Substrate/aquascaping For New Plants

HI all -
I'm very excited that I found a local guy selling aquarium plants. I have crappy substrate for plants, so he sold me two Vallisneria american (American Val), but they are currently sitting in the tank in soil covered by gravel, in plastic cups. My thoughts: separating the current red rock and having two different substate. Does that sound viable? Does anyone have a tank like that for inspiration that you could post? I could do Red in the center, and something else on the outside. That will build up my substrate higher, and give me something on the side to actually plant the Val.

Questions:
- What substrate is recommended? Sand? Gravel?
- Is there something tricky to doing two substrate? Do I have any considerations when moving stuff on the bottom around? Should I vacuum it first? I'm in the midst of cycling the tank (hopefully, the plants help). Should I just wait?
- How much should I buy? I bought this tank used, so I'm unsure of how much would be enough. It's a 48 gallon tall tank. Would a 20 lb bag be enough? 2 bags? More?
- Would you suggest just changing ALL of the substrate?

I'm looking forward to my first planted tank.

James

 

1. Sand
2. Yes, vacuum it first
3. You need a layer of substrate about 3 inches thick in all areas
4. Yes.

 

Depending on the plant choice, pretty much any substrate can work. Root feeders may need root tabs, but otherwise they can do fine in gravel as well as sand. Stem plants and floaters don't need a substrate at all to flourish.

 

If the red gravel is intended to remain visible then I’d say remove it to a bucket. Dump in some sand, then place the red gravel where you want it.

What is the footprint of the tank? You’ll probably need 2x 50lbs bags of sand. For 3” a footprint of 48x12 takes 100lbs of sand.

Black Diamond blasting sand is $8/50lbs. Pool filter sand is close to the same price

 

What are the dimensions of the tank?

 

What are the dimensions of the tank?

The tank is (close approximation) 37 1/2 wide, 19 wide, 12 1/2 deep. The intention is either to keep red in center from front to back, and make two zones of sand or gravel to contrast - to the left and right of the red in the center - OR to change it all to the same color. I didn't choose the red rocks, it was a used tank. I think the contrast may look good, and it would be cheaper - but I'm not sold.

With those dimensions, would you still say 100lb of sand or gravel to make a 3'' base? My fish right now are corys and platys (since its cycling, there are only 6 total fish - was planning 12 total corys, 6 platys, and some other kind of schooling fish - I saw some dalmation mollies which looked good - and some kind of signature fish - german ram is a consideration. Considering those fish, are there any issues keeping the red if I choose? I read somewhere that corys may not do well with hard rock?

Thanks for the comments so far!

James

 

On top of my above question - one last thing. I saw that Petco has a 10 dollar off coupon when you buy 30 - perfect time to buy substrate. Looking at the brands, is there a big difference. In reading the reviews, the Imagitarium brand seems to color their sand. Is this common? Is there really a huge quality difference between brands, or is it just for looks?

Here's a link:


THANKS!

James

 

The tank is (close approximation) 37 1/2 wide, 19 wide, 12 1/2 deep. The intention is either to keep red in center from front to back, and make two zones of sand or gravel to contrast - to the left and right of the red in the center - OR to change it all to the same color. I didn't choose the red rocks, it was a used tank. I think the contrast may look good, and it would be cheaper - but I'm not sold.

With those dimensions, would you still say 100lb of sand or gravel to make a 3'' base? My fish right now are corys and platys (since its cycling, there are only 6 total fish - was planning 12 total corys, 6 platys, and some other kind of schooling fish - I saw some dalmation mollies which looked good - and some kind of signature fish - german ram is a consideration. Considering those fish, are there any issues keeping the red if I choose? I read somewhere that corys may not do well with hard rock?

Thanks for the comments so far!

James

You can do it however you’d like. Personally, I like to have a more natural or darker colored substrate. You can keep the red if you’d like, There would be no problem, other than hurting your eyes .

You can do play sand from home depot if you’d like, many people use it and it’s way cheaper. It’s around $5 for 50 pounds. 100 pounds of substrate might be pushing it, vals are super easy plants so they can grow in basically anything. Also, 3” of sand might get you anaerobic pockets, which aren’t all that bad for other reasons but bad for roots.

Depending on what cories you go with would depend on the GBR. Some cories usually prefer cooler temps than GBRs. They would do okay on the gravel, cories like to scavenge and dig into sand, but they would do okay is that gravel.

On top of my above question - one last thing. I saw that Petco has a 10 dollar off coupon when you buy 30 - perfect time to buy substrate. Looking at the brands, is there a big difference. In reading the reviews, the Imagitarium brand seems to color their sand. Is this common? Is there really a huge quality difference between brands, or is it just for looks?

Here's a link:


THANKS!

James

From what I have read is that sand is basically crushed coral, meaning it’ll raise your Ph. It is painted with a colored epoxy, as are most substrates, I believe.

 

You can do it however you’d like. Personally, I like to have a more natural or darker colored substrate. You can keep the red if you’d like, There would be no problem, other than hurting your eyes .

You can do play sand from home depot if you’d like, many people use it and it’s way cheaper. It’s around $5 for 50 pounds. 100 pounds of substrate might be pushing it, vals are super easy plants so they can grow in basically anything. Also, 3” of sand might get you anaerobic pockets, which aren’t all that bad for other reasons but bad for roots.

Depending on what cories you go with would depend on the GBR. Some cories usually prefer cooler temps than GBRs. They would do okay on the gravel, cories like to scavenge and dig into sand, but they would do okay is that gravel.


From what I have read is that sand is basically crushed coral, meaning it’ll raise your Ph. It is painted with a colored epoxy, as are most substrates, I believe.

Great info here - thanks!

So this would work?

If so, just one bag or two to fill my tank?

Thanks a bunch!

James

 

Great info here - thanks!

So this would work?

If so, just one bag or two to fill my tank?

Thanks a bunch!

James

This is the sand that most use:

Just know *This sand is very dusty*. You will need to rinse it a few times before you add it to your tank. But one bag should be fine.

If you have any pool supply stores near you, Id check to see if they sell pool filter sand as that would be much better sand.

 

If you prefer black sand, then you can use black diamond blasting sand. It's inexpensive and comes in a medium grit as well as a fine (try to get medium). It's about $8 for 50 lbs. I got mine at Tractor Supply. I'm using it currently in 3 of my 5 tanks. I've always had gravel so it's been a learning curve thing for me when it comes to vacuuming hehe.

 

This is the sand that most use:

Just know *This sand is very dusty*. You will need to rinse it a few times before you add it to your tank. But one bag should be fine.

If you have any pool supply stores near you, Id check to see if they sell pool filter sand as that would be much better sand.

My wife was going shopping near Home Depot, so I showed her the picture of the one you linked and asked her to pick me up a 50lb bag. Of course, she came home with this instead:

Same company, a slightly lighter color. Just making sure that it won't hurt the tank

James

 

My wife was going shopping near Home Depot, so I showed her the picture of the one you linked and asked her to pick me up a 50lb bag. Of course, she came home with this instead:

Same company, a slightly lighter color. Just making sure that it won't hurt the tank

James

That should be fine as long as you rinse it well.

 

Play sand is going to need a LOT of washing. You'd be better off with pool filter sand and from reviews I've seen if you go the pool filter sand route avoid Quikretes product You want a #20 silica sand. It's inert (won't raise or lower the pH) and it's relatively clean (it doesn't clump or have clay in it). Good luck!