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Thuds
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Location: Mumbai
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 Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2017 1:37 pm Post subject: Planted Tank Substrate |
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Dear All,
I was away on vacation for three month and was forced to strip my tank early August, 2017.
Now that I am back need to restart/redo my planted tank all over again.
Need your expert advise on Iwagumi setup, have the stone layout in place but need to change the substrate,
which I have used for over two years now and it seems to have lost its nutrients.
I have a medium light planted tank with compressed CO2, the plants I intend to use are Eleocharis Parvula Japanese
(Both Sides of the Rocks), Micranthemum Monte Carlo (Middle between the Rocks), Hydrocotyle Tripartita Honda
(Behind the Rocks on both side), and to add a dash of red colour I intend to use Alternanthera reineckii “mini”
Guidance the tank is 30"L X 18" W X 18" H. Therefore, need your suggestions new Substrate and my Plant Choice.
Thuds |
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mistryde
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Posts: 187
Location: Thane
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| Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2017 9:16 am Post subject: Re: Planted Tank Substrate |
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Hi,
Please specify your budget for the substrate and which substrate you're using now. Most branded substrates won't loose their qualities in 2 yrs. Maybe you can still use it.
Carpets like Monte Carlo and most red plants need high light to grow to their true potential.
I have used Control soil with fantastic results for the last 4 yrs. It does not break much. I've even shifted my setup once to my new place. I highly recommend this soil. On the budget side river sand may be a good option. You can use ADA power sand as the base for better results. If you have the cash, go for the full fledged ADA substrate and additives.
I'll be happy to help you further if required. I stay at Thane. |
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Thuds
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| Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2017 11:56 am Post subject: Re: Planted Tank Substrate |
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Deepak,
Thanks for your response I have been using Contro Soil but in July, 2017 had difficulty in growing Eleocharis Parvula Japanese (DHG) with high light and CO2, photo period 7 hours.
Prior to this have used AZOO substrate covered with golden sand for my medium light Dutch style planted tank for a long period not sure how many years.
Thuds |
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Mortis
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| Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2017 6:18 pm Post subject: Re: Planted Tank Substrate |
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Hi, how are you doing ? Try Cal Aqua substrate its quite good. The granules release very little ammonia and have a solid coating so they dont crumble as easily.
PS : How are you doing Deepak ? |
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mistryde
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| Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2017 7:15 pm Post subject: Re: Planted Tank Substrate |
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| Thuds wrote (View Post):
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Deepak,
Thanks for your response I have been using Contro Soil but in July, 2017 had difficulty in growing Eleocharis Parvula Japanese (DHG) with high light and CO2, photo period 7 hours.
Prior to this have used AZOO substrate covered with golden sand for my medium light Dutch style planted tank for a long period not sure how many years.
Thuds
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Contro soil is a fantastic soil, no worries with that. Problem must be something else like lights, dosing, water chemistry etc. You need to research a bit. Even I had many plants growing exceedingly well and some species never lasted a even a month in the same conditions.
If the granules are not broken give it another try. You'll save a lot of money. |
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Thuds
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Joined: Jun 28, 2011
Posts: 659
Location: Mumbai
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| Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2017 12:27 pm Post subject: Re: Planted Tank Substrate |
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Nirant,
Thanks for your recommendation CAL Black Earth Premium Soil in indeed good from the reviews on the net. Will go for it, however, are there two different types i.e. gravel and powder also where I can locally purchase this substrate.
Was in the USA and have picked up Satellite Planted Plus pro LED 24” – 36” for my tank not sure this would put me in the high or medium light.
Website: https://current-usa.com/aquarium-led-lights/satellite-led-fixtures/satellite-led-pro/ model 4011 with output of 30W.
Your comments/thoughts on plants etc. appreciated.
Thuds |
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Blesson87
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| Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2017 12:33 pm Post subject: Re: Planted Tank Substrate |
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| You could try eco complete... Heard good reviews about that. In my experience though don't go for Ada aqua soil... Crumbles into dust a lot. Initially leeches ammonia and have been battling Nitrates forever if I don't gravel vacuum. |
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Thuds
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| Posted: Sat Nov 04, 2017 1:37 pm Post subject: Re: Planted Tank Substrate |
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Hi Guys,
CAL Black Earth Premium Soil comes in two varieties one is 3/4 mm granules and the other is in powder form 0.5/1 mm size.
I am toying with the idea of using granules at the bottom and top it up with the powder for ease of planting foreground plants.
Your suggestions and thoughts welcome.
Thuds |
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Mortis
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Joined: Apr 14, 2006
Posts: 1968
Location: Mumbai
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| Posted: Sat Nov 04, 2017 9:39 pm Post subject: Re: Planted Tank Substrate |
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| Thuds wrote (View Post):
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Hi Guys,
CAL Black Earth Premium Soil comes in two varieties one is 3/4 mm granules and the other is in powder form 0.5/1 mm size.
I am toying with the idea of using granules at the bottom and top it up with the powder for ease of planting foreground plants.
Your suggestions and thoughts welcome.
Thuds
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Hi, get the normal gravel type only of Cal Aqua. Its got mix particle sizes and about 25% of the granules are "powder" size only so you dont need to go for the powder type separately.
The light you picked up should put you just about in the medium light category. |
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mistryde
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| Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2017 8:08 pm Post subject: Re: Planted Tank Substrate |
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| Thuds wrote (View Post):
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Hi Guys,
CAL Black Earth Premium Soil comes in two varieties one is 3/4 mm granules and the other is in powder form 0.5/1 mm size.
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I agree. It becomes much easier to plant delicate small plants precisely that way. Initially I had bought the 4mm Contro soil. I had difficulty in planting some carpet plants. I topped it up with powder and planting became much easier. Also the smaller grain size makes the scale look slightly bigger. |
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peeyooshk
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Joined: Jul 31, 2013
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Location: New Delhi
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| Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2017 1:00 pm Post subject: Re: Planted Tank Substrate |
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| You can use Tropica as well. Comes in both powder and granules. |
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Thuds
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Joined: Jun 28, 2011
Posts: 659
Location: Mumbai
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| Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2017 11:44 am Post subject: Re: Planted Tank Substrate |
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Nirhant,
Thanks for your guidance regarding the CAL Black Earth Premium Soil, noted.
Based on the light will I be able to grow the proposed plants listed.
Also where do I order CAL Black Earth Premium Soil from, do we have a local vendor from where I can procure.
Thuds |
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Thuds
Regular Poster on IAH
Joined: Jun 28, 2011
Posts: 659
Location: Mumbai
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Mortis
Committed Member of IAH
Joined: Apr 14, 2006
Posts: 1968
Location: Mumbai
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| Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2017 7:36 pm Post subject: Re: Planted Tank Substrate |
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| Your light should be fine. You can contact Ryan at Ferns aqua studio for Cal Aqua he should have it in stock |
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Thuds
Regular Poster on IAH
Joined: Jun 28, 2011
Posts: 659
Location: Mumbai
Status: Offline
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| Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2017 12:10 pm Post subject: Re: Planted Tank Substrate |
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Hi Guys,
While I am in the process of redoing my planted tank I need to place something at the bottom of my tank essentially to raise the rock formation.
Am sure some of you would have done this to reduce the stress on the bottom glass and lift the aquarium decorations, any suggestion in this regards appreciated.
Thuds |
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