Questions On Seachem Flourite Black Sand Substrate

Yesterday I bought a bag of Seachem “Flourite Black Sand” that says it is premium natural substrate for a planted aquarium. I plan to use it in a planted shrimp tank. Do I need to use root tabs still? I can also use Seachem Flourish.
Also, what’s the best way to rinse the sand for the tank?
Thanks.

 

Yep, it doesn't contain macronutrients so root feeders will appreciate root tabs as usual. What plants will you have?

 

Yes Flourite need to be rinsed thoroughly, the product is completely viable and will still offer the same benefit, You can also use a water clarifier like Clarity to clump any small free floating particles together making it easier for your mechanical filter to catch. Your cartridges/floss will tend to clog from all the particles being trapped and will need rinsing or replacing regularly. And I agree with -Mak- about root feeders

 

I would use root tabs. But don't overdue them or your nitrates will sky rocket (speaking from experience, unfortunately). As far as rinsing, I like to put about half the bag in a bucket (only used for fish purposes of course) and tilt it to the side a bit while holding the head of a hose down into the bottom of the sand. This will flush all the particulates out of the bottom and let the water run out the top. Rotate the bucket around in the same manner until the water runs nearly clear. There are probably other/better ways out there but this has always worked for me. Good luck!

 

Yep, it doesn't contain macronutrients so root feeders will appreciate root tabs as usual. What plants will you have?

I was thinking Rosette sword and Vesuvius sword. I may have some val too, but I only plan on the first two at the moment.
What’s the difference between this substrate and regular sand if it doesn’t benefit the plants?

Yes Flourite need to be rinsed thoroughly, the product is completely viable and will still offer the same benefit, You can also use a water clarifier like Clarity to clump any small free floating particles together making it easier for your mechanical filter to catch. Your cartridges/floss will tend to clog from all the particles being trapped and will need rinsing or replacing regularly. And I agree with -Mak- about root feeders

The filter will have a sponge over the intake. Hopefully that helps with the clogging problem.

I would use root tabs. But don't overdue them or your nitrates will sky rocket (speaking from experience, unfortunately). As far as rinsing, I like to put about half the bag in a bucket (only used for fish purposes of course) and tilt it to the side a bit while holding the head of a hose down into the bottom of the sand. This will flush all the particulates out of the bottom and let the water run out the top. Rotate the bucket around in the same manner until the water runs nearly clear. There are probably other/better ways out there but this has always worked for me. Good luck!

Thanks! I’ll try that method. Would a root tab every month and a half or so suffice?

 

Thanks! I’ll try that method. Would a root tab every month and a half or so suffice?

Of course! Mine last about 3 months. But I can just tell when mine are exhausted because my plants start to show a few signs of deficiency.

 

I was thinking Rosette sword and Vesuvius sword. I may have some val too, but I only plan on the first two at the moment.
What’s the difference between this substrate and regular sand if it doesn’t benefit the plants?

I was thinking Rosette sword and Vesuvius sword. I may have some val too, but I only plan on the first two at the moment.
What’s the difference between this substrate and regular sand if it doesn’t benefit the plants?

Rosette sword be alright but it needs Moderate to High lights, Vesuvius Sword could be little tricky lights Low to high no need co2 however it is a heavy root feeder, so will require a good quality plant substrate or root tabs.

 

Rosette sword be alright but it needs Moderate to High lights, Vesuvius Sword could be little tricky lights Low to high no need co2 however it is a heavy root feeder, so will require a good quality plant substrate or root tabs.

Well I guess I’ve got good substrate for it, and I’ll get some root tabs too.

 

I was thinking Rosette sword and Vesuvius sword. I may have some val too, but I only plan on the first two at the moment.
What’s the difference between this substrate and regular sand if it doesn’t benefit the plants?

Yeah, root tabs will be needed then. Honestly Flourite is like sand or gravel that contains micronutrients. It doesn't contain some of the more important macronutrients, which plants need in greater amounts.

 

I have read people who wash the substrate and then lay it out on a sheet to dry. They swear that method of allowing it to dry (until it's bone dry) keeps the substrate from clouding up their tank water!

I bought a bag of the stuff myself. I plan to use it for my potted aquarium plants.

 

If I wash the sand now and put it in clean water for a week in an empty tank, would the “nutrients” run out or something?

 

I just dumped it in right from the bag. Water was black for a few days but no worries, I had no fish in it yet. daily 10% changes and all was good. Ofc I don't recommend this though..

 

Sorry to hear you spent extra on that substrate. Unfortunately they market products which provide very little benefits as miracles. There's a reason any of my planted tanks are BDBS, and nothing else.

The only substrate I've heard which benefits plants really well, is soil, but it's a PITA to deal with.

 

I put mind in a tall bucket (I think I habe a 10 gallon? Not sure) in the bath tub (I live in an apartment no hose) and let the water run in it until it overflows...I letnit over flow for about 5-10 minutes then its usually ready to go into the aquarium. I only do about 10 lbs of substrate at a time like this though.

 

Update:
I set up the substrate and water and I put a filter inside. The water is still a little cloudy. Hopefully it should go down a little before next week. Right now I’m using the BacterAE to make some biofilm for this future shrimp tank. Meanwhile, the wood is floating in another tub to release tannins, and I’ll be able to order the plants next week.