Substrate for carpeting plants

[tropicalryan]

I am planning a tank redo.Its a 50 gallon, will have pressurized C02, dosing ferts, and 2 T5HO bulbs (39W). My last choice to consider is substrate. First I will just say I will not be using ADA aqua soil (even though I would like to) as it is much more expensive than anything else available (at least in Canada-50$$ per bag plus shipping)- like 2 or 3 times more expensive, which I cannot personally justify. My main concern is when it comes to carpeting plants, I want to grow dwarf hair grass but I have heard Fluoirte (black and regulator) are not good for growing carpet plants because they are too heavy and do not allow for the roots and plant to spread. And that Flourite sand compacts, not allowing the plant to spread. I was also considering Eco complete (which is more expensive than flourite) but would this cause the same problems for carpeting plants like hair grass?

- any advice, different choices or experiences would be appreciated!

 

[aquabillpers]

I am growing dwarf hairgrass in plain topsoil under gravel. It is thriving in a non-CO2 environment.

Bill

 

[Gerryd]

Hi,

I have grown HC, stauro repens 49, and glosso using black flourite. All roots look very healthy when pulled out. Stems and other rosettes included.

 

[tropicalryan]

Really? maybe the person I talked to was mistaken, would it be better to use the fluorite sand instead of the regular sized fluorite. I was thinking of using mineralized top soil and capping it with either regular sized fluorite or the sand version.

 

[Left C]

Azoo Plant Grower Bed is another option. It is $19 US at http://www.aquaticeco.com/subcategories/4014/AZOO-Plant-Substrate who are in Florida. Most places charge $27 US for it. I do not know what the pricing would be in Canada or if AquaticEcoSystems ships to Canada.

It comes in two colors: black and natural (brown). More info: http://www.azoo-aqua.com/detal.asp?pd_type=5&product_no=AZ11026&page=2&pdid=&kwd= and http://www.marinedepot.com/Azoo_Plant_Grower_Bed_Gravel_Substrate-Azoo-AZ11026-FWPCPG-vi.html

You can find many reviews when you Google. I haven't used it. I'm just mentioning it because it is another option.

 

[tropicalryan]

thanks, I did actually consider this substrate but couldn't find it in Canada and shipping from the US was usually around 60$$ for 1 bag! lol

 

[Tom Barr]

I vote for good dirt and the flourite sand.

Rice paddy clay soil is ideal.

 

[tropicalryan]

Ya i think that maybe the best route to go, my only concern was about the two layers mixing, but since they are same colour i guess it really wouldn't matter

 

[ubr0ke]

where in Canada are you?

 

[tropicalryan]

Windsor Ontario

 

[tropicalryan]

from what I have heard if I do the mineralized top soil (which I already have begun), I will not have to column dose ferts or at least dose a lot less- is this true?

 

[Gerryd]

from what I have heard if I do the mineralized top soil (which I already have begun), I will not have to column dose ferts or at least dose a lot less- is this true?

Yes. You may want to take some time and 'overdose' the water column (say 70-80% of EI to start) until you get a feel for how much ferts you need in the water column and what the MTS provides..

I wouldn't want to assume the MTS will cover all nutrient needs. Plus, it never hurts to have nutrients available in both the WC and the substrate.

 

[tropicalryan]

thanks, I will still column dose, just to make sure. One more thing I was wondering about mineralized top soil, I would like to lower the hardness of my water a little so I was thinking adding peat to the MTS, plus peat has great CEC; however, I have heard its a bad idea to add peat to MTS- any thoughts? reasons why its bad?