible.
Though the black less so than the white sand.

I assume you are aware of the cost of doing a 125 in this substrate?

Another clue in, do not use the water pressure on full blast for the python, or you will rapidly be removing substrate.

All in all, it sounds like a very nice tank, but to keep it that way, will require extra work.

griffrat

Thanks for the quick responses!!!

First, on the cost of the substrate, I kinda noticed that. To help keep the cost down I picked up around 40 lbs. of grey slate today. When this stuff is wet it is black and it is mainly going to be taking up space on the bottom of the tank and saving on the space. On the plant issue I was thinking on mixing the sand with some of the seachem's black flourite. This way I don't have to mess with mixing a liquid fertilizer.

I guess I should have added that to the background. Sorry, it was a long weekend. In the interest of full disclosure.....

The tank is going to have five jellybean bloodparrot fish, the darn things are so dang ugly that they are cool. And, some dwarf chiclids, I am thinking about either some kribs or some rams, not sure. And then then round out the bioload. Not really sure.

This is where the substrate issue comes in as the bright colors of the fish and the dark contrast of the substrate I think will look awesome!!

I don't mind the extra work of cleaning the substrate. As I find this to be somewhat therapeutic. Dino, thanks about the tip on the water pressure.

thanks again for the tips and the advice.....it is greatly appreciated